Customer Reviews

Dean Martin - All-Time Greatest Hits

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've owned this CD for over eight years now so I guess it's about time I reviewed it for Amazon. I have never let this one gather dust at the back of some shoe box in a closet somewhere. Indeed, just the opposite is true--whenever I feel anxious and just want some soothing, beautiful music to listen to in order to calm down I grab this CD and pop it into my CD player.

One reason why this song set never fails to sooth me is the beauty of the songs Dean Martin sings here. His voice is in excellent form and the musical arrangements are all very good, even if the horns are a little too loud at the beginning of "You Belong To Me." The song "Sway" is romantic, too; and "Standing On The Corner" is a classic '40s and '50s type crooner guy song about how beautiful women are.

The CD ends with "Come Back To Sorrento" which is somehow a type of flourishing last note for this song set. It fits in well and the songs have been very well organized.

Now I have to consider the other side of the coin. As Amazon notes, whichever group of people who made this CD could have (and should have) been more generous with the music we get here. Of course it's all great; but with 12 songs in 33 minutes they could have added at least one more song. The CD also represents only Dean's "all-time greatest hits" recorded during his contract with Capitol Records. I would say that for a few bucks more you should consider buying the CD entitled Dino: The Essential Dean Martin instead. That CD has selections from both the Capitol years and the Reprise years (after Dean left Capitol Records he recorded on the Reprise label). It's a much more comprehensive selection. But, if you're on a budget--or, if you don't know much about Dean Martin and just want an inexpensive CD to start out with, then maybe you should pick this CD after all. Just be aware that some will argue--with good reason--that the songs on this CD are not ALL of Dean Martin's "all-time greatest hits."

Similarly, the liner notes, although very well written by Don Ovens, do not discuss the work Dean did at Reprise Records. The history of Dean's professional career is encapsulated pretty nicely, however, in the one page essay. Songs credits are also given which is something I always like to see.

In short, this is a very relaxing CD full of beautiful music that is great for persons on a budget or people new to Dean who just want to try a Dean Martin CD without spending too much money. While it is not comprehensive, I also would recommend it for fans of classic pop vocals.

This is a good disc to grab up most of Dino's biggest Capitol recordings. Seven of the twelve tracks are Italian numbers which is not unusual, this is Dino we're talking about. The swinger on the disc is "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You", and in my opinion the best ballad on the disc is "Innamorata". There really are no filler tracks here, each song is pure Dino.

Steubenville, you must be proud of the man. Every song makes you feel good, and Dean's smooth delivery is as fresh as the day he decided to give up being a blackjack dealer. Buy this and play it til Somebody Loves You!!! Then you must compare it to his live stuff as well, as he is now featured in the Ratpack Uncensored. the studio quality of this CD is much higher than the live performance, but the comparison is well worth it, to get a flavor for his sense of humor.

I never understood why Dean Martin never received the recognition that Frank Sinatra received for his music. I love Sinatra's music, but listen to the romantic, smoooooth, sing-along music of Dean Martin. I always knew he had a very sexy and easy listening voice and I enjoy all his music. He has never been given the credit, but they sure use his songs in movies off and on..... I love this CD and I will play it forever. Thanks!

I AM IRISH/GERMAN BUT I WAS PRACTICALLY RAISED BY AN ITALIAN FAMILY WHO LOVED DEANO. THIS IS THE CD I SELECTED TO BEGIN MY OWN COLLECTION OF DEAN'S HITS, AND I WAS EXTREMELY PLEASED. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I CAN LISTEN TO THIS CD FOR HOURS AND STILL ENJOY EACH SONG OVER AND OVER.

Hard to go wrong with this. Some of Dino's better known work! The sound quality isn't bad, making this is a great selection to drive to, or just kick back and unwind with!

Not one recording in this collection leaves the listener flat. Indeed, each stands on its own in substance and depth. My favorite is "That's Amore" because it has a special private meaning. Continuing, though, one wonders how an Italian velvety smooth voice can create a vision of twilight in the South Pacific when singing "Return to Me." While it may not take place on an island beach, the softness and satin-like coolness of this recording brings forth such a vision--how utterly refreshing. The warmth of Mr. Martin's voice has been a gift to us all.

There is no doubt that Dean Martin has a great voice. He amply demonstrates that on this recording. Also, as the title suggests, these are some of his greatest hits. After hearing them, I recognized most of them. The problem is that I didn't care all that much for them. Somehow, I thought the songs would be different. This is MY fault, not the recording's.

These selections tend heavily towards the Italianate. "Volare", "Innamorta" and "Non Dimenticar" are largely sung in Italian. Most, but not all, of the others, have something to do with Italy. Again, there is nothing wrong with this, it is just not what I was expecting. Perhaps if one were trying to set the mood for an intimate Italian dinner, this would be a good selection. It you particularly like the songs, it would be a good choice as well. The quality of the recording is good.

DEAN MARTIN CAPTURES THE MOOD AND THE MOMENT AND I REALLY THINK THAT THESE WERE SOME OF HIS PERSONAL FAVORITES AS HE EXPRESSES JUST THE RIGHT EMOTION AND PHRASING THAT ACCENTUATES HIS OWN RELAXING STYLE. EXCELLENT!!!

This is a definite must for the Dean Martin fan. The main reason that I can suggest this is because, you will find many of Dino's classics on this one disc.

This will give you many of Dean's major hits without purchasing several of his albums.