ALBUM REVIEW: Dion - Born To Be With You - 1975(Phil Spector International Records)

 Dion DiMucci spent the late 60's and a good chunk of the 70's rediscovering himself after years of chemical dependency; this was achieved through a series of albums targeted toward the MOR/AC market. This particular album was a fine example of his new introspective approach and will mainly appeal to those listeners who need to tune out from life for a half hour by retreating to their dimly lit den. 9 times out of 10, the source of our own problem(s) is in our back yard, whether that back yard is in our mind or at a physical homestead.

A good 3/4 of this album has a murky, dirge-like sound, thanks mainly to...you guessed it...the Phil Spector Wall Of Sound. Listening to these tracks reminds me of Jackie DeShannon's version of "The Weight" sparring with George Harrison's "Bangla Desh." If you're looking for a little peppiness and a small reminder of Dion's teen idol Laurie Records era, then the only track that qualifies is the eighth and final track, "Good Lovin' Man."

2 of the tracks have a clearer production and sound to me like early James Taylor meeting Jim Croce("Your Own Back Yard" and "New York City Song"). "Your Own Back Yard" will probably stand out for you from the rest of the pack, and rightfully so; it had previously been released as a non-LP single in 1970 on Warner Brothers. The rest of the tracks were recorded in 1974.

Please note that the below streaming link pairs the album with his 1976 effort "Streetheart" as well as a Phil Spector involved non-LP 1976 single(track 9).

Stay tuned for more album or single reviews in the future and keep rediscovering those lost oldies on The Retro Attic!

PURCHASE: Born To Be With You on Amazon

SPOTIFY: Born To Be With You on Spotify

SINGLE CURRENTLY IN THE RETRO ATTIC'S ROTATION: Your Own Back Yard - peaked at #75 in Billboard on 7/3/70. And we have it in stereo(mono is much more common)!

HOW TO BECOME A SPONSOR ON THIS STATION!

 My two licensed internet radio stations, The Retro Attic and Awfully Awesome 80's, are looking for sponsors. For an extremely low monthly rate(a choice of having your ad run either 5 times a week or 10 times a week on the station), I will produce a 30 second ad that can be dry or that can include background music. I can also offer a sidebar ad for your business(with a clickable link) on one of my websites for a slightly higher monthly rate.

I am looking for specific types of sponsors that, like me, are devoted to keeping oldies and 80's music alive and well:

 1. Used record/compact disc stores across the USA that cater to tourists and/or sell their titles online.

 2. Flea market vendors across the USA that deal exclusively with vinyl and compact discs.

 3. Oldies and 80's related tribute bands that tour either nationally or only in specific areas of the USA.

 4. Long-lost artists from the 50's through the 80's that have new music or books they want to promote, but don't have the time or know-how to do it.

I would be open to discussion on other types of sponsors(such as a pest control business or a restaurant), but only if you have a reputable business with good intentions.

My stations have been around for anywhere from 8-11 years and can reach a worldwide audience; some people will tell you that I'm obviously devoted to yesteryear since I love concentrating on those hits and artists that most other oldies stations no longer touch! I know that some of my listeners love to travel, buy records and see tribute shows, so as CSN once said: "What have you got to lose?"

If you're interested in learning more, then please PM me through Facebook or use the contact form and/or chat function on my websites(http://retroatticrareoldiesradio.com and http://awfullyawesomeeighties.com). As Canned Heat once said: "Let's work together" and build an oldies-devoted network!

Please also note that if you would like to support my stations through other methods, then I do accept donations(one-time or a monthly subscription) through the Paypal buttons on my website. You can also show your support by checking out my auctions and set sales on E-Bay(please see the sidebar listing on this site or search on E-Bay for the seller ID of "retroatticmusic"); maybe I will have a collectible that will interest you!

