Dino: The Essential Dean Martin

Dean Martin | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 1, 2004
• Release Date: June 1, 2004
• Label: Capitol
• Copyright: (C) 2004 Capitol Records, Inc.
• Total Length: 1:17:59
• Genres:
• ASIN: B000SXOKUA
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,557 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the ultimate definition of "easy listening", August 23, 2004

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dino: The Essential Dean Martin (Audio CD)

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''.

The 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.

It'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.

The 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 b&w photos of the very cool Mr. Martin.

The sound overall is quite good, and total running time is 77'59.

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bonus disc is really for collectors only, June 11, 2005

By 

Mark C. Gionfriddo - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dino: The Essential Dean Martin (Special Platinum Edition) (2CD) (Audio CD)

This was already a fine sampling of Dean's single hits dating from 1949-1969 from the Capitol and Reprise catalogs. It originally came out in 2004, and I did not purchase it then because I had these songs on other compilations. But Capitol has now reissued it with a bonus disc titled "Live from Lake Tahoe, California-July 27, 1962". There is no explanation as to the location of the show, but it appears to be the opening night of Dean's engagement at the newly renovated Cal-Neva Lodge, an establishment owned by Frank Sinatra, Martin, Hank Sanicola and reputedly several other interesting silent partners. (One wonders if Marilyn Monroe was in attendance at this show? She sought refuge at the Cal-Neva shortly before her death eight days later on August 5th.)

I opted to pick up this "Special Platinum Edition" for the bonus. There's a quick intro from Frank, and it's the usual 'direct from the bar' line. For those who have heard Dean's legendary lounge act before, the jokes are familiar. Musically, there are a few new nuggets: Dean's breezy but swinging take on Sinatra's "My Kind Of Girl" by Leslie Bricusse, a slow and bluesy version of "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With A Dixie Melody)", and another sweet slow swinger jokingly dedicated to Eddie Fisher, "Break It To Me Gently". But that's about it. Where's the rest of the show? The disc fades out to silence. I suspect there is more but we will have to be satisfied with this for now. It's a shame because the concert is sonically quite good- the orchestra is miked close, even occasionally covering Dino a tad when he's mumbling more than singing.

The included booklet has three enjoyable but short essays from Stevie Van Zandt, Deana Martin and Gail Martin Downey, plus some studio pictures of Dean at work and complete track information for the first disc. Again, no info is given for the bonus disc except for brief track info on the back of the jewel case and the silver shrink wrap which protects it.

So it's up to you if you want to plunk down the extra money to buy this reissue. If you are a collector, then you probably will. There are plenty of other discs with live shows of Dean solo or with the Rat Pack, and this bonus disc is not the definitive version of Dino in concert in the 60's. The first disc's hits are obviously great for a introduction to Martin's crooning, plus both discs sound great, so it does deserve four stars- and had it included a complete Cal-Neva show, it would've probably earned a five star rating.

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Tan Man In The Tuxedo, September 22, 2004

By 

F. Hagan (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Dino: The Essential Dean Martin (Audio CD)

More than half of one of the greatest comedy teams of all time, more than a Rat Packer, and more than the host of a highly rated variety show, the man who made a tuxedo look as comfortable as a t-shirt: Dean Martin was the substance of cool. The Essential Dean Martin (Capitol) stands out among other greatest hits collections, in that it combines the Capitol and Reprise hit singles into one stunning package of memorable excellence. The liner notes and accompanying booklet studied alone are a treasure, with words from Stevie Van Zandt and Dean's children Deanna and Gail, the release dates for each song and its peak chart position, and the obligatory black & white photos of the master song stylist himself.

It's safe to say that it's all here, from the recognizable standard to some of the most sought after ballads. From the beautiful and hard to find waltz "Under the Bridges of Paris" to the quintessential rumba "Sway," listening to Dean's velvety, smooth vocals is only pure joy. At a time when rock n' roll ruled the charts, Dean was slipping through gems like "That's Amore," and attaching his name forever to Italian themed hits like "Volare" and "Inamorata." Dean was charming and swinging with "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" and "You're nobody `Til Somebody Loves You." He knocked the Beatles off of #1 with "Everybody Loves Somebody," and swept the girls away with love songs like "Return to Me" and "I'll Always Love You." Western styled selections from the 60's are here as well, like "Houston," and "Gentle on My Mind." Truly, from "Powder Your Face With Sunshine" to "Just In Time," this is a wonderful starting place for a new fan of Dean, or a great summation of his career for a loyal follower. There's a comforting spirit of truth and optimism in the relaxed styling of a man who was the world's coolest crooner. This is the Dean Martin collection to own, for its diversity, its history, and its warm and tipsy dedication to the handsome tan man in the tuxedo.