Search - Dean Martin :: Capitol Collectors Series: Dean Martin

Joyce C. from GARDEN GROVE, CA
Reviewed on 4/26/2011...

Thank you Capitol Records. There are NO bad Dean Martin songs.. so thanks to a great record of this cool rat packer.

The Best of Dino's Capitol Years

Daniel Jolley | Shelby, North Carolina USA | 08/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a collection of Dean Martin's best songs from his years at Capitol records from 1948 to 1960; while many Dean Martin favorites were recorded in the first decade of his singing career, few of these songs were top 10 hits, which I find amazing and tragic. Even the wonderful song "You Belong To Me" never surpassed #12 on the charts. This is a great mix of Dean Martin trademarks such as "That's Amore," "Memories Are Made of This" (Dean's first #1 song), "Return to Me," and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" alongside less familiar but no less wonderful tracks such as "If," "I'd Cry Like a Baby," "Standing on the Corner," and "Innamorata." Overall, these songs offer even more proof to my theory that there is no such thing as a bad Dean Martin song. "That Certain Party" is a 1948 duet with Jerry Lewis, featuring jokes, impersonations, and typical Martin-Lewis comedy alongside the song itself. "Power Your Face With Sunshine" was Dino's first top 10 hit, cresting at the 10th spot in early 1949. "I Will Always Love You" was Dean's first significant love song to hit the charts. "If" is Dino's most beautiful song and my personal favorite, yet it did not even crack the top 10 upon its release in 1950. "Innamorata" is another masterpiece that is too easily overlooked in Dean's vast musical legacy. The classics "That's Amore," "Memories Are Made of This," "Volare," and "Return to Me" need no introduction from me. "Standing on the Corner" and its B-side companion "Watching the World Go By" offer a little different sound, as Dean is backed up by Dick Stabile and his orchestra on these fun, carefree tracks. "On an Evening in Roma" is reportedly released here for the first time in its original true stereo quality. I could go on praising each song, but it doesn't seem necessary. Dean Martin didn't sing songs; he gave vibrant life to them, which explains why these songs remain as amazing today as they were when Dino first released them. Obviously, this album contains no songs from Dean's later and more commercially successful years at Reprise records, but it offers 20 of his songs from 1948 to 1960, arranged in chronological order, with terrific sound quality and clarity quite rare among recorded songs from this time period. The liner notes are a delightful bonus to the whole package; they summarize Dean's career at Capitol Records, include images of the original single releases, and offer important information on each song (including recording date, release date, chart date, and highest chart position). Whether he's singing a lighthearted tune or serious Italian love song, Dean Martin forever delights my ears with his incredible and unique voice. This is a CD I am sure no Dean Martin fan does not already own."

Smoke A Cigar While I Sing

David Bradley | Sterling, VA USA | 05/29/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I read somewhere that Elvis, in his early days, cited Dean Martin as his major vocal influence. After listening to this CD, it's obvious the King was being sincere.For those of us who only know Martin from his "Celebrity Roast" television show, Dean-O's old records are a revelation. Such an incredible voice. He didn't get the songs that writers were throwing Sinatra's way, but he made the most of what he got. As the corny old saying goes, Dean Martin could have sung the telephone book and made it sound good."Ain't That A Kick In The Head," "Volare," and "That's Amore" are the best known tunes here--and probably the best songs here as well--but listen to this man sing, even on the lesser stuff. He had pipes that were just a step above so many singers who had more hits.And I kind of like "That Certain Party," the opening tune Martin does with Jerry Lewis. Martin & Lewis were a show-biz powerhouse for years, and "That Certain Party" captures the comic power they had--and also shows off those Martin pipes again."