THE NEWEST ADDS AS OF MAY 1, 2022

 As you will see, I am starting to make a habit out of adding more oldies "standards." Listeners, for the most part, want familiarity when they tune in. That way, they stand a better chance at being amazed when they hear a lost single as the next track. At least I hope so! Anyways, here are The Retro Attic's latest adds:

1910 Fruitgum Company - Simon Says - Mono Single Mix

The Allman Brothers Band - Crazy Love

America - A Horse With No Name

America - Sister Golden Hair

Bad Company - Feel Like Makin' Love

Bad Company - Silver, Blue & Gold

The Band - Don't Do It

Barnaby Bye - Can't Live This Way

Shirley Bassey - Goldfinger - Single Mix

Archie Bell & The Drells - I Can't Stop Dancing

The Blue Ridge Rangers - Jambalaya(On The Bayou)

Jimmy Buffett - Come Monday

Jimmy Buffett - Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes

Glen Campbell - Where's The Playground Susie

Bernadette Carroll - Party Girl

Alvin Cash & The Crawlers - Twine Time

Ray Charles - One Mint Julep

Chicago - Free

Jim Croce - Chain Gang Medley

Vic Damone - An Affair To Remember(Our Love Affair)

Mac Davis - Burnin' Thing

Joey Dee & The Starliters - What Kind Of Love Is This

John Denver - It Makes Me Giggle

Neil Diamond - Soolaimon(African Trilogy II)

The Doobie Brothers - Long Train Runnin'

The Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get

Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy

Earth, Wind & Fire - Got To Get You Into My Life

The Four Lads - Enchanted Island

Doug Franklin With The Bluenotes - My Lucky Love

Freddie & The Dreamers - I'm Telling You Now

Freddie & The Dreamers - You Were Made For Me

J. Geils Band - Must Of Got Lost - Full Length

Golden Earring - Radar Love - Full Length

Good & Plenty - Livin' In A World Of Make Believe

Rosco Gordon - Shoobie Oobie

Noel Harrison - A Young Girl

Deane Hawley - Look For A Star

Hot Tuna - Keep On Truckin'

Janis Ian - Insanity Comes Quietly To The Structured Mind

The Ikettes - I'm Blue(The Gong Gong Song)

The Jackson 5 - Maybe Tomorrow

Billy Joel - Piano Man

LaBelle - What Can I Do For You?

Denise LaSalle - Trapped By A Thing Called Love

Led Zeppelin - Black Dog

Kenny Loggins - Whenever I Call You Friend

Kenny Loggins - This Is It

The Lovelites - How Can I Tell My Mom And Dad

Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded By The Light - Full Length

Al Martino - Living A Lie

Mashmakhan - As The Years Go By

Paul McCartney & Wings - Jet

Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Light

Meat Loaf - You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth(Hot Summer Night)

The Messengers - Window Shopping

Chad Mitchell Trio - The Marvelous Toy

Tim Moore - Second Avenue

Ormandy - Good Day

Donny Osmond - I Have A Dream

The Osmonds - Love Me For A Reason

The Partridge Family - I Woke Up In Love This Morning

Pointer Sisters - Going Down Slowly

Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side

Bobby Rydell - Swingin' School

Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

The Shirelles - Soldier Boy

Paul Simon - Kodachrome

The Steelers - Get It From The Bottom

The Sunshine Company - Look, Here Comes The Sun

The Temptations - Ungena Za Ulimwengu(Unite The World)

Three Dog Night - Play Something Sweet(Brickyard Blues)

Thomas Wayne - Tragedy

Deniece Williams - Baby, Baby My Love's All For You

Wings - Live And Let Die

LAST BATCH OF NEW ADDS FOR 2021

Here are the latest new adds to The Retro Attic's rotation to close out 2021. I hope everyone has Happy Holidays and I look forward to adding new bunches of classic and forgotten nuggets in 2022! 

