Search - Dean Martin :: Gentle on My Mind/I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am

DEAN SINGS WITH UNDENIABLY BOUNDLESS POSITIVE ENERGY--BRAVO,

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Dean Martin sings it's like listening to silk; and this twofer CD entitled "Gentle On My Mind/I Take a Lot of Pride In What I Am" is no exception! Dean sounds great. Even in the late 1960s Dean could still take any tune and make it sound singularly beautiful. The quality of the music on the album is excellent; and the artwork copies the artwork from the record album releases back in 1968 and 1969.



The album starts with the songs from the record album entitled "Gentle On My Mind." The first song, "Not Enough Indians," is just about my very favorite style of country. The musical arrangement uses the brass and the strings to great advantage and Dean never falters--great! The backup chorus helps out even though Dean didn't need it--bit it sounds good anyway. "That Old Time Feelin'" isn't the best track but it does showcase Dean's vocal talents; on the other hand I really like "Welcome To My Heart." "Welcome To My Heart" charms me with its beauty; Dean swings lightly to make this tune memorable and he was still every bit the champ he always was. Another highlight of this album is a cover of Glen Campbell's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix;" Dean sings this with panache and I'm very impressed.



"Gentle On My Mind" is absolutely wonderful; Dean sings this Glen Campbell hit so well that I actually prefer it to Glen's rendition! "Rainbows Are Back In Style" has that late `60s adult contemporary sound to it mixed with just a twist of country to make it shine. Thank goodness the backup chorus never stole the spotlight from Dean! "April Again" ends the numbers from "Gentle On My Mind;" and this ballad gets a very lush arrangement.



We then get the tracks from Dean's album entitled "I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am." Dean starts with the title song, which is full of energy and catchy lyrics that I won't forget anytime soon. Great! "Where the Blue and Lonely Go" is a poignant ballad that features Dean squarely front and center--and that country sound is excellent for this tune. I like that percussion, too! "If You Ever Get Around To Loving Me" is another number that uses a background chorus. Dean sings this faultlessly and I enjoy "If You Ever Get Around To Loving Me" very much. "The Sun Is Shinin' (On Everybody But Me)" is a bluesy ballad that sounds anything but bluesy; Dean and the musicians make this shine like a golden nugget and I really like "The Sun Is Shinin' (On Everybody But Me)."



"The Sneaky Little Side of Me" has a great arrangement and Dean sings this with style; and the album closes nicely with Dean Martin performing "Little Green Apples." "Little Green Apples" has a mellow sound to it as Dean sings this to perfection--and beyond! "Little Green Apples" is a sensitive love song and it makes a wonderful ending for this twofer CD.



Dean Martin never disappointed his fans--ever. This twofer CD brings his magical vocal talents back to us years after we so sadly lost him. Dean Martin fans will consider this a "must-have" for their collections; and people who enjoy those late 1960s adult contemporary ballads with a country twist will love this album for years to come.

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A few gems

Vincent T. Lynch | Colorado Springs, Colorado | 05/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not Dean's best Reprise work, but there are some real gems here. Two of the cuts are just plain fun ("Not Enough Indians" and "Rainbows Are Back In Style:...unusual, playful arrangement on the latter). Four cuts are wonderful -- "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "Gentle On My Mind" (nice horn arrangement), "That's When I See The Blues" (fine country), and the ballad "April Again". Recommended."

DEANS BEST REPRISE COMPILATION

Brad F. Stender | FAIRFIELD CT | 10/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS IS THE BEST REPRISE COMPILATION DEAN MARTIN. I HAVE ALL OF THEM AND THE ORIGINAL ALBUMS.NOW ITS TRUE I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT DEAN SINGING THE YELLOW PAGES BUT THIS COMPILATION IS WORTH GETTING FOR NEW FANS OR LONGER LOVERS OF DEANS CAREER.GET IT. DEANS VERSIONS OF GENTLE ON MY MIND RIVALS CAMPBELLS,AND HIS I TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN WHAT I AM , IS THE BEST VERSION, BETTER THAN HAGGARDS.GET THIS CD."