Search - Dean Martin :: Capitol Years

A Beautiful Voice

Amanda | Encino, CA | 10/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dean Martin's voice is much like satin, smooth to listen to, yet exhuding the mood of his songs to perfection. The entire CD is great for anyone who may have heard of him, such as his inclusion of the Rat Pack, or may have appreciated one of his hits such as "Amore". This extensive collection features what an incredible performer he truly was, with a velvet voice that was extremely underratred when compared to the success of his fellow Rat Packer Frank Sinatra. Although it is not by any means just for oldies' fans, is relaxing and wonderful to hear- it makes me smile. I had only heard very little of his work, but was interested enough to buy this- I have not regretted it, and listen to it often on my CD player, instead of the current top hits on the radio ( I am 24). A great buy,and is better, in my estimation, than Frank Sinatra's greatest hits CDs. He had a remarkable voice and talent. It is great also because it includes many smooth love songs, as well as upbeat big-band type songs as well."

Oh, how Dean could sell a song--and that's no small feat !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dean Martin will always remain one of the greatest performers of the entire twentieth century. He could croon out a song and make it seem so effortless--although of course we know it isn't that easy to perform on the very high level that Dean always did. He sang with his heart and soul; and he could wrap his adoring audiences around his little pinky finger. This CD of recordings from his years at Capitol Records proves it.



The two CD set is bursting with great hits and lesser known numbers that feature Dean's voice in perfect form. Dean's voice is rich, warm, and full of a certain special masculine sensitivity that I rarely experience. The first CD opens with "Memories Are Made Of This;" Dean sings this with panache and he is very ably backed up by Dick Stabile and The Easy Riders. The remarkable strength of Dean's voice maintains a sensitivity that shines like gold. Awesome! "Powder Your Face With Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!) features Dean singing to his woman as he encourages her to enjoy life with him. The perfect piano solo is terrific and the musical arrangement makes good use of the horns, too.



Other gems on the first CD of this two CD set include "Solitaire;" this lesser known Dean Martin ballad gives Dean the chance to sing about his sadness over a love gone awry. "You Belong To Me" showcases Dean's talent as he performs this classic love ballad to perfection. The musical arrangement, rich with violins, complements Dean's vocals to perfection.



The first CD also gives us previously unreleased tracks; you get "Susan;" "The Peanut Vendor" and an alternate version of "I'd Cry Like A Baby." This represents a huge plus for Dean Martin fans as well as fans of classic pop vocals everywhere.



"That's Amore," one of Dean Martin's earliest hits, features Dean in excellent form; this song will strike you with its beauty and Dean's singular ability to deliver a song and instantly make it his own with his voice as an instrument. The first CD even gives you a duet Dean performs with Jerry Lewis entitled "Every Street's A Boulevard (In Old New York)." Dean also sings a duet with Nat King Cole as they sing the playful "Open Up The Doghouse (Two Cats Are Coming In)." Great!



The second CD packs a punch; "Carolina In The Morning" features Dean crooning with Dick Stabile's Dixie Cats; "Carolina In The Morning" again showcases Dean's voice as a strong, beautiful masculine instrument. No wonder the ladies flipped over Dean! "Innamorata (Sweetheart)" is perhaps the most romantic, slow paced love ballad on this CD; Dean sings to perfection. The arrangement makes great use of the strings to enhance the beauty of the number, too. "Return To Me (Ritorna-Me)" is in the same vein except that "Return To Me (Ritorna-Me)" lets Dean sing once more of a love gone wrong.



"Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)" stuns you with its beauty as Dean sings this in both English and Italian; and one of my personal favorites is "On An Evening In Roma (Sott'er Celo De Roma) which glistens like a golden nugget! Dean delivers "Non Dimenticar" without a superfluous note; you will be thrilled with this classic love ballad sung as only Dean could sing it.



The liner notes give you excellent photos of Dean and The Rat Pack; and there is an extensive, informative essay about Dean and his career by Joseph F. Laredo, too. You get the song credits and there is a brief story about each of the songs on this CD set, too. Excellent!



I know that it may appear that I am being flowery or effusive as you read this review but Dean's artistry truly was on a level I rarely experience. Just one listen to these two CDs proves his remarkable talent more than my review ever could.



I highly recommend this not just for Dean's fans but also for fans of classic pop vocals. People who enjoy great artistry from The Rat Pack will enjoy this two CD set as well.



Make it Dean Martin tonight!!!

"

Vintage Dino

Scott T. Rivers | Los Angeles, CA USA | 04/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The two-disc "Capitol Years" set represents a fine overview of Dean Martin's recording career from 1949 to 1961. Along with the essential hits and album tracks, there are a few rarities such as "It's 1200 Miles From Palm Springs to Texas" and "My Guiding Star" - not to mention a 1959 live medley at Hollywood's Moulin Rouge. Detailed liner notes and some rare Dino memorabilia make this package a class act."