Chad Allen - Little Lonely

The Allisons - Are You Sure

The Archies - Feelin' So Good(S.k.o.o.b.y-D.o.o)

The Band - (I Don't Want To) Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes

Rod Bernard - This Should Go On Forever

Billy & Lillie - Lucky Ladybug

Stephen Bishop - On And On

The Cadets - Stranded In The Jungle

Al Caiola And His Orchestra - Bonanza

Frankie Calen - Joanie

Captain & Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together

Captain & Tennille - Circles

Joe "Fingers" Carr - Portuguese Washerwomen

The Chantels - Well I Told You

Ray Charles - Hit The Road Jack

City Boy - 5.7.0.5.

Cooper Brothers - The Dream Never Dies

Gene Cotton - You're A Part Of Me - Duet With Kim Carnes

Damita Jo - I'll Be There

Vic Damone - You Were Only Fooling(While I Was Falling In Love)

Charlie Daniels - Uneasy Rider

Dean And Jean - Tra La La La Suzy

Tommy Dee - Three Stars

Deep Purple - Black Night

DeJohn Sisters - (My Baby Don't Love Me) No More

Detroit Emeralds - Do Me Right

Neil Diamond - Stones

Neil Diamond - I've Been This Way Before

Donnie And The Dreamers - Count Every Star

The Ducanes - I'm So Happy(Tra La La)

Eagles - Take It Easy

Eagles - Outlaw Man

Duane Eddy - Theme From Dixie

Barbara Evans - Charlie Wasn't There

Foghat - What A Shame

Connie Francis - Roundabout

Gene & Jerry - You Just Can't Win(By Making The Same Mistake)

Jesse Green - Nice And Slow

Andy Griffith - What It Was Was Football

Henry Gross - One More Tomorrow

Merle Haggard - Okie From Muskogee

The Headboys - The Shape Of Things To Come

Clarence Henry - You Always Hurt The One You Love

Ferlin Husky - Wings Of A Dove

Janis Ian - Society's Child(Baby I've Been Thinking)

The Innocents - Beware

The Jackson 5 - Sugar Daddy

Michael Jackson - Ben

Dick Jacobs, His Orchestra & Chorus - Petticoats Of Portugal

The James Gang - Must Be Love

Jan & Dean - Wanted One Girl

Jefferson Starship - Miracles - Full Length Version

The Jerms - Green Door

Elton John - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting

Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom

Tom Johnston - Savannah Nights

Murry Kellum - Long Tall Texan

Andy Kim - I Wish I Were

Bob Lind - Remember The Rain

Lobo - She Didn't Do Magic

Henry Mancini & His Orchestra & Chorus - Days Of Wine And Roses

Bette Midler - Married Men

Ocean - Deep Enough For Me

The Original Casuals - So Tough

Johnny Otis Show - Castin' My Spell

Reg Owen And His Orchestra - Manhattan Spiritual

Patty & The Emblems - Mixed Up Shook Up Girl

Pawnee Drive - Break My Mind

Pink Floyd - Money - Single Edit

Gary Puckett And The Union Gap - Let's Give Adam And Eve Another Chance

Lou Rawls - A Natural Man

Helen Reddy - The Happy Girls - Single Edit

The Regents - Runaround

Emitt Rhodes - Somebody Made For Me

Charlie Rich - Beautiful Woman

Johnny Rodriguez - Ridin' My Thumb To Mexico

Kenny Rogers - Daytime Friends

Timmie Oh Yeah! Rogers - Back To School Again

David Rose And His Orchestra - Holiday For Trombones

Joe Simon - Step By Step

Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

Sweet - Co-Co

T. Rex - Telegram Sam

10cc - Rubber Bullets - Single Edit

B.J. Thomas - Most Of All

Three Dog Night - Easy To Be Hard

Tiny Tim - Hello Hello

Tiny Tim - Great Balls Of Fire

Tower Of Power - What Is Hip?

The Velvets - Tonight(Could Be The Night)

Village People - Y.M.C.A.

