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Greatest Hits

Artist: Dean Martin
Genre: Pop
Year: 1998
Rating: 10 / 10

The late 1990s witnessed a revival of the hip, ultra-cool music of the late 40's and early 50's. Bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, soundtracks from films like Swingers and L.A. Confidential, and the swing-dance craze all led to a renewed interest in the smooth sounds of this period. Of all the legendary crooners, none was more hip, cooler or smoother than the legendary lounge lizard himself, Dean Martin.

Dino's recently released Greatest Hits is a special treat for his fans because it is the only CD which contains songs Martin recorded with both Capitol and Reprise Records. In the past, fans of the Rat Pack member were forced to settle with greatest hits albums that only represented half of Martin's career.

While I personally tend to be a fan of Martin's early big-band days, the CD also contains some of Martin's later, somewhat corny hits from the 60's. While these songs can be a little bit hokey, particularly those that feature full orchestral and choral arrangements, Martin's coolness nevertheless shines through, and it is nice to finely have a CD which memorializes his entire career.

Martin's silky-smooth voice and laid-back style would be a treat no-matter what he's singing. So pour yourself a martini, fix that special someone in your life a pasta dinner, throw a Matt Helm video in the VCR, and prepare to be transported to a more hip, more sophisticated time with Dean Martin's Greatest Hits.

Submitted 3/22/00 by Cleveland lawyer Brad Sobolewski.

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