Inside Job

Description

Inside Job is the gospel debut album by the American singer and songwriter Dion DiMucci of Dion & the Belmonts fame, released on DaySpring Records in 1980, a division of Word. The album was recorded at Bayshore Recording Studios in Coconut Grove, Florida; and was produced by Dion for Salt Productions with Paul Harris and Eric Schilling co-producing.

Dion DiMucci debut as a recording artist goes way back in time to 1959 when his doo-wop group Dion & the Belmonts released Presenting Dion and The Belmonts on Laurie Records. It was no surprise that Dion’s 1989 hit was called “King Of The New York Streets”… In the 1960s he had enjoyed hits with the classic doo-wop songs “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer”, which registered with many young fans including Lou Reed, Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen. Dion was also one of two singers only to be pictured on the sleeve of The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper (the other being Bob Dylan).

Dion has kept it simple on his first LP on a Christian label. But simplicity hasn’t prevented this experienced vocalist from turning out many musical styles – pop and country as well as a variety of rock’n’roles. Strongly featuring Dion’s seasoned vocals backed by a group of technically excellent Miami players, the album (produced by Dion and recorded at Miami’s Bay Shore Studios) includes some of the usual “baby Christian” songs one expects on an artist’s first Christian record (mostly without the usual “praise Him” lyrics however.) For instance, «New Jersey Wife» speaks to the befuddled and mundane existence of the usually unsung housewife, and «The Truth Will Set You Free» is an (almost) autobiographical account of this rocker’s spiritual growth from New York streets to “slippered feet.” (Best cuts: «I Believe», «Old Souvenirs», and «Sweet Surrender».) [CCM (Records – What’s New), November 1980]

From his early ‘60s hits to his comeback «Abraham, Martin & John» to his later Christian recordings, Dion DiMucci’s music has always changed with the times. By 1980 he was in a comfortable light rock format – mellow and pop-flavored for the most part, but with occasional hints of an edgier Slow Train Coming or Bob Seger kind of sound. «He’s The One» (with slide guitar), «The Truth Will Set You Free», «Man In The Glass» and the upbeat rocker «Gonna Be Ready» all possess bluesy grooves that are significantly better than your average CCM. The production is slick and clean, frequently making use of soulful female backing vocals and moody electric piano. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]

Inside Job/Only Jesus, Ace Records 2003, CD re-issue

‘Inside Job’ came out in 1980, the year of my Christian conversion, and I quickly latched on to it. It wasn’t hard to recognise its classic status. A friend of mine had been a hardcore Dion aficionado in the ‘60s and had slowly convinced me that despite being white, Dion DiMucci had one of the bluesiest, most lazily captivating voices in pop music. Now the master of the Bronx blues was a Christian and this, his first gospel project, expressed all the life, hope and joy I too had found in the Son of God. 23 years on, ‘Inside Job’ is still a magnificent album, Dion languidly emoting straight ahead love of Jesus songs with a sparse and marvellously tight band with Paul Harris’ Hammond organ, Joe Galdo’s drums and Tony Baltaglia’s guitar all intuitively produced to make a warm and fluid accompaniment. In 1981 the same musicians accompanied Dion on another gem, ‘Only Jesus’, and though there aren’t quite as many magnificent songs, the title cut composed by John Hanley is an underrated classic. Now it could be said that all the best cuts on these two timeless albums have been compiled on Ace’s magnificent ‘The Best of The Gospel Years’ Dion compilation. But surely devotees of the Dion genius and Christians wanting to replace their scratched vinyl will want to buy these never-before-on-CD albums, lovingly reinstated on an essential twofer. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, January 1994]

When out jogging in December 1979 at a time when he had very mixed mid-life emotions, Dion DiMucci experienced an intense revelation about how he saw his relationship with God. He simply wanted to be nearer, and this desire was soon to translate into a new series of albums for the Dayspring label. The two LPs Inside Job and Only Jesus were the outcome. Far removed from ‘everyone join in clappiness’ of some gospel recordings, Dion’s songs are characterised by often stark honesty. He explains and thanks, rather than preaching, about his experiences. «He’s The One», «Center Of My Life» and «The Truth Will Set You Free» from Inside Job all set out his stall effectively whilst retaining his cool rock edge with sparse but sharp instrumentation.

His next album, the fuller sounding ‘Only Jesus’, continues the themes, but with the emphasis firmly on Dion’s view of Jesus rather more than his own failings. With these gospel recordings, Dion did not reject his past, but instead utilised aspects of it to tell the story of his personal salvation. He maintains the love of those around him, and with his wider and maturer base has gone on to a wealth of later secular recording. This release documents one of his most successful gear changes, whilst still fitting neatly onto the musical road he has travelled.

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/inside-job/1854606756)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “I Believe” – 3:34
A2. “He’s The One” – 5:02
A3. “Center Of My Life” – 4:28
A4. “The Truth Will Set You Free” – 6:10

Side Two
B1. “Gonna Be Ready” – 3:39
B2. “Old Souvenirs” – 3:51
B3. “New Jersey Wife” – 3:54
B4. “Man In The Glass” – 4:21
B5. “Sweet Surrender” – 4:33

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by DaySpring Records. Later re-issued on CD.