Primarily known for his late ‘50s and early ‘60s doo-wop hits, both solo and with the Belmonts (“I Wonder Why,” “Love Came to Me,” “Runaround Sue,” “The Wanderer”), Dion has always been a far more versatile and gifted artist than history has recognized. One of the best rock singers of all time, Dion was also rock’s first true chameleon, recording a body of work that includes doo-wop, folk, a “Wall-of-Sound” masterpiece of an album (Born to Be With You with Phil Spector), gospel, and finally, with his fantastic new release, Bronx in Blue, the blues.

According to Dion, the blues was his first true musical love, and he rips through 12 covers and 2 originals on Bronx in Blue like a master. The production is beautifully sparse – think Johnny Cash’s Rick Rubin produced albums – featuring only Dion on surprisingly skillful acoustic guitar, minimal drums, and the singer’s greatest instrument: his voice, which thankfully, is right up-front in the mix. Not having faded like Brian Wilson’s or Neil Diamond’s, Dion’s voice can still make words soar, and he uses it to great effect here, giving every track an emotional urgency, be it playful, angry, or melancholy. From the album’s stomping opener, “Walkin’ Blues,” to quieter songs like “I Let My Baby Do That,” Dion’s obvious love and enthusiasm for the material is infectious, and it helps turn each song into a minor gem. The result is an album that stands among his best work; Bronx in Blue reestablishes Dion as a musical force to be reckoned with, and when placed alongside his previous albums, adds a brilliant layer to an already rich catalog of music.

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