Son of Skip James

iTunes Review

In 2006, 1950/60’s pop star Dion DiMucci (“The Wanderer,” “Runaround Sue”) released Bronx in Blue, a loving and authentic tribute to legendary blues artists like Robert Johnson and Howlin’ Wolf.  Dion pulled off more than a convincing performance, earning a Grammy nomination with his stripped-down acoustic guitar and warm, organic vocal style. On Son of Skip James, Dion revisits the blues greats and beefs up the instrumentation (with restraint), covering, among others, Little Walter (the honky-tonkin “My Babe,” written by Willie Dixon), Sleepy John Estes (a fabulously slinky, slippery “Drop Down Mama”), early blues-hollerer Tommy McClennan (“I’m a Guitar King,” where Dion shows off real finger-picking talent), and Robert Johnson again (“If I Had Possession,” with more impressive guitar work and genuine, blues-weary vocals).  It’s hard to believe this is the same Dion, but you gotta admit, the guy’s been through a lot and his life experiences have no doubt helped deepen his appreciation and interpretation of the blues greats of our time. Two original tracks color the affair with Dion’s own brand of traditional blues (“The Thunderer” may be the strongest song here), and there are moments that evoke the rich, introspective work of Nick Lowe. Blues fans, take notice!