One hero salutes other ones

Dion

Heroes: Giants of Early Guitar Rock (Saguaro Road)

ESSENTIAL "Come On, Let's Go"

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dion has enjoyed a sweet, late-career run. He explored vintage blues on his last two discs, "Son of Skip James" and "Bronx in Blue." And he goes back to his rock roots on this sterling new effort where he reinvigorates classics by Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Ritchie Valens, and others. These are not slavish imitations, but rather inspired updates aided by crisp studio production and a tight ensemble spiced by guitarist Bob "Crow" Richardson, who does justice to every style. Dion swings throughout, right from the opening blast of Cochran's "Summertime Blues," Valens's "Come On, Let's Go" (with a "La Bamba" coda), and Holly's "Rave On." This might be party music for grandpa at this point, but it's definitely fun for the whole family. Everyone from James Taylor to Rod Stewart is doing covers these days, but Dion has lived and breathed this music, so it feels totally genuine. A 45-minute DVD is attached in which he shares personal reminiscences, reaching an emotional peak with a story about giving up his seat to Valens on the fateful 1959 plane crash that killed Valens, Holly, and the Big Bopper. The DVD alone is worth the price of the record. [Steve Morse]