Dion (Photo: Steve Celi; used with permission)
The resurgence of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dion, now well into his eighties, continues with the release of a new album, Stomping Ground. The all-star collection, featuring collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Peter Frampton, Billy Gibbons, Mark Knopfler, and more, arrived November 19, 2021, via KTBA Records. Listen below to many of the tracks that have been released, featuring Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Boz Scaggs, Mark Knopfler, and more.
Stomping Ground is the follow up to 2020’s highly acclaimed album, Blues With Friends.
Most of the new album’s songs were written by Dion and his songwriting partner Mike Aquilina. (The sole non-original is Jimi Hendrix’s “Red House.”) Additional guest artists include Billy F Gibbons, Eric Clapton, Keb’ Mo’, Rickie Lee Jones, Wayne Hood, Joe Bonamassa and G.E. Smith.
In his liner notes, Pete Townshend writes, in part, “Dion, like a circling star that never fades, generates the energy and fire we need to pull ourselves up and start again.”
Listen to that instantly recognizable guitar from Knopfler on “Dancing Girl”
Watch the video for “Angel in the Alleyways,” with Scialfa and Springsteen
On Aug. 18, Dion shared the first track, “I’ve Got to Get to You” featuring vocals with Scaggs, which features the father and son guitar team of Mike and Joe Menza. The song was written by Dion with longtime collaborator Mike Aquilina. Of the song’s lyric, Dion remarked, “I tried to get every form of transportation imaginable in this one” and that’s certainly the case with mention of elevators and Concord jets among many means of transport referenced.
He says, “Boz Scaggs is one of my wife Susan’s favorite singers, and I’m right there with her. I’ve wanted for decades to record a song with this guy. There’s no mistaking his voice for anyone else’s — and here it is, as pure and clear as ever. I was inspired to write this song after a conversation with Roy Orbison more than fifty years ago. Now that Boz has sung on it, it’s finally done. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Scaggs adds, “Dion is one of my favorite singers. With a single phrase he can open up a while range of musical experience. His early rock foundation and doowop sets me free. His style — in words and music — is timeless and beautiful to me. Our voices are a natural blend.”
Watch the official video for “I’ve Got to Get to You”
On Sept. 15, the day of the album’s announcement, Dion released a second track, “Take It Back.”
Stomping Ground Track Listing
Take It Back with Joe Bonamassa
Hey Diddle Diddle with G.E. Smith
Dancing Girl with Mark Knopfler
If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll with Eric Clapton
There Was A Time with Peter Frampton
Cryin’ Shame with Sonny Landreth
The Night Is Young with Joe Menza and Wayne Hood
That’s What The Doctor Said with Steve Conn
My Stomping Ground with Billy F Gibbons
Angel In the Alleyways with Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen
I’ve Got To Get To You with Boz Scaggs, Joe Menza and Mike Menza
Red House with Keb’ Mo’
I Got My Eyes On You Baby with Marcia Ball and Jimmy Vivino
I’ve Been Watching with Rickie Lee Jones and Wayne Hood
Listen to his collaboration with RLJ
Dion turned 82 on July 18, 2021. He plans to return to the stage in 2022. Tickets are available here.
Listen to “My Stomping Ground” with Billy F Gibbons
There’s more Dion news. The Wanderer, a musical based on the life and music of Dion will stage its world pre-Broadway premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ on March 24, 2022. Michael Wartella (Wicked) stars as Dion, alongside Christy Altomare (Anastasia) as Susan, Dion’s wife. Original New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre (Waitress) plays Johnny, Dion’s best friend. The Wanderer was written by Charles Messina (A Room of My Own) and is directed by Kenneth Ferrone (Cruel Intentions) and choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby. Tony Award-winner Beowulf Boritt is the scenic designer. The Wanderer is produced by Paper Mill Playhouse in association with Jill Menza and Charles Messina.
2020’s Blues With Friends featured contributions with numerous fellow legends including Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons and several others.
Related: Our review of Blues With Friends
3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationDion gets better everytime out. Kickass blues.
Don’t see Boz Scaggs anywhere in the video. If he’s singing on it, they should at least show him.
Yo dimucci I want my cap back.lol. http://www.dionthewanderer.com