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Dean Martin Love Songs--unforgettable ballads, even if they

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 02/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Love Songs is a new Dean Martin CD that features re-releases of great love songs sung by Dean Martin, one of the best crooners we ever saw in the entire twentieth century. Dean's voice is like listening to pure silk; and even after all these years I could never tire of listening to his albums. The trouble with this particular CD, unfortunately, is that these songs are re-releases of songs that are already on several other Dean Martin CDs; and it makes me suspect that a recording company merely wanted to "cash in" on Valentine's Day sentiment. However, to be fair, there may be people just discovering Dean Martin and for them this will be a better CD as he does sing beautifully on these numbers. In addition, the sound quality is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.



"You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)" features Dean Martin squarely in the spotlight--right where he always belonged! The lush musical arrangement enhances the natural beauty of this number and that's excellent. I first heard this number sung by Judy Garland in a movie called Broadway Melody Of 1938; and Judy would certainly be proud of Dean's rendition! "For Once In My Life" has a more modern, late `60s or `70s beat to it and the percussion works so well for the music that goes with Dean's singing. "For Once In My Life" gets the royal treatment from Dean who sings this flawlessly. "Somewhere There's A Someone" is a wonderful tune; and "Besame Mucho" gets a lovely Latin treatment. The music for "Besame Mucho" is sublime and Dean never misses a note! Dean Martin's incredible timing makes "Besame Mucho" a major highlight of this album.



"The Glory Of Love" is a very sweet number that I like very much; the backup singers harmonize quite well as Dean makes this number sound better than ever. "I Will" is another classic ballad that Dean Martin delivers to perfection; and I really enjoy hearing "Release Me." "Release Me" has a marvelous melody and Dean handles the lyrics to make "Release Me" sound fresh and new.



"I'll Be Seeing You" is a highly sentimental and romantic ballad; and "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" shines like silver and gold when Dean Martin croons this as only he could. The CD ends with one of my very favorite tunes--when Dean Martin sings it, that is--entitled "Everybody Loves Somebody." "Everybody Loves Somebody" has incredible momentum and this is a very strong choice for the final number on this album.



Now please make no mistake about it--these songs prove that Dean Martin possessed an exceptional talent to perform and he could sing so well the birds would be charmed right out of the trees! Performers like Dean Martin rarely come along; Dean was THAT good. The tracks on this album give us the outstanding artistry of Dean Martin. Unfortunately, these love songs are on several other Dean Martin CDs so for his "true blue" fans this CD doesn't really offer any new material--and that's a negative. This CD is best for people just discovering Dean Martin and maybe also it will be good for very casual fans who want just a sampling of his greatest love songs.



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Dean Martin: Love Songs

Thomas Thomsen | Denmark | 02/03/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Two brand-new compilations of Dean Martin's love songs have just been released. One is titled Amore (see my review), and the other is this one - Love Songs. So which one do I recommend? Well, to be honest, probably neither. Certainly not if you're new to Dean Martin or just looking for a great single disc overview of Dean's best songs. Then you should most definitely go with The Essential Dean Martin, which doubles the amount of songs found on either one of these two love song collections, AND it includes several fan favorites that should NOT have been excluded here (In The Misty Moonlight, Kiss, In The Chapel In The Moonlight). Too bad The Essential Dean Martin only came in a cheap-looking jewel case (plastic) and wasn't released as a deluxe digipack (cardboard sleeve). Unfortunately, Dean Martin's legacy just doesn't get the same respectful treatment that Frank Sinatra's does.



If, however, you already own The Essential Dean Martin and wish to purchase either Amore or Love Songs, I would choose Amore despite the fact that Love Songs includes a couple (2!) of the most glaring omissions on Amore: I Will and Somewhere There's A Someone, as well as a rather interesting choice, a song called You Made Me Love You (I Did Not Want To Do It) from 1973's Stittin' On Top Of The World.



Overall, Amore is a classier affair than Love Songs with better song selections, and it's available in attractive, eco-friendly packaging (cardboard sleeve).



If, however, you can afford buying both of these new compilations (I have!), then I hope you will. Let's support Dean Martin's legacy, and then - hopefully - we will get some first class double discs or - even better - 4 disc box sets with beautiful packaging in the future.

"

A Short But Interesting Collection Of Love Songs

George M. Zavaglia | Brockport, NY | 02/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dean Martin "Love Songs" is another repackaging of the singer's material released in time to serve as mood music for yet another Valentine's Day.



What sets this one apart from other current Martin love song collections is that it's comprised entirely of material he recorded on the Reprise label. For some, that alone may be reason to buy it. These recordings have not typically shown up in any great quantity on other Martin CD's released within the last few years.



This time the program is made up of hits like "Everybody Loves Somebody", "I Will", and "Somewhere There's A Someone" along with his take on standards like "You Made Me Love You".



The disc is short with only 14 tracks. (That's even 1 shorter than "Amore" the other Dino love song collection on the Capitol label.) However, "Love Songs" keeps things interesting by featuring Martin with orchestral accompaniment that varies sufficiently from track to track.



The hits have a particular sound; lots of brass, a heavier beat than earlier Martin recordings and sometimes intrusive background vocals. Some listeners love the sound, others not so much. I tend to think they are best described as being commercially successful sounds of their time.



Fortunately, if you're looking for timeless stuff it's here too. The arrangement of "You Made Me Love You" has an easy loping quality to it which pairs perfectly with Martin's casual sound. The version of "I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face" heard here also has that easy appeal. I like it much better than the version arranged by the venerable Nelson Riddle that seems to show up all too often on other Martin compilations.



However, if you want to know how great a singer Dino really was, listen to "I'm Confessing That I Love You" and "I Don't Why (I Just Do). These songs were recorded with a group of only four accompanists allowing Martin's voice to take center stage. His voice is rich, deep, and intimate making these two selections perfect romantic inclusions.



There's nothing you haven't heard before in "Love Songs". Still this short but sweet blend of songs has its moments. If you find yourself wanting more, you might consider also buying "Amore" which actually serves as a nice companion CD to "Love Songs". Dino sounds great throughout both of them!

"