Customer Reviews

Making Spirits Bright

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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

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.

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.

"Making Spirits Bright", the "new" Christmas offering from Dean Martin is an absolute gem! Anyone familiar with Mr. Martin's work knows that he had a certain way with a tune...he actually seemed to enjoy what he was doing and that feeling was translated into his music. This latest release from Capitol is actually a compilation of songs from Dean's "A Winter Romance" LP & his "Dean Martin's Christmas Album" (which was originally released by Reprise and has not been available on disc). Suffice to say, every song is a treasure, but the standout is "Silent Night". Dean's rendition is of this Christmas classic is the most beautiful version I have ever heard, bar none.

For so long the only way to truly enjoy Dean's christmas music Disc was on Winter Romance. It wasn't even true Christmas music. Finally the powers that be have allowed some of Dean's finest work pertaining to the Holiday Season to be released on CD. Many of the songs are from the Dean Martin Christmas album, circa 1967 and haven't been heard since. For those looking for fun, enjoyable, "have a good time" christmas music....this IS the ticket. My family grew up listening to Marshmallow World and Let it Snow Let it Snow. It is about time that we got to hear from the man that meant as much to christmas as Dean Martin did. Kudo's to Amazon for providing us the opportunity to reaquaint ourselves with Deano

I love this album! I looked for "Marshmallow World" for several years and finally finding it has actually made my Christmas because it brings back so many fun memories. I ended up buying 10 of these CD's because so many visitors loved it that it turned out to be a great gift. I love every song on it,but "Marshmallow World" best of all. I don't care if he does slur through half of the lyrics, maybe he had the right idea about the holidays.

I purchased this disc from Amazon last year and it immediately became my all-time favorite Christmas disc. With apologies to Bing, Perry, and Nat, listening to Dean croon the standards makes me want to grab a cocktail, surround myself with friends, and make spirits bright. The CD itself is first rate: excellent sound and informative booklet. Happy Holidays!

Really nothing to add to the other reviewers than to say this is one of the Top 5 Christmas albums of all-time. When you put it on at a party everyone loves it and it evokes memories of watching Dino on tv when you were a kid! He is greatly missed, but thanks to Capitol for this wonderful compilation. You can just hear the joy in Dino's voice as he romps through this CD. We can only hope there's some "lost" Dean Martin Christmas tapes that are hidden away in Capitol's archives somewhere for a vol. 2!

Dean may be gone, but he's still the coolest thing around. This is the music of Christmas. Of my 50 or so Christmas albums, this is the one I played over and over and over. Buy it...Dean won't let you down.

This compendium from Martin's Capitol and Reprise years provides Christmas cheer aplenty. Dean does Elvis proud with his version of I'll Be Home For Christmas, gives Bing plenty of competition on White Christmas and scores on Blue Christmas as well. There are no misses on this cd.

Dean was given choice material on both his Capitol and Reprise Christmas albums so this cd is not burdened with some of the insipid junk that Dean was forced to perform during his recording career (especially at Capitol).

Two of Deans least known but best numbers are a treat to hear again. Winter Romance and Christmas Blues. The former will have you imagining yourself sipping eggnog around a roaring fire with that special "someone", while the latter captures the forlorn feeling of a breakup during the holiday season.

Turn on this cd, start the fire and trim the tree!