There were no limits to Dean Martin's talents...
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pretty Baby is a fine Dean Martin CD with terrific arrangements and this is one album Dean Martin fans will have to include in their collections. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is wonderful--I always like it when they incorporate the original record album artwork into the CD artwork.
"I Can't Give You Anything But Love" features Dean Martin squarely in the spotlight; he swings brightly to make this number shine and it works! The brass is fine and that piano arrangement is magnificent. Dean's voice is rich and full of masculine warmth; it's like listening to pure silk and it proves that Dean Martin was one of the best male vocalists of the entire twentieth century. "Only Forever" has Dean crooning this to perfection--and beyond! The musical arrangement fits in perfectly with Dean's vocals; and the horn solo is really amazing even if it's a bit short in the overall melody. "Sleepy Time Gal" also shines; Dean bats this straight out of the ballpark and this impresses me. "Sleepy Time Gal" explores the feelings of a man who wants to work hard to support his wife and many men can identify with this--even though these days both man and wife have to work so often in order to put that bread on the table! For this reason "Sleepy Time Gal" is also a nostalgic number that fondly reminisces about simpler times.
"I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" gets a different arrangement than I'm used to; but Dean pulls this off beautifully and it sounds great. They used a background chorus--not that Dean needed it; but it was the style at the time. "Pretty Baby," the title track of this album, again showcases Dean Martin's excellent ability to deliver a ballad flawlessly.
"Once In A While" gets the royal treatment from Dean Martin; he delivers this masterfully and I really like "Once In A While." Again, there is a needless chorus in the background; but I forgive them their error because they were human, too, and they certainly didn't think this through very well. Dean Martin should have been handling this tune independently; he needed no help from a chorus. "It's Easy To Remember" is another tender ballad that Dean handles with panache; and he swings ever so gently to make this a major highlight of this album. In addition, "Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)" is another shining number that is a highlight, too, of this album. "Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)" just sounds wonderful--and everything fits perfectly.
"I Know Your Mother Loves You" has a good, swinging arrangement that allows Dean to really open up and perform this number with all his positive energy--it holds its own very well. The album also ends nicely with Dean Martin performing "The Lady With The Big Umbrella." I never heard this song before now but that Latin beat is pleasant to my ears and it makes a strong ending for this album.
Dean Martin fans can rejoice that this is now on CD. People who are just discovering the artistry of Dean Martin could also consider this a starter CD as they get to know Dean Martin and his talents.
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Track Listings (16) - Disc #1