| Runaway with Del Shannon | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Del Shannon |
| Cover: | Runaway (Del Shannon song) single cover.jpg |
| Border: | yes |
| Released: | June 1961 |
| Genre: | Rock and roll |
| Label: | Bigtop |
| Producer: | Embee Productions |
| Next Title: | Hats Off to Del Shannon |
| Next Year: | 1963 |
| Chronology: | Del Shannon |
Runaway with Del Shannon is the 1961 debut album by American rock and roll singer-songwriter Del Shannon. It contains Shannon's best-known hit, "Runaway". It is regarded by critics as having helped bridge the period between early rock and the British Invasion.[1]
Runaway with Del Shannon also features the early recording of "(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" (which would later be a huge hit for Elvis Presley later that same year) and a cover of Chuck Jackson "I Wake Up Crying"[2]
The album was released on compact disc for the first time by Taragon Records on January 14, 1997 as tracks 1 through 12 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 13 through 24 consisting of Shannon's Final Amy's Studio album from April 1965, 1,661 Seconds with Del Shannon[3] it was also released as one of two albums on one CD by Beat Goes On on September 27, 1997, the other being a Shannon's 2nd London album from May 1963, Hats Off to Del Shannon.[4] Bear Family included also the album in the 2004 Home and Away box set.[5] Edsel Records included the album in the 2023 Stranger in Town: A Del Shannon Compendium box set.[6]
Bruce Eder of Allmusic stated that "Some of the rest is a good deal less appealing, especially when Shannon tries straight romantic crooning, as on "The Search" or "I'll Always Love You." "I Wake up Crying" and especially "Wide Wide World" are successful album tracks, and the latter, at a somewhat quicker tempo."[7]
Billboard like and appreciated the effort. "a flocks of orignals items that show off his vocal style and his heartfelt approach to a song.[8]
Cashbox called it "his initial LP".[9]