Dion’s two 1963 original Columbia albums together on CD. Having parted company with the Belmonts in 1960, Dion DiMucci enjoyed a string of solo hits on Laurie Records, including the million-selling Runaround Sue, and two Top 20 albums before signing to Columbia Records in late ’62. By now a major star and with an uncompromising take on his own style – “I don’t sing white, I don’t sing black, I sing Bronx”, Dion’s arrival at the label heralded a significant sea change; A&R director Mitch Miller’s dislike of rock’n’roll was no secret while Dion himself was eager to break away from the “teen idol” tag. His first Columbia single, a bluesy cover of Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller’s Ruby Baby, peaked at US #2 and spawned the first of two LPs released in 1963. Released in March ’63, “Ruby Baby” became his third Top 20 album. By contrast its follow-up, Donna The Prima Donna, fared less well – yet was more allied to Dion’s tastes. Capitalising on the recent doo wop revival, alongside the self-penned title hit (US #6), the album included two Cleftones cover songs, Goffin & King’s overlooked This Little Girl (US #21) and a cover of Be Careful Of Stones That You Throw (US #31) which Dion had heard as a youngster by way of Hank Williams. Presented in glorious stereo, Ruby Baby and Donna The Prima Donna make their CD debut here as a memorabilia-laden package includes informative liner and a detailed sessionography.
