Velvet and Steel (1986)

Velvet and Steel is the 21st studio album and fifth Christian music album by American singer - songwriter Dion DiMucci. It was released around October 1986 by DaySpring/Word Records. The album was produced by Neal Joseph.

Velvet and Steel served as Dion's final release of contemporary Christian music after his conversion albums that started in the early 1980s. Dion co-wrote nearly the entire album, partnering primarily with lyricist Bill Tuohy. It blends rock and roll with contemporary Christian themes. Notable guest vocalists and musicians include Steven Curtis Chapman, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Chris Rodriguez among others. The lead single, "Simple Ironies," was Dion's first, and only, No. 1 hit on the Christian CHR chart. The final track, "There in Your Heart," is a vocal duet with Christian singer - songwriter Kelly Willard.

After this release, Dion went back to secular music and release his comeback album Yo Frankie in 1989. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that same year and in 2002, Dion was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for his 1961 hit "Runaround Sue."

Track listing

1. New Breed of Man (Dion DiMucci, Jack Vino) -4:54

2. You Need a Love (Dion DiMucci, Pierce Pettis) -3:48

3. Treasure of Love/You're My Child (Dion DiMucci, Joe Sharpiro, Lou Stallman)

-4:41

4. Another Saturday Night in Heaven (Dion DiMucci, Bill Tuohy, Neal Joseph) -3:57

5. Prayers (Dion DiMucci, Bill Tuohy) -4:49

6. Simple Ironies (Randall Dennis) -3:17

7. Just Talk to Him (Dion DiMucci, Bill Tuohy) -4:36

8. I Love Jesus Now (Dion DiMucci, Bill Tuohy) -4:06

9. Hymn to Him (Dion DiMucci, Bill Tuohy) -4:33

10. There in Your Heart (vocal duet with Kelly Willard) (Dion DiMucci, Bill Tuohy)

-3:20

Radio singles

1986 -1987 "Simple Ironies" -#1 Christian CHR for 2 weeks, -#8 Christian AC

1987 "You Need a Love" -#18 Christian AC

1987 "There in Your Heart" with Kelly Willard -#2 Christian AC

Previous release: Kingdom in the Streets (1985) 

Next release: Yo Frankie (1989)