Customer Reviews

Forever Cool (CD/DVD)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, let me state EXACTLY what this album is: This is an album of newly-created digital duets with new popular artists and Dean Martin. The arrangements are changed up and newly recorded as well.

Now the review: I am typically against these "new duets" simply because I feel that a lot of them are simply created to cash in on the late artist's legacy. This album is different however, as it seems that this was created with the utmost taste. It is not so disgustingly over-produced and slick as Frank Sinatra's Duets albums. Yes, all but two of the cuts are in front of Capitol's house band, but the band is tough and very real sounding, and though occasional mistakes do occur, it simply adds to the charm of the record.

How about sound quality? Well, it is top-notch. Dean's voice does not sound 'canned' like many of these studio-created duets sound. He sounds as if he was there, singing in time, on key and having a blast. Even little non-singing interactions between Dean and the other vocalists sound true-to-life.

I think that this album has the potential to introduce Dean Martin to a whole new generation of listeners, and my wish is that it does just that. It is a well-produced, fun listen, that will keep you interested from beginning to end (barring one awful duet--Joss Stone's is a little..."hard on the ears.") I hope sincerely that more "re-done" Martin recordings are produced with better sound (no more Reprise "stereo seperation" aka Band on one side, Choir on the other, Dean in the middle).

-------------------->5 Stars<--------------------

The DVD is also a good investment with videos of the recordings and interviews with the people involved with the project.

I am a big Dino fan and have most everything he has ever recorded. This is a wonderful addition to my collection and amazing quality. Lots of fun ...

If your a Dean Martin fan and love his music, this is an absolute must for you. The people that put this CD together should get some kind of an award. Well worth the price for many hours of listening entertainment. I wish they would produce more CD's like this one. I'm no Dean Martin, but I sure love singing along to it.

For all of you who don't know Dean Martin or his music, this CD/DVD is a "must have". This man and his music is amazing! Even if you're a fan of Rock, Hop-Hop, R&B or Jazz...or all of the above, Dean Marin is in a class and genre all his own.

Dean Martin is "Mr. Music".

A fan forever,

Cool.

Being a Dino fan, I wasn't sure how I felt about this release..until I heard it! The new arrangements and recordings sound simply fantastic and swingin'. All the duet partners and instrumentalists hold their own very well (especially Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Chris Botti, Dave Koz, Martina McBride & Paris Bennett), but Dino truly does shine. My favorite track is the ACappella "Brahm's Lullaby". Anybody who would actually listen to this could never give it a poor review. The production value is top notch and timeless.

I hope this creates a buzz in the music world...and quality music makes a big comeback.

This is an awesome item for any Dean Martin fan! Marvellous CD and DVD!

The duets are great, but the DVD has just wonderful videos of Dean with his family.

Pleasant and worth the money. Dean is great as always. The studio banter is an especially sweet bonus. There are a couple of disappointments. Kevin Spacey is great on his first song on this CD but he totally ruins "trailer for sale". The duet on arrevaderci roma is not very good at all. However "BABY O" with Paris Bennett is worth the price of the CD. I am sorry to say I've never heard of her but WOW!! She phrases her lyrics in the perfect style that you would expect for that era and type of song. You won't be disappointed. Dean's solo and the last song on the CD is out of this world. What a voice!! Oh ya if the Martin family is reading hears a message: Get control over your dad's video and audio legacy you could bring us so much more great stuff. Look at the Elvis Presley estate.

This is a really sorry tribute to the great Dean Martin. Is this the best we can do? Kevin Spacey?...Kevin 'freakin' Spacey???! Butchering Bobby Darin, wasn't enough? His accompaniment is nearly as embarrasing as Regis Philbin's on the Guthy-Renker commercials for the TV Roasts. Who are these people, anyway? I needed to check with Wikipedia to figure out who most of them are. Charles Aznavour??? I hear he's huge in Armenia! I cringed through the entire song. Joss Stone offers another 'nails on the blackboard' rendition. Paris Bennett(a Fifth place runner-up from the also fifth season of American Idol...thanks, Wiki) gives the best offering here. Playful and cute, she understands where Dean was coming from on 'Baby-O'. But a fifth runner-up from a TV talent show?!!! This man used to swing with Sinatra...Bing,,,Judy Garland...Ella, The Mills Brothers, Sammy, Satchmo & the cream of the crop... Tiziano Ferro? I haven't even looked him up yet! Was Ricky Martin too busy? Rico Suave on tour? This collection should have stuck with the musicians like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (cool in their own right), Dave Koz, Chris Botti & The Capitol house band...How Brian Setzer missed these sessions I'll never know...Even the studio chatter is mostly re-released rehash...Purchase the Martin/Martina duet for the holidays and spend the rest of your money on something cooler...like those roasts that Regis is hawking. If you've read this far...thanks for listening! JVR

I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CD/DVD. NOT ENOUGH OF DEAN MARTIN HIMSELF. I DID NOT REALIZE IT WAS NOT GOING TO HAVE ACTUAL FILM FOOTAGE (NOT JUST PHOTOS) OF DEAN & CAN BARELY GET PAST THE ARTISTS WHO FEEL THEY ARE TALENDTED ENOUGH TO EVEN SLIGHTLY MEASURE UP TO SUCH AN ALL-TIME GREAT LIKE DEAN MARTIN. NONE COMPARE IN VOCAL TALENT OR COOL. DEAN MARTIN WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A BRIGHT STAR ALL BY HIMSELF! NOBODY LIKE HIM - NEVER WILL BE.
THANKS FOR THE EFFORTS THOUGH; DEAN NO DOUBT SMILES UPON YOU ALL AS HE WALKS AWAY...... FOREVER COOL.