Village People - In The Navy

Village People - Ready For The 80's

Jennifer Warnes - Right Time Of The Night

Dionne Warwick - Don't Make Me Over - Mono Single Mix

Dionne Warwick - Anyone Who Had A Heart

Dionne Warwick - Message To Michael

Dionne Warwick - Do You Know The Way To San Jose

Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music - Full Length Version

DEBUT OF MY NEW PODCAST ON MIXCLOUD

 To help cross-promote The Retro Attic, I have started a podcast on Mixcloud called "Gil's Gilty Pleasures." If you want to hear higher-quality programming with a themed concept, then please feel free to check it out and become a follower!

The first episode focuses on some of my lost favorites from the year 1974. You can check it out by going to here: GIL'S GILTY PLEASURES

NEW ADDS TO CLOSE OUT THE SPRING OF 2021

Here is a list of the latest adds to The Retro Attic to close out the spring of 2021:

Lee Allen And His Band - Walkin' With Mr. Lee

America - Ventura Highway

America - Tin Man

Anthony And The Sophomores - Play Those Oldies, Mr. Dee Jay

Bobby Bare - 500 Miles Away From Home

Bell & James - Livin' It Up(Friday Night)

Michael Blessing - The New Recruit

Blue Swede - Hooked On A Feeling

Blue Swede - Hush/I'm Alive

The Blues Brothers - Gimme Some Lovin'

The Bobbettes - Mr. Lee

Ray Campi - Hear What I Wanna Hear

Bernadette Castro - A Girl In Love Forgives

Phil Castro - Crazy Little Heartache

The Cellos - Rang Tang Ding Dong(I Am The Japanese Sandman)

Cher - Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves

Chicago - (I've Been) Searchin' So Long

Chicago - You Are On My Mind

The Chocolate Watchband - Are You Gonna Be There(At The Love In)

Lou Christie - Have I Sinned

Perry Como - If(They Made Me A King)

Ray Conniff And The Singers - Somewhere My Love

Alice Cooper - Under My Wheels

Couchois - Walkin' The Fence

Tim Curry - I Do The Rock

James Darren - Gidget

Neil Diamond - Walk On Water

Jimmy Dorsey And His Orchestra - So Rare

The Dynamics - Misery

Walter Egan - Unloved

Shelley Fabares - Johnny Angel

The Faragher Brothers - Stay The Night

Sally Field - Felicidad

Ernie Fields And His Orchestra - In The Mood

Fountain Of Youth - Livin' Too Fast

Stan Freberg - The Yellow Rose Of Texas

John Fred & His Playboy Band - Judy In Disguise(With Glasses)

Richie Furay - I Still Have Dreams

The G Clefs - Ka Ding Dong

Bill Haley And His Comets - The Saints Rock 'N Roll

Marvin Hamlisch - The Entertainer

The Happy Tones - Summertime Nights

Patrick Hernandez - Born To Be Alive

The Hit Pack - Summer Fever

Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way

Thelma Houston - Saturday Night Sunday Morning

The Hung Jury - Buses

The Intruders - (Love Is Like A) Baseball Game

Terry Jacks - Seasons In The Sun

Terry Jacks - If You Go Away

Deon Jackson - Love Makes The World Go Round

Joe Jackson - Is She Really Going Out With Him?

Elton John - Levon

David Jones - What Are We Going To Do?

