Search - Dion :: Rock & Roll Christmas

Johnny has a secret, and a secret he must share.

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 12/14/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Obviously, this is a Christmas album by Hall of Famer Dion DiMucci. There are no new songs on it. All the songs are well known classics that have been recorded many times, but Dion does manage to put his own spin on them. The songs are done in the classic Dion style, and sound like they could have been done in the early '60s, although they were actually recorded in the early '90s. All the songs are very good. This album should appeal to fans of early rock and roll."

All Lit Up

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 09/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dion's 1993 CD still makes a joyful noise 14 Christmas celebrations later. His take on "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" sets the pace with Jamie "King" Cotton's wailing sax solo, "Everyone dancing merrily in a new old fashioned way!" "Jingle Bell Rock" puts a smile on my face with this nouveau doo-wop version, "Jingle bell time is a swell time to go gliding in a one-horse sleigh." Dion adds a rap into to "Santa Claus Is Coming Town" and then bops out with a rollicking version. "May your days be merry and bright," Dion howls on a midtempo version of "White Christmas." Phil Spector's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is polished with the pretty melody sounding delightfully classic. "Please Come Home for Christmas" gets a soulful reading from Dion with a slow smoking 50s-style arrangement. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" sounds like he was flying low over Jamaica at the time they recorded this track. "Merry Christmas Baby" smokes with delightful relish, "Haven't had a single drink this morning, but I'm all lit up just like a Christmas tree." After a rock & roll blowout, Dion closes with the religious "O Holy Night" done to a catchy beat and full of backup chorus voices. "Rock n' Roll Christmas" by Dion remains a classic holiday set. Enjoy!"