The Essential Dion

Bringing a rare emotional richness to hummable bubblegum, Bronx native Dion DiMucci straddled doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll in the early ’60s, playing the free-spirit Romeo of “The Wanderer” with memorable low-slung swagger. This tidy collection showcases his masterful command of what might otherwise be mere teenage soap operas: “Runaround Sue” pivots from a wounded, weepy opening to empowering, handclapping catharsis. We also glimpse Dion’s later folk-rock side, thanks to strummy gems like “Drip Drop” and “Time In My Heart for You.”