Quincy Jones - Money Runner

Shirley Jones - Pepe - Full Length Version

Kansas - People Of The South Wind

Peter Kastner - I Just Can't Get Over You

Alex Keenan - Tell Her You Love Her

Alex Keenan - One Day Of Your Life

Kelly & Gail - Falling Sugar

Eddie Kendricks - Son Of Sagittarius

Sajid Khan - Dream

Andy Kim - Rock Me Gently

Kiss - I Was Made For Lovin' You - Single Mix

Laura Lee - Rip Off

The Lewis And Clarke Expedition - Freedom Bird

Gary Lewis & The Playboys - Girls In Love

Little River Band - Lonesome Loser

Melissa Manchester - Midnight Blue

The Marcels - Blue Moon

Little Peggy March - I Will Follow Him

Ian Matthews - Shake It

Mrs. Miller - Downtown

The Monkees - Last Train To Clarksville - Mono Single Mix

The Monkees - Goin' Down

The Monkees - Porpoise Song

Jackie Moore - This Time Baby

Michael Murphey - Wildfire - Album Version

The O'Jays - Time To Get Down

Gilbert O'Sullivan - Out Of The Question

The Osmonds - Down By The Lazy River

Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Jackie Blue - Full Length Version

P.K. Limited - Ain't No Way

Pablo Cruise - I Want You Tonight

Dolly Parton - Jolene

Paul Petersen - Amy

Plastic Ono Band - Cold Turkey

Player - Baby Come Back - Full Length Version

Bill Pursell - Our Winter Love

Rainbow - Since You Been Gone

The Shadows Of Knight - Bad Little Woman

Slade - Cum On Feel The Noize

Spirit - Mr. Skin

The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself

Donna Summer - Try Me I Know We Can Make It - Single Edit

The Marc Tanner Band - Elena

Vicki Tasso - The Sound Of The Hammer

Livingston Taylor - I Will Be In Love With You

B.J. Thomas - (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song

The Tinglers - The Tingler

Jesse Lee Turner - The Little Space Girl

Roy Tyson - Oh What A Night For Love

UFO - Too Hot To Handle

The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes

Uriah Heep - Sweet Lorraine

Bobby Vinton - Rain Rain Go Away

Bobby Vinton - Coming Home Soldier

Joey Ward - Judy Jump Up

Paula Wayne - You With Darkness On Your Mind

Toni Wine - A Boy Like You

Yes - Roundabout - Album Version

Our Mixcloud one hour podcast shows will be starting up soon(first half of June)! Become a follower so that you can be notified of new uploaded shows! Our Mixcloud page can be found here

Blocks of hits and rarities covering '61, '66 and '73 will be coming soon! Thanks again for your continued support!

THE FIRST BATCH OF NEW ADDS FOR 2021

Here are the 125 latest new adds to the rotation of The Retro Attic, covering the first two months of 2021. Feel free to leave a comment here or through our new chat feature in the lower right corner of our webpage:

 The Ad Libs - The Boy From New York City

Alive 'N Kickin' - Just Let It Come

Alive 'N Kickin' - London Bridge

The Archies - Sugar Sugar

The Bad Boys - Black Olives

The Beau Brummels - Laugh Laugh

Bee Gees - How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

Bee Gees - Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself

Blood Sweat & Tears - Lisa Listen To Me

Brook Benton - The Boll Weevil Song

Blood Sweat & Tears - And When I Die

Boney M - Sunny

The Brotherhood Of Man - Save Your Kisses For Me

Buffalo Springfield - Expecting To Fly

Buffalo Springfield - On The Way Home

Bullet - Willpower Weak Temptation Strong

The Camelots - Pocahontas

The Carmel - I Can't Shake This Feeling

Johnny Cash - Flesh And Blood

Ray Charles - Busted

Cheech And Chong - (How I Spent My Summer Vacation) Or A Day At The Beach With Pedro & Man

The Coasters - Charlie Brown

Commodores - Slippery When Wet

The Contours - Can You Do It

Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose - Treat Her Like A Lady

Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose - Too Late To Turn Back Now

Gene Cotton - You Got Me Runnin'

Coven - One Tin Soldier(The Legend Of Billy Jack)

The Critters - Mr. Dieingly Sad

Jim Croce - Operator(That's Not The Way It Feels)

