DION – Love Came to Me – (Laurie) – 1963

I’ve waxed lyrical about Dion before. Read my other posts in relation to biographical detail on Dion Francis DiMucci (his bio makes an interesting read). He was a relaxed rocker, a convincing doo wopper, a surprisingly gifted white bluesman, a gentle Jesus Freak, a passionate folk rocker, a expressive balladeer, a thoughtful singer songwriter and a entertaining MOR trad pop vocalist.

This album has elements of all the secular music above but it leans towards Bobby Darin trad pop (that is, trad pop infused with rock n roll brashness). Dion is a little gentler than (the great) Darin (but then who wasn’t) but he still has the right voice for the material.

Where the album falls is where most of the rock albums in the pre Beatles era – with the exception of Elvis – fall. And that is in consistency: the albums were usually rush jobs where a couple of hits were lumped in with filler made up of minor songs or covers of recent hits.

Here the “hits” ( “Love Came to Me” ,”Little Girl”) are accompanied by filler which seems to be made up of songs and B sides from other albums and singles. I have no evidence that the tracks were re-recorded for this album, and I expect not, but who knows?

In any event, I’m not saying all the songs are filler but their worth is variable. This album is not that different to others of it’s ilk but it’s “other” tracks are a cut above the average.

Tracks (best in italics)

Love Came To Me– written by Dion. Pretty good for what it is, which is white doo wop style pop. Amiable and engaging.
So Long Friend – effortless charm on Dion’s part. Sounds a bit like Jack Scott doing “Goodbye Baby” (especially in the backing vocals) before turning into something different.
Heaven Help Me – This moves into Everly Brothers territory
Then I’ll Be Tired Of You – a standard done by Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore, Nat King Cole and many others etc …
Kissin’ Game – written by Dion. Very tasty.
Candy Man – the Roy Orbison song – well sung and perhaps a little bluesier than Roy’s version. Good fun.
Little Girl – Dion wrote this romantic ballad.
I’m Gonna Make It Somehow – a gospel folk type number
P.S. I Love You – written by the great Johnny Mercer with Gordon Jenkins and famously sung by Billie Holiday on the "Stormy Blues” Verve label album.
Little Miss Blue – Not That different from Conway Twitty’s Little Boy Blue
Could Somebody Take My Place Tonight – the great song smiths Pomus & Schuman wrote this romantic pop tune for Dion.
Save The Last Dance For Me – the famous Drifters song.