Legendary singer and songwriter Dion will release The Rock ’n’ Roll Philosopher on October 24 via KTBA Records. The album arrives as a companion to his new book of the same name, co-authored with Adam Jablin, and will be available digitally and on CD.
The release follows Dion’s acclaimed recent collaborations (Blues With Friends in 2020, Stomping Ground in 2021, and 2023’s Girl Friends), also issued through KTBA, the label founded by Joe Bonamassa and Roy Weisman.
The album launch is marked by the release of its lead single, I’m Your Gangster of Love, written by Dion with Mike Aquilina. A brand-new video for the song also debuts today, evoking the stylised crime dramas of the 1930s and 40s.
A musical reflection of a life’s journey
The Rock ’n’ Roll Philosopher combines newly written songs, reimagined classics, and selections recorded over the last decade. In the liner notes, Dion explains, “I pulled together some of the songs I discussed in the book and some of them I changed.” Like the book, the album charts his journey through music, addiction, recovery, friendships, creativity, faith, and lessons learned along the way.
Among the highlights are collaborations with Sonny Landreth, Joe Bonamassa, Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton. Clapton, who also wrote the prologue for Dion’s book, contributes a heartfelt forward to the album, calling him “one of a kind, unparalleled in his achievement and stature… a genius singer, writer, musician, and healer.” Clapton also features on the new Dion original If You Wanna Rock and Roll.
Revisiting classics and uncovering gems
The album includes New York Minute, co-written with Aquilina, and a fresh version of New York Is My Home, produced by Jimmy Vivino. Two songs feature the late Scott Kempner, co-founder of The Dictators and Del-Lords, including In A Heartbeat of Time and an updated live cut of King of the New York Streets recorded with Little Kings at New York’s Mercury Lounge in 1996.
Dion also reinterprets Tom Waits’ San Diego Serenade, merging it with his own song of faith in Serenade/Come To the Cross. Classic touchstones Ruby Baby, Runaround Sue, The Wanderer, and Abraham, Martin and John are represented too, the latter recorded in a newly intimate version that Dion describes as his favourite of the many he has recorded over the past 57 years.
An ideal setlist
The project is accompanied by comprehensive notes from music historian Gene Sculatti, based on a recent conversation with Dion. “The songs heard on The Rock ’n’ Roll Philosopher are, in essence, an ideal set list,” Dion reflects. “The songs that I’d most like to play, all together in the perfect concert.”
With The Rock ’n’ Roll Philosopher, Dion once again proves himself to be an artist in constant dialogue with his past, present, and future, turning his remarkable life into a soundtrack of resilience, reflection, and rock ’n’ roll spirit.
The Rock ’n’ Roll Philosopher is out October 24 via KTBA Records. I’m Your Gangster of Love is streaming now on all digital platforms, with the official video also available to watch today.