Neil Diamond - Cherry Cherry

Driver - (I've Been Lookin' For) A New Way To Say I Love You

Bob Dylan - Tangled Up In Blue

Earth Wind And Fire - Serpentine Fire

Tommy Edwards - It's All In The Game

The Eleventh Hour - Hollywood Hot

Yvonne Elliman - Everything's Alright - Full Length Original Version

Shirley Ellis - The Name Game

The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love

The Exports - Car Hop

The Fastest Group Alive - The Bears

The Four Evers - Be My Girl(Please Be Mine)

The Four Preps - A Letter To The Beatles

The 4 Seasons - Beggin'

The 4 Seasons - Silver Star

Four Tops - Ain't No Woman(Like The One I've Got)

Peter Frampton - I'm In You

The Bobby Fuller Four - I Fought The Law

The Fuzz - I Love You For All Seasons

Robin Gibb - Saved By The Bell - Mono Mix

Bobby Goldsboro - Come Back Home

Robert Gordon - Red Hot

Al Green - Let's Stay Together

Norman Greenbaum - California Earthquake

The Groop - The Jet Song(When The Weekend's Over)

Tom T. Hall - I Like Beer

Heatwave - Boogie Nights

Bobby Hebb - Sunny

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Crosstown Traffic

The Honey Cone - Sittin' On A Time Bomb(Waitin' For The Hurt To Come)

Johnny Horton - Sink The Bismarck

Bobby Hutton - You're My Whole Reason

The Innocence - There's Got To Be A Word!

Tommy James And The Shondells - Hanky Panky

Elton John And Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart

Keith - 98.6

Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express

The Larks - The Jerk

John Lennon - Imagine

Bob Lind - Elusive Butterfly

The Lovin' Spoonful - Summer In The City

Gloria Lynne - I Wish You Love

Manfred Mann - Sha La La

Barbara Mason - Yes I'm Ready - Mono With Complete Outro

Mason Proffit - Hope

C.W. McCall - There Won't Be No Country Music(There Won't Be No Rock N Roll)

The McCoys - Hang On Sloopy - Three Verse Version

Mr. Big - Romeo 

Sam Neely - You Can Have Her

October Country - October Country

Odyssey - Native New Yorker

Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again

Bunny Paul - We're Only Young Once

People's Choice - I Likes To Do It

People's Choice - Do It Any Way You Wanna

Johnny Preston - Running Bear

The Pretty Things - Don't Bring Me Down

Charley Pride - Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town

Marty Robbins - El Paso

The Rockin' Rebels - Wild Weekend

Julie Rogers - The Wedding

The Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron

The Royal Guardsmen - The Return Of The Red Baron

Todd Rundgren/Runt - We Gotta Get You A Woman

Todd Rundgren/Runt - Be Nice To Me

Rush - Closer To The Heart

Sam & Dave - Hold On! I'm Comin'

The Shangri Las - Leader Of The Pack

The Shillings - Lying And Trying

The Singing Nun - Dominique

Soft Machine - Why Are We Sleeping?

Steely Dan - Peg

Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride - Mono Single Version

Sandy Stewart - My Coloring Book

Stillwater - Mind Bender

Cliffie Stone And His Orchestra - The Popcorn Song

Stoney And Meatloaf - What You See Is What You Get

Stoney And Meatloaf - It Takes All Kinds Of People

Barbra Streisand - Love Theme From A Star Is Born(Evergreen)

Barbra Streisand - My Heart Belongs To Me

The Stylistics - You Are Everything

The Stylistics - You Make Me Feel Brand New

Swamp Dogg - Creeping Away

The Swans - The Boy With The Beatle Hair

The Syndicate Of Sound - Little Girl

The Temptations - Just My Imagination(Running Away With Me)

Sue Thompson - Paper Tiger

Tin Tin - Is That The Way

The Trade Winds - New York's A Lonely Town

The Underbeats - Sweet Words Of Love

Philip Upchurch Combo - You Can't Sit Down Parts 1 And 2

The Ventures - Walk Don't Run '64

Larry Verne - Mr. Custer

The Wonders - Say There

Kenni Woods - Can't He Take A Hint?