World Record Club (EMI)
SM125-130 (6x 33rpm) 4 January 1970/SM451-454 (4x 33rpm) September 1981
Project ref. IDMC/DNFR1-12(7646)
LP #1
YOU’RE NOBODY ‘TIL SOMEBODY LOVES YOU / I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT YOU’RE IN LOVE WITH ME / CANADIAN SUNSET / IN THE COOL, COOL, COOL OF THE EVENING / MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS / RETURN TO ME / ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE / YOU CAN’T LOVE ‘EM ALL / VOLARE (NEL BLU DIPINTO DI BLU) / ALABAMY BOUND
LP #2
JUST IN TIME / IT TAKES SO LONG (TO SAY GOODBYE) / IMAGINATION / MISSISSIPPI MUD / BASIN STREET BLUES / TRUE LOVE / SLEEPY TIME GAL / LOUISE / IF / WHEN YOU’RE SMILING
LP #3
CUDDLE UP A LITTLE CLOSER / LET ME LOVE YOU TONIGHT / WHO’S SORRY NOW / INNAMORATA / WAY DOWN YONDER IN NEW ORLEANS / HIT THE ROAD TO DREAMLAND / TWO LOVES HAVE I / THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION / IT’S EASY TO REMEMBER / THAT’S ALL I WANT FROM YOU
LP #4
ALL I DO IS DREAM OF YOU / TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS / ALL IN A NIGHT’S WORK / I DON’T KNOW WHY (I JUST DO) / MONEY BURNS A HOLE IN MY POCKET / GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART / LOVE (YOUR MAGIC SPELL IS EVERYWHERE) / I FEEL A SONG COMING ON / HOW DO YOU SPEAK TO AN ANGEL? / I FEEL LIKE A FEATHER IN THE BREEZE
LP #5
A HUNDRED YEARS FROM TODAY / GOODNIGHT MY LOVE / THAT’S AMORE / RAIN / WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY / WRAP YOUR TROUBLES IN DREAMS / I’VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE / HEAR MY HEART / WITH MY EYES WIDE OPEN I’M DREAMING / CAPTURED
LP #6
UNTIL THE REAL THING COMES ALONG / SOMEBODY LOVES YOU / NEVERTHELESS (I’M IN LOVE WITH YOU) / I CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE / YOUNG AND FOOLISH / JUNE IN JANUARY / BRAHMS’ LULLABY / ONCE IN A WHILE / WHEN IT’S SLEEPY TIME DOWN SOUTH / THAT LUCKY OLD SUN
A collaborative mail-order compilation produced by EMI and Bernard; songs selected by the DMA for EMI; songs sequenced and sleeve notes written by Bernard; the 1981 re-issue contained the same 60 tracks but condensed across the 4 LPS and had individual colour sleeves (the original release had simple paper); sleeve notes as follows:
“DEAN MARTIN
He has recorded hundreds and hundreds of songs; made many of them world hits; appeared in over fifty films and starred in all but one or two of them. He appears regularly on television and in cabaret, has a more amazing gift of communication to his ever faithful admirers than anyone else in the whole, wide world and his remarkable anti-depressant voice makes the listener instantly relaxed at hearing that happy vocal sound.
Even for an occasion like this six album set with a beautiful programme of sixty songs, I first thought that I would have to think of a suitable title for this release. What words could one use for a set of songs as great as this? I only needed two words – what better title for a Dean Martin set than DEAN MARTIN! This is the first time that there has been such a superb collection of Dino’s songs and take great pleasure in presenting this set to you. There have been many song collections by various artists, but none, I think, as happy as this one. Dean expresses happiness through all his songs, even when singing of a sad love affair one has the sneaking suspicion he is smiling at it all. But then this is part of Dino’s inner self – a man who radiates charm – puts his heart and soul into everything he does.
Away from the public he is very quiet – extra ordinarily sensitive, he thinks deep and acts on any commitment only after much consideration, never doing anything on impulse, which, after the impression he gives to the world, would lead one to believe that he carelessly roams around not bothering what happens to him or his career. Dean is bored by rehearsals and repetitions and will tell you he hates so-called perfectionists. He is completely and utterly dedicated to enjoying life and letting his public be entertained. He is loyal to himself, his family, his fans and also his business advisers and consultants.
The latter have all worked with Dean for an average of ten years, which is in itself a tribute to his way of life. Dean must be the only singer who has sometimes picked a bad song and made it beautiful – only he can do that. Other singers of repute wouldn’t even dare to take the chance.
