Growing Up With Dion: From “The Wanderer” to Son of Skip James
The following article was originally posted on Blogcritics.org and TheBluesBlogger site on December 15, 2007. I received some email requesting that I re-post the original article as many of my newer readers may not have seen this… As Dion has just recently released a new album called “Giants of Early Guitar Rock.” I thought the timing might be good… For more information on Dion’s new album you can go to the link located here. I hope you enjoy it.
-tbb
This weekend was really exciting for me. After several months of building up strength due my recent heart attack, I finally took my Golden Retriever Lucille for a walk. I missed going for walks with my dog as it was an opportunity for some exercise, some bonding time with my canine buddy and a chance to use my MP3 player.
I recently received a copy of Dion’s latest release Son of Skip James. I never really paid much attention to Dion’s career lately, so I didn’t know what to expect. I did recall reading that he was focusing more on his early blues influences, so I loaded the album on my MP3 and Lucille and I set out for our short journey.
Now I am not a music reviewer, so I won’t pretend to be. I didn’t feel the need to dig into any profound meanings or dwell on the historic detail of each song. I just wanted to go out for a walk with Lucille and let the music do its thing … Anyway …I started listening and I’ve got to admit, I really got into it . The album opens up with Dion’s rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Nadine.” and from there Willie Dixon’s “My Babe.” A tune made famous by recent Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Little Walter. As I listened to the third song; Junior Well’s “Hoodoo Man Blues” I knew I was going to be entertained by this. I found that each song held my attention and I didn’t feel the necessity of skipping ahead. This release is self produced and accompanied only by Dion’s acoustic guitar, great voice and only a few other musicians. The selection of tunes is fantastic. I have included the complete song listings and their original artists below:
TRACK LISTING/ ORIGINAL ARTIST
1. Nadine - Chuck Berry
2. My Babe - Willie Dixon
3. Hoodoo Man Blues - Junior Wells
4. Drop Down Mama - Sleepy John Estes
5. Hoochie Coochie Man- Muddy Waters
6. Baby I’m In the Mood For You - Bob Dylan
7. I’m a Guitar King - Tommy McClennan
8. The Thunderer- Dion
9. Interlude – Spoken Word - Dion
10. Son of Skip James - Dion
11. Preachin’ Blues- Robert Johnson
12. If I Had Possession (Over Judgement Day)- Robert Johnson
13. Devil Got My Woman - Skip James
14. Dust my Broom- Robert Johnson
15 I Just Wanna Make Love to You- Willie Dixon
As the album continued I got to a couple of Dion originals which can be heard on track’s 8 thru 10. These are excellent tunes that compliment the rest of the selections…. I kept trying to remember the last time I heard a Dion recording? One thing for sure, he never sounded like this to me before! Then as I normally do I drifted off and reflected on one of the many stories from my early childhood as told by my family and friends…
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