Dean Martin - Making Spirits Bright

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• 1998 Capitol Records

Free Music Notes for Making Spirits Bright

Free Music Review: Long Overdue Cheer on Martin's "Making Spirits Bright."
Hit: 5 Stars

But the 15 performances on "Making Spirits Bright," recorded over 15 years for Capitol and Reprise Records, show Dean's casual mastery of holiday songs to be as warm, witty, and cozy as his pop recordings. By the mid-1960s, he and producers Jimmy Bowen and Bill ("Raunchy") Justis had their easy listening/country sound down cold, and the familiar "Jingle Bills," "Winter Wonderland," and the splendid "Marshmallow World" swing with delightful string arrangements, punchy rhythm and even a few tossed-off Martin one-liners.

The 1950s Capitol recordings, produced by Lee Gillette (Cole's "The Christmas Song") are more dramatic and precise, but Martin still pulls the sleigh on a swinging "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm," "Let It Snow" (his Reprise version is also included) and the ballad "Winter Romance." Hearing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" recalls the mock duets Dean did with the Golddiggers and Ding-A-Ling Sisters on his classic 60s variety show.

If you wonder whether Dean took these projects seiously amid the TV shows, films, and concerts he seemed to so effortlessly master, listen to his touching, studied "Silent Night." It is as reverent a rendition as has been produced; only Martin's hit "Return To Me" is as heartfelt. It is a touching piece of this collection which, despite slipshod packaging (no holiday photos or session dates) finally gives Martin deserved space beside Cole, Como, and Crosby on holiday music shelves. Highly recommended, but also check out his "Greatest Hits" collection (again combining Capitol and Reprise recordings) and his "Dino" album of Italian songs.

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