Search - Dean Martin :: Very Best of

Most tracks now available on Essential

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 02/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since I originally wrote this review, a new compilation (Essential) has been released, containing all but two of the tracks here.



Dean Martin had two separate hit-making periods - in the fifties with Capitol and in the sixties with Reprise. The early sixties were not successful in the charts, although Dean continued to record albums and was also kept busy in other ways. You would normally have to buy one album to get his Capitol music and another to get his Reprise music. This collection spans both periods, although there is also a second volume, so you may end up buying two CD's anyway.



This collection contains most of the songs that are associated with Dean, including Memories are made of this, That's amore, Volare, You're nobody till somebody loves you, In the chapel in the moonlight, Houston and Everybody loves somebody. Dean's first solo hit, Powder your face with sunshine, is also included. It was no match for Evelyn Knight's version, which was number one for many weeks, but it was a start. Evelyn was at the peak of her career while Dean was just beginning.



Dean is often compared to Frank Sinatra, but their music was quite different. I enjoy both of them in different ways. While Frank's music was rooted in the big band sound of the late thirties, Dean's was altogether more relaxed - Dean was the classic crooner. In the sixties, his music took on a country flavor. It was never country enough for him to establish credibility amongst diehard country music fans, but for those who enjoy both pop and country music, Dean's sixties music is particularly appealing. Dean does not twang, so a lot of people who don't like country music can still enjoy his music.



Prior to the release of Essential, this was the strongest collection of Dean's music that had been released. If you intend to buy volume two, you may still prefer this to Essential, otherwise I now recommend you buy Essential (which has 30 tracks) instead."

The Best Recordings By The Best Male Singer Of All Time

Shane | New Zealand | 05/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From start to finnish, all the tracks on this collection are classics. As another reviewer said, Dean always seemed to live in Franks shadow, and not justly so - Dean is, at the end of the day, much better, and his hit material is of a much higher standard. This CD is a true must for anyone. Great songs, great musicians and arrangers, and the greatest male singer of all time!Also check out Volume Two, the hits continue."