King Of The New York Streets

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Product Details

Artist : Dion
Format : Best of, Box set
Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0724352867721
Label : EMI Music Canada
Number of Discs : 3
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 2001-02-06
UPC : 724352867721

ASIN : B00005228H

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. I Wonder Why [Session Talk] - Dion & the Belmonts
2. I Wonder Why - Dion & the Belmonts
3. Don't Pity Me - Dion & the Belmonts
4. Teenager in Love - Dion & the Belmonts
5. Where or When - Dion & the Belmonts
6. Wonderful Girl - Dion & the Belmonts
7. That's My Desire [Live] - Dion & the Belmonts
8. Lonely Teenager
9. Runaround Sue
10. Wanderer
11. Majestic
12. Life Is But a Dream [A Cappela Remix]
13. Little Star [A Cappella Remix]
14. Lovers Who Wander
15. (I Was) Born to Cry
16. Little Diane
17. Love Came to Me
18. Sandy
19. Will Love Ever Come My Way
20. Ruby Baby
21. Gonna Make It Alone
22. This Little Girl
23. Can't We Be Sweethearts
24. Donna the Prima Donna
25. Drip Drop
26. Spoonful
27. Baby, I'm in the Mood for You - Dion & the Wanderers
28. I Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound - Dion & the Wanderers
29. My Girl the Month of May

Disc-2
1. Abraham, Martin and John
2. Purple Haze
3. Dolphins
4. Daddy Rollin' in Your Arms
5. Your Own Back Yard
6. Sanctuary
7. Sunshine Lady
8. Running Close Behind You
9. Soft Parade of Years
10. New York City Song
11. Man in the Glass
12. Born to Be With You
13. If I Could Just Get Through Tonight
14. Way You Do the Things You Do
15. Guitar Queen
16. Lookin' for the Heart of Saturday Night
17. Midtown American Main Street Gang
18. We Don't Talk Anymore
19. Sweet Surrender

Disc-3
1. I Used to Be a Brooklyn Dodger
2. Spanish Harlem Incident
3. Truth Will Set You Free
4. And the Night Stood Still
5. Always in the Rain
6. King of the New York Streets
7. Written on the Subway Wall/Little Star
8. Mean Woman Blues
9. Sea Cruise
10. If I Should Fall Behind
11. Higher Than Heaven
12. Turn Me Loose
13. You Move Me [Live] - Dion & the Little Kings
14. King of Hearts [Live] - Dion & the Little Kings
15. I Know You Want Me
16. Shu Bop (The Lost Track)
17. Book of Dreams

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.com

The city of New York oughta build a statue of Dion. Like only a handful of rock-era singers--Frankie Valli and Lou Reed come to mind--the Bronx's Dion DiMucci embodies the city's swagger and energy. The amply annotated and illustrated King of the New York Streets neatly captures three phases of Dion on a trio of discs: "The Wanderer" (the doo-wop/pop idol years), "Abraham, Martin & John" (chronicling his confessional singer-songwriter period), and "Brooklyn Dodger" (on the comeback trail). The cocksure leader of the Belmonts and young solo sensation who scored hits with "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer" may have lost some of his bluster by the time of 1968's elegiac "Abraham, Martin & John" (penned 20 minutes after Robert Kennedy's assassination) and 1970's "My Own Backyard," which addresses his recovery from heroin addiction. The final disc, however, highlights the work of an artist who's unbowed. Here's an aging but still motivated and gifted performer coming up with solid new songs while confidently interpreting contemporary material (Bruce Springsteen's "If I Should Fall Behind" is turned into a lovely street-corner serenade) and oldies. A 1999 take on another Springsteen song--"Book of Dreams"--proves that, a full 40 years after he first hit the top 10 with "Teenager in Love," Dion's passion persists. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

UNJUSTLY FORGOTTEN (2004-01-23)

This is a wonderful box set. Most Dion collections focus the early short span of years in which he was a teenage idol. Unfortunately, as far as rock is concerned, Dion might was well have fallen off the face of the earth after 1963. This collection gives us a much fuller account of Dion's musical career.

The first disc is full of the early hits and favorites from the late 1950's and early 1960's. Some other collections go much further into the deep catalogue for this period; but all the hits and a few more are thrown in here. I was especially delighted to hear Dion's version of "Spoonful". Yes, it is the very same "Spoonful" Cream would turn into a concert favorite a few years later. It wasn't until I followed along with the liner notes that the song's connection with heroin abuse was made clear. It turns out that heroin addiction was a very real problem for Dion at that time. When I first had heard "Spoonful" in the late 1960's I thought it was about....Well, something else.

The second disc covered the great long years in the wilderness for Dion. These were years in which Dion was very much into the singer/songwriter niche. If most of us know anything at all from this period it is "Abraham, Martin and John". "Abraham, Martin and John" is one of those rare songs that transcends music genre by giving voice to the grief and hope the country felt at the death of Martin Luther King. The melody was simple but compelling while the lyrics were heartfelt without being preachy. It may not rank up there with "Yesterday" in total number of different recorded versions by other artists; but I swear nearly everybody and his brother had their own version of this song on records and in musical concerts for years after 1968. If Dion had done nothing else in his life he still would be remembered for this one song.

Dion put out several excellent folk albums during this time, which were unjustly ignored. In spite of this, Dion himself was very proud of this body of work as it truly reflected his musicianship and more mature subject matter. The second disc covered this period very well and may well inspire the listener to explore this period more deeply.

