Making Spirits Bright [Import]

Dean Martin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 22, 1998)
• Original Release Date: September 22, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000009RV8
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,821 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

2. I'll Be Home For Christmas

3. Silver Bells

4. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

5. Winter Wonderland

6. Baby, It's Cold Outside

7. Blue Christmas

8. Jingle Bells

9. A Winter Romance

10. A Marshmallow World

11. The Christmas Blues

12. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer

13. Silent Night

14. White Christmas

15. Untitled

Editorial Reviews

1. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 2. I'll Be Home For Christmas 3. Silver Bells 4. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm 5. Winter Wonderland 6. Baby, It's Cold Outside 7. Blue Christmas 8. Jingle Bells 9. A Winter Romance 10. A Marshmallow World 11. The Christmas Blues 12. Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer 13. Silent Night 14. White Christmas 15. Untitled

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From The President of The Dean Martin Fan Center, September 12, 2000

By 

Neil T. Daniels (Arcadia, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Spirits Bright (Audio CD)

Around October every year we get hundreds of requests for Dean's old Christmas album (the one he recorded for Reprise). Many folks don't realize that this cd has most of those songs and songs from his earlier Capitol Christmas album as well. The Reprise tracks are often requested because it was recorded during the time Dean had his high rated TV show, and folks came to know and love his renditions of "Marshmallow World" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with the vocal group backing. For older fans, the big band sound of sharp and tight arrangements were the favorite from the Capitol Years... you can even hear Dean smiling broadly as he sings these songs of the season.

This album is one that you need to have, so when the holidays get closer, you can crawl up to the fire with a cup of hot chocolate (Dean would cringe) and warm thoughts, as Dean gets you in the mood in a hurry! I will bet you that out of all the Christmas music you will be playing, that this one will be the one always left in the cd player! For more information and recording dates on this cd and other Dean recordings, visit www.deanmartinfancenter.com

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making Spirits "Brighter", January 12, 2000

By 

Joseph Panzarella "joeytunes" (West Islip, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Spirits Bright (Audio CD)

Another interesting concept of incorporating recordings from Capitol and Reprise. As a kid growing up in Brooklyn Christmas "WAS" hearing Dean sing "A Marshmellow World". Dean recorded only two Christmas albums during his recording career and this compilation compliments them both. Some of the original songs from his "A Winter Romance" album for Capitol weren't included here but I think it was to make room for all of the other delights on this disc. There's a track titled "The Christmas Blues", this wasn't part of his original Capitol album, it was only available as a single, but it's part of this collection, that's a nice extra right there. The other thing I find interesting is both Capitol and Reprise versions of "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" are included on this disc, one version is a hidden bonus track, you won't know that unless you purchase this disc (or read my review). Overall I think this is the most complete and enjoyable Christmas release by Dean Martin.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Overdue Cheer on Martin's "Making Spirits Bright.", December 17, 2000

By 

Anthony G Pizza "trivialtony" (FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Spirits Bright (Audio CD)

Despite fondly remembered Christmas TV episodes and specials, Dean Martin has not been the Christmas annual labelmates Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole have. Perhaps his music seemed too easy, detached, even adult for some of the world's most revered carols and hymns.

But the 15 performances on "Making Spirits Bright," recorded over 15 years for Capitol and Reprise Records, show Dean's casual mastery of holiday songs to be as warm, witty, and cozy as his pop recordings. By the mid-1960s, he and producers Jimmy Bowen and Bill ("Raunchy") Justis had their easy listening/country sound down cold, and the familiar "Jingle Bills," "Winter Wonderland," and the splendid "Marshmallow World" swing with delightful string arrangements, punchy rhythm and even a few tossed-off Martin one-liners.

The 1950s Capitol recordings, produced by Lee Gillette (Cole's "The Christmas Song") are more dramatic and precise, but Martin still pulls the sleigh on a swinging "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm," "Let It Snow" (his Reprise version is also included) and the ballad "Winter Romance." Hearing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" recalls the mock duets Dean did with the Golddiggers and Ding-A-Ling Sisters on his classic 60s variety show.

If you wonder whether Dean took these projects seiously amid the TV shows, films, and concerts he seemed to so effortlessly master, listen to his touching, studied "Silent Night." It is as reverent a rendition as has been produced; only Martin's hit "Return To Me" is as heartfelt. It is a touching piece of this collection which, despite slipshod packaging (no holiday photos or session dates) finally gives Martin deserved space beside Cole, Como, and Crosby on holiday music shelves. Highly recommended, but also check out his "Greatest Hits" collection (again combining Capitol and Reprise recordings) and his "Dino" album of Italian songs.