Dean Martin - The Essential Dean Martin (2014)

Review by Mark Deming
Though he was regarded as one of the best singers of his generation, Dean Martin initially rose to fame as part of a comedy act. In 1946, Martin teamed up with funnyman Jerry Lewis, and the two were soon a sensation, headlining at nightclubs and starring in movies and TV shows built around the duo's anarchic humor. Many people believed Martin was just the straight man who belted out a tune occasionally until he landed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1953 and launched a series of hits that showed off his rich, supple baritone and his strong but playful, devil-may-care phrasing. Martin's popularity as a vocalist only grew after he and Lewis split up the act in 1956, and despite the rise of rock & roll, Martin's grown-up pop music retained its audience; Martin's signature hit, "Everybody Loves Somebody," even nudged the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" off the top of the Billboard Singles Charts in August 1964. The Essential Dean Martin is a two-disc set featuring 40 tracks from Martin's recorded catalog, and includes hits and fan favorites from his years with Capitol (1953-1963) as well as his later tenure with Reprise Records (1963-1978). Those looking for an introduction to Martin's work or an overview of his best-known recordings will find what they're looking for with this set.