The third disc covers Dion's return to rock and roll in the 1990's. While there is much here that is great and a lot of fun, it is still likely this material will be new to most listeners. One can only conclude that Dion's "comeback" should have been more widely received than it was.

One complaint I have against this set is that it included only one example from Dion's sacred music catalogue. During the late 1970's and through the 1980's Dion released a series of Christian "gospel" records which were very popular within the contemporary Christian community. "Sweet Surrender" is probably one of the best from this part of Dion's life; but one song is not enough. I would of liked to have had "Center Of My Life" and "Sailing Ahead Of The Wind"-just to mention the first two that come to mind. Pop artists who record frankly spiritual music are frequently dropped down the memory hole by the rock world. They are just as frequently met with distrust and suspicion by the contemporary Christian crowd as historically many pop artists have entered the Christian music market only to emerge latter belittling the whole experience and the people who bought those records. This segment of the "market" is sensitive to any note of insincerely amongst "its" stars; but Dion himself was warmly received and well loved by the Christian community. To my knowledge, even after his rock and roll comeback, Dion is still an active and practicing Christian. It is a shame this important part of his life and career is so poorly represented here.

Still, even with this major reservation, this is a great package for those wanting a wider view of this man's contribution to rock and popular music. For the money I can scarcely think of another box set for which the money is better spent.

All Hail King Dion! (2002-02-09)

For me "Dion" will forever be Dion Di Mucci and not that dreadfully underfed Quebecois chanteuse/song-bludgeoner. A woefully under-appreciated vocalist who could croon with the best of them or snarl like a street tough, Dion's music is pure New York. This boxed set, divided into three distinct time periods (The Wanderer, Abraham Martin & John and Brooklyn Dodger) covers the whole story admirably, superbly and enjoyably. So often, boxed sets end up sounding stale and musty: overloaded with non-hits, half-assed rarities or incomplete takes and commercial jingles. Here, you get pure Dion. From the beginning to now. In glorious, superbly re-mastered sound. With a lush booklet that's loaded with essays, photos, information galore. Absolute doo wop gold! Absolute singer-songwriter magic! Incredible rock and roll power. Why settle for a single disc when these three will do the man more than justice? As essential as anything set to tape by any of the other rock pioneers of the era. An important and fun set!

The Soundtrack to a Great Rock'n'Roll Life!! (2001-03-08)

I'm not sure where to begin with this review. In many ways this CD overwhelms me. Fortunately it is divided into 3 "periods". You can follow Dion from his young swaggering Doo-Wop days, through his "Mid-Life" crisis, and finally to a mature rock'n'roll artist who is as powerful today as he was when he first started out. I don't think that it is an exaggeration to say that there is not one bad track in this collection. The energy that this man can generate at this stage in his career is unique among not only rock'n'roll artists, but musical artists in general. This is not a man who sits on his laurels. I hope Dion is with us for many, many more years to come.

Finally!!!!!! (2000-12-08)

I've waited patiently beside my father since I was about 14 years old for this moment. For 10 years I have discussed with my father why Dion wasn't noticed as being as big as most artists from that pre-british invasion. One hit wonders have gotten more airplay than Dion and its always disgusted me. I've waited a long time for a record company to wake up and give a compilation like this a chance. I always wondered why there wasn't a box set for Dion. Considering he has been performing and recording since the 1950's. Most people are not aware of that fact. I am extremely happy with this box set. I always loved Dion's folk music and unless I steal my father's Vinyl and tape it, I'm out of luck. However, I think a lot of songs are missing. Anyone who knows Dion's music will wonder where "If we only have love" is or "Sit Down Old Friend". What about "Dr. Rock n' Roll" Not to mention all the covers of Dylan, Sinatra and Darin. I could go on forever. Don't get me wrong, I love this box set but I could easily add 3 more cd's to it. 1 cd per every record label Dion was every with would have been a great idea. I hope this great set of music opens the door for Dion to get back out in the spotlight and get the notice, praise and money he always deserved. Who knows, with enough sales of this Cd maybe we'll see re-releases of all his other recordings To get to the point of this review, everyone should buy this set. Even If you don't love Dion. If you love music, this is an essential piece of magic that should decorate your cd rack and your soul. (Pick up Dion's new release - Deja Nu while you're at it!!!!!) You won't be disappointed.

I have to say thank you to The Right Stuff/Capitol Records for making the brilliant move.

All the Dion you'd need and more (2000-12-04)

Though there have been several great Dion retrospectives released over the years, they've since gone out-of-print, leaving Dion's work fragmented on various oldies and doo-wop compilations as well as a Columbia set collecting his later 60's work. However, with this box set, we once again have a domestic collection that compiles his best work throughout his entire career. The first disc, covering his prime in the 60's, is simply perfect; it could easily be filleted from this box set and issued by itself as a great, even definitive single disc retrospective of Dion's best and most popular work. It collects the best tracks cut with the Belmonts and the classic, breakthrough solo singles ("The Wanderer," "Runaround Sue," etc.). Listening to this material, you'll understand why Rolling Stone would call Dion exhibit A in contesting the notion that nothing great happened in rock between 1960 and the day the Beatles set foot in America.

The next two discs show how well Dion's voice has held up over the years. He's still in strong form, but the quality of the material isn't as strong as his earlier songs. However, there's no denying Dion's unwavering talent in intepreting works from new contemporary writers, particulary Bruce Springsteen, which makes these last two discs still worth exploring, with a few great gems scattered here and there.

This is a definite must for Dion fans, and until they make a single disc compilation like the first disc on this set, this is also the best introduction to Dion.

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