This underground wonder guitarist seemed destined for the shadows, even when Virgin signed him to a multi-record contract in the late '80s, of which not a single track came to fruition. In fact, the only track he ever laid down was wedged in between a handful of burgeoning new bluesmen on a 1987 Alligator compilation called The New Bluebloods.
It's not like the man's a slacker; the Mississippian built his base on Chess Records sessions with gospel groups like the Violinaires, Millie Jackson, Albert King and O.V,.Wright. From there he co-arranged Lonnie Brooks' 1983 album, Hot Shot, followed by a project of his own, the 43rd Street Blues Band, an outfit that first spent time as Junior Wells' backing band, and later became the weekend house crew at Kingston Mines for a decade or so.
The magic happens when Dion pulls out his most gravelly lyrics, and hits double-digit frets on his Les Paul like Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Clapton in a superjam. (Gavin Paul)
For more information, visit their website: http://www.alligator.com/index.cfm?section=artists&artistID=139
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