Here are over 50 tracks on two CDs for the serious Martin buff to bask in, from the single that started it all, back in 1952 (That’s Amore), through Sway, Memories Are Made Of This, Volare, etc. For good measure Avid throw in Sleep Warm, the album Martin made with Sinatra conducting the orchestra in arrangements by Pete King, as good an illustration as any of the friendship between the two men, given that the title song started life as a hit Sinatra single.
If I have any reservations, they are about the wisdom of attempting to swing such overt ballads as True Love and I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face, a “delicate” ballad if ever there was one. Also, Dean Martin’s Greatest duplicates tracks from the other albums, but Avid have added several bonus tracks.
This is an album that will surely find its audience among the still thousands-strong Dean Martin fan base.
Discography
CD1: [This Is Dean Martin] (1) Volare; Write To Me From Naples; The Test Of Time; Don’t You Remember; The Look; Return To Me; Buona Sera; I Know I Can’t Forget; Angel Baby; When You’re Smiling; Makin’ Love Ukulele Style; Promise Her Anything; – bonus tracks: Sway; Let Me Go, Lover, Mambo Italiano; [Sleep Warm] (2) Sleep Warm; Hit The Road To Dreamland; Dream; Cuddle Up A Little Closer; Sleepy Time Gal; Goodnight, Sweetheart; All I Do Is Dream Of You; Let’s Put Out The Lights And Go To Sleep; Dream A Little Dream Of Me; Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams; Goodnight, My Love; Brahms’ Lullaby (76.49)
CD2: [This Time I’m Swingin!] (3) – bonus tracks: Innamorata; Standing On The Corner; My Rifle, My Pony, And Me; – I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me; True Love; You’re Nobody Til Somebody Loves You; On The Street Where You Live; Imagination; Until The Real Thing Comes Along; Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone; I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face; Someday; Mean To Me; Heaven Can Wait; Just In Time. [Dean Martin’s Greatest] (4) Return To Me; Angel Baby; Memories Are Made Of This; The Man Who Plays The Mandolino; Write To Me From Naples; Volare; Rio Bravo; I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm; Baby, It’s Cold Outside; The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane; That’s Amore; Goodnight, Sweetheart; – bonus track: Ain’t That A Kick In The Head (75.33)
Martin (v) with (1) Dick Stabile and his Orchestra. (2) Frank Sinatra. (3) Nelson Riddle. (4) Dick Stabile. Capitol Studios, Hollywood, 1952-1959.
Avid Jazz AMSC 1434
