Dean Martin "Spotlight On"
Capitol 8293892. (50 mins)
Dial a track code 1971
Dean Martin "Songs"
Movie Star Collection. Deja Vu DVGH 7092. (67 mins)
It has already been reported that when Frank Sinatra held his Christmas Eve party this year, for old friends such as Milton Berle, he didn't invite Dean Martin. They, apparently, had a falling out eight years ago and even though Martin recently sent a message to his old `rat pack' buddy, saying there wasn't much time to make amends, Sinatra's response was "I'll think about it. Now, it obviously is too late. On the night of the party Dean Martin stayed alone in his apartment, went to bed near 2 a.m., and died at dawn. Let's hope his musical legacy is not forgotten 59 quickly.
Not that these are the collections by which he should be remembered. Indeed, Martin's back catalogue is so badly represented that most stores only stock compilations of his greatest hits. But these, at least, are different, containing mostly classic cuts from his late 1950s Capitol albums such as
Steep Warm, which was arranged and conducted to a note perfect degree by Sinatra and features deliciously soothing versions of Dream, Wrap Your Trouble In Dreams and a strangely aching, but sublime, reading of Goodnight Sweetheart. Even more seductive is June In January from the album A Winter's Romance.
Best among the upbeat cuts is the original version of You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You, arranged by Nelson Riddle, for the This Time I'm Swingin' album, a real fave with Dean Martin aficionados. The Movie Star collection, on the other hand, could only be recommended to completeists, as it takes its song fragments plus dialogue directly from four of Martin's movies of the mid 1950s. Fun, but far from required listening, particularly in light of the fact that it also features that tedious little nerd, Jerry Lewis. Dino deserves better than this. So do the countless millions who loved his songs. And will continue to live through his songs even though the singer himself now is dead. The melody lingers on, indeed.
Bobby Darin. The Bobby Darin Collection. R2 72206 4CDs (approx 4 hours). Import. Available in Tower Records.
Dial a track code 2081
Another of those Italian crooners who, like Dino, is currently being rediscovered by a new generation who use middle of the road "lounge music" to chill out in dance clubs. Sadly, Darin is also another singer whose overall contribution to pop music has been forgotten, or reduced to occasional golden oldie plays of Dream Lover, Things and Mack The Knife. This long overdue Rhino box set should rectify matters.
Not that it's perfect. I, personally, would have preferred more tracks from his self penned, produced and arranged late 1960s albums Born Walden Robert Cassatto and Commitment, from which this set culls only four tracks, including his immensely moving response to the murder of Robert Kennedy, In Memorium plus Song For A Dollar, which should be required listening for every songwriter in the world. Maybe even every writer, tempted by the lure of cash.
All gripes aside, a great collection and a fitting memorial to a performer who, at 36, died far too young to realise his full potential.
Fred Astaire "Songs"
Movie Star Collection. DVGH 702 2. (58 mins)
Dial a track code 2191
Again, part of the direct from movie soundtrack series, but this set works a treat because it's Fred Astaire, whose magic only came to fruition in the movies. As a dancer, obviously, but also as a singer. Indeed, in the sleeve notes of this collection, Irving Berlin speaks for many songwriters of the 1930s and 1940s when he says, "He's as good as Jolson or Crosby or Sinatra. You gave Astaire a song, he sang it the way you wrote it.
Evidence of Astaire's masterful talent, along these lines, is evident here in definitive readings of Berlin songs like Isn't This A Lovely Day Top Tie And Tails and Cheek To Cheek. Need I say more? You mean you want Gershwin too? You got it, through the fabulous Fascinating Rhythm. They Can't Take That Away From Me and Let's Call the Whole Thing Off. Now that's what I call entertainment. And art.
