Customer Reviews

Dino: The Essential Dean Martin

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay... One would think that being the president & founder of Dean's official Fan Organization, I would have left 5 star comments on every Dino CD & Video release - WRONG! The only reviews I have made are for those releases that are important and relevant for the fans of this great crooner.
I had the unique pleasure of being around Dean every week during the taping of his TV Variety Show, and I also had the opportunity of hearing him sing just about every song he ever recorded (or did for the first time).
I never thought any record or tape could honestly capture the true vibrations of his voice. Dean could paint a song with just the slightest movement in a note, but it was never fully captured until the advent of CD and digital remastering. Now, every breath is heard, and the world can discover Dean Martin's talent for phrasing and control over a lyric. This cd spans Dean's entire recording career with his biggest and best remembered songs. Hear for yourself why the public loved listening to his voice, and why he was such a draw when performing live... even though these are all STUDIO recordings that were captured and stored protectively in the Capitol and Reprise Record vaults. It's time for a new generation to discover, and an old generation to be blown away by this cd! AAA+++ and 5 stars!
-Neil T Daniels founder and president of the Dean Martin Fan Center www.deanmartinfancenter.com

My girlfirend is Italian and her father was a professionnal musician. When we first listened to this cd, we just could not stop! One great hit after another. One song brought tears to my girlfriend's eyes as it was a song that her father used to sing to his daughters to put them to sleep (Returna me). Wonderful, magical moments. Great cd!

When I saw the cover of this cd advertised I jumped for joy. But then I took a look closer and noticed that 2/3 of the 30 tracks are the SAME Dean Martin songs we are always given. If you're a huge fan, you'll get this for the rare unrecycled tracks that slide through. I certaintly may get this at a later time. But not right now. Cause the last "definite" Dean Martin collection I got was 1998's Greatest Hits: King of Cool, which really isn't that far off. The moment I get this one there could be another hits album released. So I don't know. Rating: 4 1/2 on content. 3 on necessity,

Really, how can you go wrong with Dino?

Although it includes the predictable classics, this collection goes beyond just being a nice Sunday afternoon listen. Martin's trademark smooth and mellow voice takes listeners through standards like Return to Me, Volare, Sway and You're Nobody 'til Somebody loves you, but the 30 track compilation also includes lesser known Dean Martin gems like Houston (catchy - you'll sing it for hours later, even though I have no real idea why), Under the Bridges of Paris, and Gentle on My Mind.

Somehow, Dino always manages to capture the romance, the humour, the wink and the hope - whether he's singing about love or just standing on the corner, watching the girls go by (an impish and slightly now-politically-incorrect precis of what is apparently one of the favourite pass-times of guys around the world and through out history). Equally suited to a quiet day at home with a good book and a cup of tea or coffee and a mellow evening with dinner, good company and a more Rat Pack-esque beverage, if you at all enjoy crooner classics, mellow stylings and if you take your romance and schmaltz with a splash of irreverence, The Essential Dean Martin is a great addition to your collection. File under "Listening Enjoyment "or "Impress the Lady".

For more than 50 years the world has had the very great privilege of being entertained by the one and only Dean Martin. Fans of all ages have enjoyed Dean's undeniable charm and cool wit, and his place in American pop culture is undisputed. He was part of one of the most successful comedy teams ever, made numerous movies including comedies, dramas, and westerns, had a TV show that was highly rated and ran for almost two decades, performed live in concert to millions of adoring fans, and was a cornerstone of one of the most hip and talented group of men the world has ever seen, The Rat Pack! All that said, it was Dean's elegant voice and easy phrasing and style that was the common thread that ran through all of his many outstanding accomplishments.

This CD, "Dino: The Essential Dean Martin", is a wonderful gathering of tunes that represent Dean's many years as a recording artist and bring back memories of a time when his velvety tones and suave ways enchanted listeners everywhere. There is something on this CD for everyone. Songs like "That's Amore" and "Standing On The Corner" reflect the fun, joyous side of Dean, while his versions of "Return to Me" and "Volare" epitomize the deep passion and yearning we all feel when were in love. If you like to swing, look no further than "Ain't That a Kick in the Head", my favorite Dean Martin song. "Memories Are Made of This", "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You", and his signature song "Everybody Loves Somebody" are also great tunes, and Dean's treatments are truly unforgettable. Young and old alike enjoy and treasure Dean Martin's music for good reason, it is truly timeless. If you are already a Dean Martin fan, I guess all of this is old news and I am just preaching to the choir, but if you're not a Dean Martin fan yet, then this excellent representation of his musical career is the perfect beginning to your Dean Martin music collection.

If you enjoy listening to crooners and Big Band Swing, I would also suggest Monte Procopio "Swingin' With Style" CD. His 13-piece band really swings and deserves a listen.

There are not enough adjectives to explain just how great this cd is. Do yourself a favor and get this cd today. You will have many enjoyable hours of listening to the beautiful voice of Dean Martin. Give a copy to someone you love and share a gift of music that they are sure to enjoy.

I'm only 21 but I appreciate Dino. Having only some of his Rat Pack stuff, i looked forward to this and was not unimpressed. There are some incredible songs on here, "standing on the Corner" is somehow just funny. But to help enhance your Dean Martin collection I also recommend "Ee-O-Eleven" the best of the rat pack and "Italian love Songs." These two other collections will allow you to collect the songs "When your Smiling" and "On an evening in Roma", which are not found on here, but still great songs.

Where's "Your Other Love"?! An underrated song.

Ahhh Dean Martin - what a remarkable performer.
Whoever sings "When the moona hits your eye like a biga pizza pie that's amore" without thinking of Dean Martin?
His deliberate vibrato voice classics are here like: "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You", "Everybody Loves Somebody" and my favorite that only he could sing with such feeling: "Return to Me (Ritorna-Me)"
"Send Me The Pillow You Dream On" is as lovely as the first time I ever heard it.
His warmth, that dimple on the side of his face when he smiled, and his humility allowed him to get away with a corniness that he alone could deliver with so much impeccable timing that always left an audience wanting more.
Charisma and that supple voice by Dean Martin..... unique and missed.

Along with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin was and will always be one of the most outstanding entertainers of all time.