Search - Dean Martin :: Christmas with Dino

As it had to be done...

Stefan Huber | Bischofstetten Austria | 11/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For years, I wondered, why there was no real Holiday album by Dean Martin: The answer is that simple: Dino cut two Christmas albums, one for Capitol and one for Reprise, but each of them contained only a bunch of Christmas-related selections. So, if you really want to get a Holiday album by DM, get this one!

Featured here are the Holiday cuts from the Capitol album "A Winter Romance", selections from "The Dean Martin Christmas Album" on Reprise Records, plus a somewhat rare selection from a Capitol single. Beside the now Dino-trademark Capitol recordings of "Winter Wonderland" and "Let It Snow!", you will learn how these tracks sounded, when Dino re-recorded them nearly a decade later. Of course, a compilation of this kind fully qualifies for five stars, but there are still a few things, that could have been better: First of all, Capitol recently finds it unnecessary to include liner notes for the Rat Pack releases. It would also be sufficient, if recording details (arranger, conductor, date) had been included instead of endless credits to the DM foundation. Last but not least, there would have been enough playing time for additional selections.

But here's the real thing, why you should get this one: With the hundreds of official and less official compilations around, you won't find a better-sounding source for the material provided here.

So add this to Nat's "Christmas Song", Frank's "Jolly Christmas" and the Rat Pack CD and have a merry Christmas!"

Remind me to do my Dean Martin impersonation for you sometim

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 12/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD compiles the "best" songs from Dean Martin's two Christmas albums (1959's A Winter Romance & 1966's The Dean Martin Christmas Album), plus the 1953 single "The Christmas Blues". Some songs appear twice on this disc, because Dean recorded them for both of his Christmas albums. The songs from A Winter Romance are "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!", "White Christmas", "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm", "Baby, It's Cold Outside", "A Winter Romance", "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" and "Winter Wonderland" (don't ask me why "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was on an album of "romantic" songs). The songs from The Dean Martin Christmas Album are "Silver Bells", "Winter Wonderland", "Blue Christmas", "Jingle Bells", "A Marshmallow World", "Silent Night", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and "White Christmas". Dean was a great singer of traditional pop songs, who projected a boyish sense of fun with his singing voice. He does quite well with these songs. His version of "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" is the best version of that song I've ever heard. Avoid the newer version of this CD, which has a contemporary remix of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Martina McBride dubbed in (nothing against her, but why tamper with a classic?)."

Best Dino Christmas CD to own

Presley54 | 12/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own just about every Dino/Rat Pack Christmas album they have, and I think this is the best Dean one to get. The sound quality is great, it has all the songs in one place (plus alternate versions), quotes in the liner notes, and the picture on the cover and the one inside aren't too bad, either ;) ."