Dion

The Wanderer
$0.99
First let it be said that I've made a switch. Having a limited budget, I have owned an MP3 player for fifteen months now. One of the drawbacks has been figuring out a way to load my I-Tunes to my favorite personal music device. With C.D.'s it's a breeze, but what about those times when you don't want to commit to an entire album, but go for the single essentials? Amazon offers a solution with downloaded music that can be formatted for I-Pods AND MP3 players.

Happily, I've been in pop music bliss as I hear some of my favorite songs come in MP3 player clarity from their downloads. Enticed by a Metamorpho review, I decided to head down memory lane and pick up a jazzy and formidable piece of rock music. "The Wanderer" gets my vote as the best Dion song, and, as I refuse to contradict the merits of Meta's illuminating review, I can still wait for tomorrow to pick up the other nuggets I've sampled of his on Amazon when I get extra greenbacks.

Not to date myself, but it is quite a blessing to discover the glory of music in different phases: a clock radio (childhood), a radio tape-recorder (puberty) to stereo and Walkman (college), and now the splendor and clarity of MP3 player resonance and selection.

(For the uninitiated, TAKE NOTE: Write down the directions as you initiate your downloading capabilities from Amazon. Download the complimentary starter song they offer (You may say, "I didn't order that!" Notice it says "Free Download" to start your format. Then, play the song from its selected option. (See if your Windows Media Player plays it and capture it in your library.) When it does and you've captured it, you're in business. Then, you can download songs off Amazon. (I would also advise you to listen to the songs before you download them. Make sure you hear the version of the song you want. [I almost downloaded a new version of The Crystals' "He's a Rebel," a no-no in my book.)

Being somewhere between a newbie and computer whiz kid, I admit it's a little hard to start on Amazon. (I had to pay twice for Cyndi Lauper's "All Through the Night" before I got the hang of it.) If you write down the directions, it is easy after your first download and capture. So pay attention and "Don't do as I do, do as I say!" Having the will and way, I am happy to take the Amazon MP3 Player plunge. Give it a try and you will, too.

The Essential Dion
$7.99
I wasn't disappointed with this CD, it had all of my favorite songs by Dion. I grew up with this music and I still like listening to it. Dion has a unique, distinctive music that I would recommend to everyone.

Greatest Hits
$18.98
Actually I'd give this 4 and a half stars. From his first hit with the Belmonts all the way to a Springsteen cover in 1992, this is one of the best Dion Comps on the market. But it could've been stronger. Back in the late 80's Arista had a CD called 24 Original Classics 1958-1978, which covered much of the same ground here, but included tracks from Dion's Warner Brothers years. 15 of those 24 are here, but there's some crucial cuts like "Daddy Rollin'" and "Your Own Back Yard" that aren't here. The liner notes on the Arista set were excellent, while the ones here are average. On this set there's a terrible remix of "The Wanderer". As a reminder of Dion's chart prowess, this is fine. But a few cuts more it could've been even better. It's still a five star buy, especially if you're a Dion newbie. Also try to hunt down the Arista set. It can be found used, and is still the best Dion comp ever produced.

Bronx in Blue
$18.97
I was a fan of Dion's "way back when". When I found out he recorded a Blues CD my first reaction was "Huh?". Seemed like a bad idea.

I am a Blues aficionado with a large collection of Blues music, from the old Delta Masters to contemporary artists. NOTHING in my collection is better than Dion's interpretation of the Blues. Great guitar work, terrific vocals. I highly recommend Bronx in Blue and also Son of Skip James. I can't stop listening to either CD. We need MORE Blues from Dion!