Featured here are the Holiday cuts from the Capitol album ˝A Winter Romance˝, selections from ˝The Dean Martin Christmas Album˝ on Reprise Records, plus a somewhat rare selection from a Capitol single. Beside the now Dino-trademark Capitol recordings of ˝Winter Wonderland˝ and ˝Let It Snow!˝, you will learn how these tracks sounded, when Dino re-recorded them nearly a decade later. Of course, a compilation of this kind fully qualifies for five stars, but there are still a few things, that could have been better: First of all, Capitol recently finds it unnecessary to include liner notes for the Rat Pack releases. It would also be sufficient, if recording details (arranger, conductor, date) had been included instead of endless credits to the DM foundation. Last but not least, there would have been enough playing time for additional selections.
But here’s the real thing, why you should get this one: With the hundreds of official and less official compilations around, you won’t find a better-sounding source for the material provided here.
So add this to Nat’s ˝Christmas Song˝, Frank’s ˝Jolly Christmas˝ and the Rat Pack CD and have a merry Christmas!