Search - Dean Martin :: My Kind Of Christmas

Music To Warm Your Holiday Season

George M. Zavaglia | Brockport, NY | 11/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Whether "My Kind Of Christmas" makes it into your music collection will largely depend on how much of Dean Martin's seasonal repertoire you already own. Almost everything heard here is available on other CD's. The exception is "Winter Wonderland" which has been newly orchestrated to increase its' swing quotient. The result gives Martin collectors a reason to buy this CD, but doesn't ruin the mood created by the rest of the vintage tracks



These 14 songs are full of Christmas cheer. Dean breezes through stuff like "Jingle Bells" and "Let It Snow, "Let It Snow, Let It Snow". There's both a sense of enjoyment in his voice and humor in his delivery. Listen to the German accent this Italian balladeer gives Santa during "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer". Only Dino could get away with that!



A couple of tunes concern themselves more with what might go on under the mistletoe rather than Christmas itself. There's a bouncy version of "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" and the sly fun of a of a 1959 recording of "Baby It's Cold Outside" in which a female chorus tries to escape Dino's attempts to have a "hot time" on a cold and snowy evening.



There are also nostalgic and beautiful versions of "White Christmas", Silver Bells" and "Silent Night" that are sung smooth as silk. They'll make you think of the Christmas TV specials you used to know; the ones helmed by great singing hosts like Dino, Bing and Perry.



"My Kind Of Christmas" is NOT bad, just repetitive. I guess that's bound to happen, when you consider that unlike other singers with a bigger catalog of holiday themed material, Dean only made a total of two dozen studio recordings of this type. But, put this CD on as background music during a holiday get together this year and I'll bet more than a few of your guests will smile just a little bit bigger. Dean Martin's voice has a way of making people do that.

"

We've Got Dino To Keep Us Warm

Thomas Thomsen | Denmark | 11/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Forgive me if the title of my review is a little cheesy, but it's not that far off, is it? It's that time of the year again, and how I love it.

Some years ago I made sure to buy an Elvis Presley Christmas compilation (Christmas Peace) for my parents 'cause to me it's just not Christmas without Elvis or Dean. I always go to my parents' house for Christmas, and we always listen to Elvis Presley and Dean Martin while decorating the tree and having a few drinks, etc.



I received "My Kind Of Christmas" a couple of days ago, and I'm really enjoying it. The remastered sound is lovely. I'm a bit of a purist, but I actually really like the new "mix" of Winter Wonderland. In reality, the musical backing is brand new, only Dean's voice and the backing vocals are the same as the old version, but don't let that put you off, it works very well. The drums deliver a nice, punchy sound without overpowering the vocals, and the bassline sounds absolutely wonderful. For me, "My Kind Of Christmas" will be the soundtrack for this year's Christmas and for many Christmases to come. Thank God for Dean Martin's enduring legacy. Life just wouldn't be the same without Dino. Buy it now and warm up for Christmas.



Enjoy! And - Merry Christmas!"

You'll love this for years

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 11/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dean Martin crooned alongside the best of them; and I must say he's one of the very best male vocalists I've ever heard. This excellent CD offers us nothing but charming and timeless holiday music all performed flawlessly by Dean; and the quality of the sound is excellent. There's not a single dud in the bunch and the artwork is great.



The album starts with "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and Dean is in excellent form throughout the song! Other secular songs include the beautiful "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" with strings and percussion to enhance the number even more; "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" which has Dean never letting go of a superfluous note; "Winter Wonderland" which boasts a fine arrangement; "Jingle Bells" with that fine vocal backup; "Blue Christmas" which is a number I first heard performed by Elvis Presley and a sublime treatment of "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."



Of course there are other songs of note. "Silver Bells" has Dean Martin squarely in the spotlight--which is right where he belongs! "The Christmas Blues" is very well done and even easy on the ear; and I really like Dean's terrific rendition of "White Christmas." Excellent! In addition, Dean delivers "Silent Night" with genuine emotion and sensitivity; and "A Marshmallow World" is another song thrown in for fun--it all holds its own very well, too.



"I'll Be Home for Christmas" is one of my very favorite Christmas songs; it was my mother's favorite by far. The album also ends with Dean Martin outdoing even himself as he sings "Peace on Earth" and "Silent Night."



Dean Martin never disappointed his adoring fans; and this holiday album showcases Dean's exceptional ability to deliver Christmastime songs with panache. I highly recommend this CD for his fans; and people who enjoy classic holiday music are sure to like this album."