Includes a bonus disc.
Personnel: Dean Martin (vocals).
Liner Note Authors: Deana Martin; Gail Martin Downey; Steven Van Zandt.
Recording information: 1949 - 1969.
Nearly a decade after Dean Martin's death, the crooner's fans were finally given the definitive Dino collection. While there was already a two-disc summation of Martin's Capitol recordings, as well as several compilations of his Reprise material, the single-disc, 30-track DINO: THE ESSENTIAL DEAN MARTIN contains a generous selection of the best of his work, culling from both labels' vaults. Steubenville, Ohio's favorite son became a singing star in the 1950s, mostly by virtue of his smooth, easy charm, apparent both in his vocal style and his public image. That charm is crystallized here--the South American lilt of "Sway;" the spare, countryish "Memories Are Made of This" (not insignificantly covered later by Johnny Cash); the laissez-faire swing of "Ain't That a Kick in the Head"--it all bespeaks an uncommon coolness that was Martin's to burn. DINO: THE ESSENTIAL DEAN MARTIN catches all of his best-known tunes, from the aforementioned gems to the perennial Reprise-era sing-along "Everybody Loves Somebody," but it fills in the spaces between with lots of equally lovable tracks, or did you think Glen Campbell had the patent on "Gentle on My Mind?"