Dion (w/ The Persusians) - Albany, NY 8/12/2006

I went downtown to see Dion last night. My wife had been giving me flack saying that it was a show for old people. Yes, I'll admit that we were probably the youngest people there (we're 30!), but that doesn't mean we were wrong. No, the world is wrong. What we heard there was most certainly right.

I have almost all of Dion's albums, with his '68 self-titled album my personal favorite. There is gratification to be found in every period of his career from him early hits, his obscure 70's material, and even his late 80's comeback. Even his most recent album, "Bronx in Blue" (released earlier this year) sounds vibrant and vital; not a tired, moldy oldie act.

The show opened with a 45 minute acappella set by "The Persuasians". People, let me tell you, these guys know who to sing and even though they look like they are in their late 60's or beyond, they can put any of these "American Idols" in their place within 30 seconds. They delivered every doo wop number you could think of, from "Duke of Earl" and "Get A Job" to beautiful renditions of "Since I Fell For You" and "Besame Mucho". Their blend was flawless and it left me longing for the simple times back in the early days of rock and roll. I wish I could have been alive then to witness it at it's conception.

Dion, of course, rocked and rocked hard. With a tight five piece band of younger fellows, Dion launched into old school rock and roll the likes of which could probably save the world. With a fender strat strapped to his chest and dressed from head to toe in black like the doo-wop Johnny Cash, Dion blew the auditorium away with his ageless voice, reaching for notes somewhere up in the stratosphere. His band was impeccable, providing solid harmonies and instrumental support. Dion had plenty of charming, delightful stories to share between songs. As for those songs, while he did include all the mandatory hits from his career (The Wanderer, Drip Drop, Ruby Baby, I Wonder Why, Teenager in Love, Runaround Sue) he had room to browse his entire back catalog with a couple songs from his late 80's release "Yo Frankie" (Always in the Rain and King of the New York Streets) and even "Sweet Surrender", a terrific song from one of his religiously themed releases from the early 80's. And a stirring rendition of "Abraham, Martin, and John" dedicated to our troops in the middle east got a standing ovation from the mostly gray-haired crowd.

By time the show was over, even my stubborn wife had been convinced. Dion and the Persuasians had won her over. Hopefully she now understands what so many people these days have forgotten: rock and roll and good music like this will live forever, and no matter how old the performers may be, they cannot and will not be surpassed by today's dull, lifeless, electronicly proceesed crap that rules the radio waves. How can one go back to listening to the new Paris Hilton single after feeling the electricity and spirit of this music? Instead of the kids trying to be the next Jay-Z, practicing how to talk fast over a beat box, they ought to strap on a Les Paul and rediscover what Rock and Roll can do (isn't that a BW song?). If only they'd give it a chance....

Do yourselves a favor. If you have the chance to see Dion or the Persuasians, do not miss it. You'll thank me.

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