But then Dino has taken many a chance in his earlier years in the business, and now reaps the benefits and rewards of experience, after almost thirty years. He made his first recording in 1942 and for several years didn’t really spark the public’s imagination. Many a record was issued but only sold quantities that weren’t what one would call enormous: indeed, this is an understatement – some just fell flat. But Dean has always had a tenacity for survival.
He managed by singing everything that was offered to him, Dixieland, Jazz, Ballads, Italian-oriented songs, comedy – Dean recorded them all in those formative years. Various arrangers worked with Dean, and over the recordings that unmistakable mellow voice came through to the ever-eager record buyer.
Then a song from one of the Martin and Lewis films was chosen by Dean for release. THAT’S AMORE caught everyone’s ear and this Italian ballad gave Dean his first gold record. This made the public sit up and realize that here we had another good singer in our midst, but not just another singer – there was something different about this one. As well as good looks and personality, there was a definite sincerity in Dino’s voice, a sincerity that was genuine and was going to take him to greater things. Or was it?
It seemed that the song was a freak hit, because time went by and nothing seemed to spark off again a big hit for Dean. He had noticeable sales on several records, and then came hit number two – a straight love ballad entitled MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS. From then on Dean was there – his impeccable styling brought more hits and admirers clamoured for them.
Admirers, like myself, who had always collected everything that was released by Dean, even before I was personally asked by him to establish a publicity organisation in London. This was in 1960, when The International Dean Martin Club was born. From then on we were able to keep side by side with Dean’s activities, and his ever-expanding career. Records were the main source of public interest but then Dean was also making film after film with resounding success.
Not every record and film he made was qualified for world acclaim, but then no one artist had the current output that Dino had.
In one period of eighteen months Dean recorded seven albums in succession, each becoming million-sellers – an achievement that no one else in showbusiness has so far equalled. His continued success in films assured him of regular appearances in the cinemas of the world, in which he went from comedy to drama and back again, letting everyone know that he could do both – making a big audience watch again and again his portrayal of a particular role. He had great success with his Matt Helm super-spy films, and even with his recordings and films he still manages to devote time to his weekly television shows – shows which are completely moulded to the Dean Martin styling, with jokes, comedy sketches, famous guest artists – no one yet has overshadowed Dean on his show – and above all his ad-lib interruptions on songs.
He’ll take a beautiful song, sing half a dozen or so of the correct words then break out with a joke or his own lines of the song. Only Dino can do, and successfully get away with, this free and easy patter. From the moment he slides down the fireman’s pole, with cigarette in hand, one can expect a full session of sparkling action from star and guests combined.
That is Dino on television – there are bookings for the audience to watch his show right through ’til 1976. A weekly screening that has the highest rating of any television show anywhere. But in all of the activities of this man who calls himself Dean Martin – there is still time in his very crowded life to play golf – a game he plays as much as he possibly can every minute of his spare time, and will usually take part in tournaments with famous golfing personalities.
You may well ask how Dino finds time for all of these things – and we haven’t even mentioned yet another part of Dean’s career – cabaret!
One of the most delightful experiences is to watch Dino in cabaret.
He sings, wisecracks, dances around and generally gets the entire audience of, perhaps 1300, under his power. He sings his famous songs (not always with the correct words – for example WHEN YOU’RE SMILING is ‘when you’re drinking’ and usually manages to get the audience laughing so much you can’t always hear exactly what he has just said to his long-time accompanist Ken Lane.
This then, is the man of many talents, born Dino Paul Crocetti on June 7th, 1917, the son of an Italian barber Guy and an American mother, Angela.
So many things have been written and said about Dean and, indeed, much has been said here, but then one could go on for a considerable time about such an artist. What else can I say?
Being President of The International Dean Martin Club, I can naturally speak with some confidence on Dean’s talents – to me he has always been a great artist who has given me many happy hours (or should I say years?) of enjoyment via the many sectors of his career. Here on this marvellous set of sixty songs you have the perfect examples of Dean’s vocal artistry.
Let’s listen now to the very special songs them my own personal favourites…
After listening to this mammoth programme of Dino’s songs, you can see now what I mean by versatility – a quality that Dean has and uses to his best advantage. This must surely be one of the finest examples of Dino’s work compiled in one set. Various songs, various moods, but all containing the unique sophisticated charm that is Dean Martin.
To quote Dino’s own words: ‘Look, I sing a song. If it takes, beautiful. If it doesn’t, we try again – why try to make it complicated? I sing the best I can – you can’t put me in jail for that!’
…and that comes from the man himself. So just you think about that when you play these records on your hi-fi system!!
Bernard H. Thorpe, President
The International Dean Martin Club”
THE DEAN MARTIN ASSOCIATION 