Wonderful album by Dean Martin
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/18/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hey, Brother, Pour the Wine has quite a few marvelous numbers performed by the incomparable Dean Martin. The quality of the sound is excellent and this gives us several of Dean's singles that never made it onto a vinyl record album back in the day. The artwork is very nicely done, too.
"Hey, Brother, Pour The Wine" is both the title song and a great number by Dean Martin. Dino handles complicated tempo changes very well; and although it sounds effortless it really wasn't. Dean had remarkable talent to be able to sing this well! The musical arrangement is very well done, too. There's also "Sway (Quien Sera)." "Sway (Quien Sera)" has that charming Latin beat from the late `50s/early `60s that I still love oh, so much! The strings work well and Dean sings this with great sensitivity. "Sway (Quien Sera)" is a major highlight of this album. "The Man Who Plays The Mandolino" has a very pretty melody and Dean sings this ballad with lots of feeling; and it all works very well. The mandolin playing is great and the percussion is very good, too.
"Memories Are Made Of This" was another staple of Dean's repertoire; and just one listen will tell you why! "Memories Are Made Of This" also features a fine backup chorus to support Dino; but they didn't really have to do that. Dean Martin could easily have carried this song all on his own; but at the time they loved to throw in background vocalists and I suppose Dean may not have had full control over that style. "Standing On The Corner" is definitely a sweet tune that will appeal to many guys who love to look at the ladies as they walk by; Dean handles this with finesse and he was born to sing songs like this. I simply can't imagine any other artist doing this tune better than Dino could.
"That's What I Like" has a sweet melody and Dean swings gently to make this number a very special tune. "That's What I Like" explores the feelings of a man who is in love with his woman; and that's terrific. "Just In Time" is another classic tune that was very popular at the time this was recorded; and Dino's treatment of "Just In Time" is nothing short of flawless! Great! In addition, there's also "We Never Talk Much" with Doris Day; and the CD ends strong with Dean Martin performing "Ev'ry Street's A Boulevard In Old New York." "Ev'ry Street's A Boulevard In Old New York" is a duet that Dean Martin does with Jerry Lewis and it actually makes a good ending for this album!
Dean Martin could do just about anything he wanted to do--sing, act, or whatever. This album ably proves that Dean's singing talents were way above average! This is a must-have for Dan Martin fans and newcomers to Dean Martin will enjoy this album, too.
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Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
