Customer Reviews

Christmas with Dino

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For years, I wondered, why there was no real Holiday album by Dean Martin: The answer is that simple: Dino cut two Christmas albums, one for Capitol and one for Reprise, but each of them contained only a bunch of Christmas-related selections. So, if you really want to get a Holiday album by DM, get this one!
Featured here are the Holiday cuts from the Capitol album "A Winter Romance", selections from "The Dean Martin Christmas Album" on Reprise Records, plus a somewhat rare selection from a Capitol single. Beside the now Dino-trademark Capitol recordings of "Winter Wonderland" and "Let It Snow!", you will learn how these tracks sounded, when Dino re-recorded them nearly a decade later. Of course, a compilation of this kind fully qualifies for five stars, but there are still a few things, that could have been better: First of all, Capitol recently finds it unnecessary to include liner notes for the Rat Pack releases. It would also be sufficient, if recording details (arranger, conductor, date) had been included instead of endless credits to the DM foundation. Last but not least, there would have been enough playing time for additional selections.
But here's the real thing, why you should get this one: With the hundreds of official and less official compilations around, you won't find a better-sounding source for the material provided here.
So add this to Nat's "Christmas Song", Frank's "Jolly Christmas" and the Rat Pack CD and have a merry Christmas!

If you're looking for the original versions of Dean doing these songs, this is the CD you're looking for. It's gone out of print, but it's still available here from private sellers. The new version of this, which has the exact same title, has replaced the female accompanying vocal in "Baby it's Cold Outside" with a new one.

I own just about every Dino/Rat Pack Christmas album they have, and I think this is the best Dean one to get. The sound quality is great, it has all the songs in one place (plus alternate versions), quotes in the liner notes, and the picture on the cover and the one inside aren't too bad, either ;) .

This CD compiles the "best" songs from Dean Martin's two Christmas albums (1959's A Winter Romance & 1966's The Dean Martin Christmas Album), plus the 1953 single "The Christmas Blues". Some songs appear twice on this disc, because Dean recorded them for both of his Christmas albums. The songs from A Winter Romance are "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", "White Christmas", "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm", "Baby, It's Cold Outside", "A Winter Romance", "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Winter Wonderland" (don't ask me why "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was on an album of "romantic" songs). The songs from The Dean Martin Christmas Album are "Silver Bells", "Winter Wonderland", "Blue Christmas", "Jingle Bells", "A Marshmallow World", "Silent Night", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and "White Christmas". Dean was a great singer of traditional pop songs, who projected a boyish sense of fun with his singing voice. He does quite well with these songs. His version of "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" is the best version of that song I've ever heard. Avoid the newer version of this CD, which has a contemporary remix of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Martina McBride dubbed in (nothing against her, but why tamper with a classic?).

Just a note on sound quality. Sixteen tracks are wide true stereo. Only track eleven is mono. Great fidelity.

On this album, Dean sings songs for family and old friends. Reminding us during this wonderous season that home, family and friends are the things that really matter. From the insert, Dean replied to how he would like to be remembered. He said, "As a damn good entertainer, nothing spectacular. A good entertainer who made people enjoy themselves; made them laugh a little..He was a nice guy. He went about his business. He did pretty good and we loved him, that's all." I think it can be said that he accomplished this goal.
Whether Christmas is under balmy or snow covered ground, this album is one to enjoy and well worth adding to the Christmas collection.

If you love Dean Martin, you will love this. His smooth, easy way of singing is a joy to the ears. If you're unfamiliar with Dino's music and are just looking for some Christmas music, watch out. You will fall in love with this fabulous singer!

Excellent Christmas / Dean Martin album. Much better than a Frank Sinatra Christmas album I bought last year.

THIS A WONDERFUL DEAN MARTIN CHRISTMAS CD. VOICE IS IMPECCABLE AS USUAL AND THIS IS A FESTIVE HOLIDAY CD. DEAN MARTIN IS WONDERFUL.

Processed and shipped in time for xmas; and dean martin is more cheesy than aunt mabel's cheese log....made the holiday!