More than That's Amore....some pleasant melodies.

Dean Martin was definitely a personality of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. A member of the rat pack, that bygone era when it was hip to be politically incorrect…to smoke, drink, swear, tell very off color jokes and be praised for it! It’s an era that in some ways is good to be gone. However, the music from this time when rock and roll was stretching its wings has a pleasant nostalgia.

Dean wasn’t a very talented singer…his range was limited, he had a sloppy, boozy style that nonetheless was pleasant and ingratiated himself to the listener…much like his television show. My dad was a fan of his…we knew he’d be happy with his birthday gift when we got him a Dean Martin album!

This album covers the Capitol years (Everybody loves somebody is from the Reprise label). This is from the 50’s to the early 60’s. There are 40 songs in this 2 CD set. Liner notes are extensive…wish some publisher would use something larger than a 6 point type for us middle aged people who still read!

Not every song in this collection was a hit, but this album is nonetheless very pleasant to listen to. That’s Amore was one of his biggest hits and it is a wonderful song…many people think of the film Moonstruck when they hear the song. There are a lot of other very good songs in this cd. In Napoli has a bit of the melody of That’s Amore but is nonetheless pleasant. Carolina in the Morning, Volare, Ain’t that a kick in the head, Just in Time (from the movie Bells are Ringing which he starred in with Judy Holliday…a long lost musical which is a delight!). Other worthwhile performances in this collection include All I Do is Dream of You, You Belong to Me, The Peanut Vendor, and Solitaire.

Orchestrations and musical arrangements are lush and work as a complement to his voice. If you’re a fan of the rat pack…this CD is a wonderful collection to have of Dean’s music.

As there are so many songs in this double CD set, I cannot go over all of them. A list of the music is included at the end of this review. As Dean recorded for the Reprise label in the latter part of his career (those were his actual rat-pack years), don’t think this is a complete review of his musical career. Some readers may be put off by some of the few comments in the beginning of this review…I stand by them. I am not saying he is a bad singer by any part…he does have a limited range but he uses his charm and personality to pull it off.

The first CD is good. However, personally, I prefer the second CD. Disk one shows the beginning of his musical career.

Those of you under 40 won’t remember when many of these songs came out as you weren’t born yet! His first hit was Memories are made of this. You Was is one of the many duets that Dino had, this was with Peggy Lee. (this is the only duet in the CD.) Personally, I prefer hearing Dino performing solos. You Belong to Me was done by a number of singers in the 50’s. His version is very pleasant. That’s Amore was his breakthrough hit…hitting number 2. It was recorded for a film he did with Jerry Lewis, The Caddy. (side note, these movies by these performers were the Dumb and Dumber of its generation).

The second disk has a few more recognizable hits. There are also a number of songs with an Italian flair. These include In Napoli, Sweetheart, On an Evening in Roma, Non Dimenticar, and Volare. He did not originate Volare but he does a good performance on it. Nearly every performer in the 50’s did a cover of this melody….Dean Martin charted the highest at number 12 with this rendition.

There are also a number of ballads in this CD which are dreamily presented including All I do is Dream of You, My Guiding Star. The CD closes with songs from the very early 60’s including the aforementioned Ain’t That a Kick in the Head, Just in Time, and Somebody Loves You. The performances are livelier with more intense orchestrations which will lift the spirits.

Below is a summary of the CD. The liner notes are excellent. They are well written with details about each and every song in the CD. In addition, it has composer, date recorded, and how high each one charted. In this collection of 40 songs, 7 were in the top 20. Many of the recordings were never released until this CD came out in 1996. Happy listening and happy reading!

Disc 1
1. Memories Are Made of This
2. Powder Your Face With Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!)
3. You Was – sung with Peggy Lee
4. Dreamy Old New England Moon
5. I'm Gonna Paper All My Walls With Your Love Letters
6. I'll Always Love You (Day After Day)
7. Solitaire
8. Night Train to Memphis
9. Pretty as a Picture
10. Oh Marie
11. You Belong to Me
12. Susan
13. Peanut Vendor
14. I'm Yours
15. That's Amore
16. I'd Cry Like a Baby
17. Hey Brother, Pour the Wine
18. Every Street's a Boulevard (In Old New York) - Jerry Lewis
19. I'll Gladly Make the Same Mistake Again
20. Open up the Doghouse (Two Cats Are Coming In)
Disc: 2
1. Carolina in the Morning
2. In Napoli
3. Innamorata (Sweetheart)
4. I'm Gonna Steal You Away [With the Nuggets]
5. Only Trust Your Heart
6. Beau James
7. Good Mornin' Life
8. Return to Me (Ritorna-Me)
9. It's 1200 Miles from Palm Springs to Texas
10. Volare
11. On an Evening in Roma (Sott'er Celo de Roma)
12. All I Do Is Dream of You
13. Medley: You Made Me Love You/It Had to Be You/I'm in Love With [Live performance]
14. My Guiding Star
15. Until the Real Thing Comes Along
16. Ain't That a Kick in the Head
17. Just in Time
18. Be an Angel
19. Non Dimenticar
20. Somebody Loves You