Dion and the Belmonts

2 LPs ON 1 CD

KING OF THE NEW YORK STREETS
 

From the working class neighborhood of the Bronx, Dion and The Belmonts are one of the best rock and roll vocal groups of all time. Dressed in sharp suits and with their dark Italian good looks, they combined the image of urban-uptown slickness with street-rock impudence. Led by Dion DiMucci (aka “The Prince of the Bronx”, or “King of the New York Streets”), who had a compelling voice which was adaptable to sweet harmonising as well as rougher and readier pop and R&B, the group began their recording career in 1957 singing high-spirited songs with sunny harmonies, rocking numbers and doo-wop ballads.

This release features their two finest LPs, which were originally released on the Laurie label: Presenting Dion and The Belmonts (1959), and Wish Upon a Star (1960) They have been packaged together in this very special collector’s edition, which also includes 5 bonus tracks from the same period. Both albums helped define the exact nature of early NY vocal rock & roll and contain the commercial successes with which they made their name, such as “A Teenager In Love”, “Don’t Pity Me”, “Where or When” and “I Wonder Why.”

5 STARS by THE NEW YORK TIME

“Dion’s style is immediately identifiable and unique, his voice is strong and rich and profoundly pure. The sound is sensitive, tangible, full.” – Los Angeles Times

“Who could be hipper than Dion?” – Lou Reed

PERSONNEL:

DION DIMUCCI, lead vocals and guitar, plus:
THE BELMONTS:
Angelo D’Aleo (first tenor vocals),
Freddie Milano (second tenor and harmony vocals),
Carlo Mastrangelo (bass vocals and drums).

Recorded between 1958 and 1960 at Allegro Sound Studios
and Bell Sound Studios, New York City.
Note: since there were so many sessions, there may have been other studios used as well.

Also including:
16-PAGE BOOKLET - RARE PHOTOS - VINTAGE MEMORABILIA - DETAILED LINER NOTES

TRACKS:

PRESENTING DION AND THE BELMONTS
01. I WONDER WHY 2:21
02. WHERE OR WHEN 2:40
03. YOU BETTER NOT DO THAT 2:17
04. JUST YOU 2:33
05. I GOT THE BLUES 2:48
06. DON’T PITY ME 2:40
07. A TEENAGER IN LOVE 2:38
08. WONDERFUL GIRL 2:40
09. A FUNNY FEELING 2:16
10. I’VE CRIED BEFORE 2:50
11. THAT’S MY DESIRE 2:36
12. NO ONE KNOWS 2:39

WISH UPON A STAR
13. WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR 2:29
14. IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT 2:38
15. A LOVER’S PRAYER 2:21
16. MY PRIVATE JOY 2:05
17. MY DAY 2:15
18. SWINGING ON A STAR 2:26
19. ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE 2:17
20. IT’S ONLY A PAPER MOON 1:57
21. FLY ME TO THE MOON (IN OTHER WORDS) 2:41
22. I’M THROUGH WITH LOVE 2:17
23. WHEN THE RED, RED, ROBIN COMES BOB, BOB, BOBBIN’ ALONG 2:01
24. SEPTEMBER SONG 2:48

BONUS TRACKS
25. I CAN’T GO ON (ROSALIE) 2:17
26. TEEN ANGEL 2:15
27. FAITH 2:19
28. HEAVEN HELP ME 2:09
29. EVERY LITTLE THING I DO 2:00

TOTAL TIME: 70:05