Decent No Frills Dino Collection

Despite the growing number of Dean Martin compilations out there, it is apparently impossible to assemble all of Dean's Greatest Hits onto a single CD package. This 3 disc compilation stands as yet another testament to that.



I give this compilation 3 Stars simply because of the number of songs you get (47) for the money ($27).



Contrary to the "Album Details," this CD does NOT contain "all his Greatest Hits." In fact, despite offering 47 songs, its amazing how many of Dean's classics are missing from this package ("Sway," "Powder Your Face with Sunshine," "Houston," "Innamorata," ...). I believe the bulk of the material on this CD is from Dean's early recording period (late Forties/early Fifties).



Also, not sure what "Special De Luxe Packaging," means, as this set was pretty stripped down, if not cheap. There are 3 separate jewel boxes in a slip case. That's it. No liner notes or booklet, photos, nothing.



Still, for those of us tired of purchasing the same songs over and over on the various Dino collections, this is a decent buy. In fact, one of the reasons I got this one was the hard to find "Rio Bravo" track (title song to the John Ford movie of the same name, starring John Wayne and Dino himself) and the Latin Lounge Classic, "Cha Cha Cha D'amour."



This is NOT a good CD to purchase as an introduction to Dean Martin - or as a collection of his best work. Rather, the set functions best as a way for Martin fans to expand their catalogue with a lot of his lesser-known (but still good) songs.