Dino: The Essential Dean Martin

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Customer reviews

review by: The Ambiturner date: 2008-09-18 rating:
's Terrible, 's Awful, 's Dino
This compilation showcases Dean Martin's musical stock-in-trade: a complete lack of singing talent coupled with a unique ability to utilise vocals to convey smugness - unbearable smugness. Listening to the pedestrian quality of the tracks here, it's hard not to picture Dean recording them while actually engaged in some other activity - counting his money, having a manicure, playing video games. At times, one has the distinct impression that he is in the middle of eating a sandwich, or perhaps a pizza, and is in point of fact singing out of the side of his mouth. At other times, one can almost hear him thinking "Are they really gonna pay me for this junk?" But then the air of self-satisfaction returns, and one can visualise the jaded star wrapping up the recording session with a lazy "Well, another day, another fifty grand - seeya later fellers". Still, the record company must be complimented on a wholly appropriate choice of cover photo. A tanned, mirthful Dean reclines with arm across chest, looking for all the world as though he is laughing at some practical joke he has just played upon an unsuspecting person or persons (although not, of course, upon Frank Sinatra). And well he might. "Best Of" collections don't come much worse than this.

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review by: hollygolightly1988 date: 2005-01-03 rating:
The Best Dino CD EVER!
I absolutely LOVE this Cd- it is the best Dean Martin Cd any fan could possibly wish for.brHis voice is mellow and soothing, whilst singing some of the most famous songs ever recorded.pAll of them will be your faves, and make Dean one of your favourite artists for eternity!

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review by: artist illustrator date: 2004-09-22 rating:
the ultimate definition of "easy listening"
The unique interpretations of a master song stylist, Dean Martin shines in this collection of recordings which were released from 1949 (''Powder Your Face With Sunshine'') to ''Gentle on My Mind'' in 1968. His smooth, gorgeous voice never loses a twist of humor, and you'll find yourself smiling and sometimes singing along with these uplifting tunes, which are the ultimate in ''easy listening''. brThe later songs, from the mid '60s on, tend to have a hint of country flavor, and the early ones in the '50s have an Italian feel to them, and some of them of course, like ''Volare'', were originally Italian songs. pIt's these early gems that are my favorites, like ''Love Me, Love Me'' from '53, ''Sway'' from '54, a marvelous melody that was also a hit for Bobby Rydell in '61, and Dean's fabulous rendition of ''Mambo Italiano'' from '55, which a few months earlier had been a top hit for Rosemary Clooney, and then there's ''Volare'', which I identify even more with Dean Martin than its singer/songwriter Domenico Modugno. brThe booklet insert is excellent, with liner notes by Stevie Van Zandt and two of Dean's children, Deanna and Gail, and most of all, I appreciate its detailed list of each song, with release date, highest chart position, and more, and some nice bw photos of the very cool Mr. Martin. brThe sound overall is quite good, and total running time is 77'59.


review by: Pete the music fan date: 2004-09-21 rating:
The best single CD of Dean's music
Dean Martin had two separate hit-making periods - in the fifties with Capitol and in the sixties with Reprise. The early sixties were not successful in the charts, although Dean continued to record albums and was also kept busy in other ways. You would normally have to buy one album to get his Capitol music and another to get his Reprise music. This collection spans both periods.pThis collection contains most of the songs that are associated with Dean, including Memories are made of this, That's amore, Volare, You're nobody till somebody loves you, In the chapel in the moonlight, Standing on the corner, Send me the pillow that you dream on, Houston and Everybody loves somebody.pDean's first solo hit, Powder your face with sunshine, is also included. It was no match for Evelyn Knight's version, which was number one in America for many weeks, but it was a start. Evelyn was at the peak of her career while Dean was just beginning. You belong to me (Jo Stafford) and Mambo Italiano (Rosemary Clooney) were other songs that other singers had bigger hits with than Dean.pDean is often compared to Frank Sinatra, but their music was quite different. I enjoy both of them in different ways. While Frank's music was rooted in the big band sound of the late thirties, Dean's was altogether more relaxed - Dean was the classic crooner. In the sixties, his music took on a country flavor. It was never country enough for him to establish credibility amongst diehard country music fans, but for those who enjoy both pop and country music, Dean's sixties music is particularly appealing. Dean does not twang, so a lot of people who don't like country music can still enjoy his music. pIf you only ever buy one Dean Martin album, this is the one to buy.

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