King Of Cool - Dean Martin

Advantages: 30 classic hits on one budget priced album nicely made
Disadvantages: Not remastered but not that bad really it as sounds fine

...Dino Paul Crocetti, or Dean Martin as we all know him, member of the original Rat Pack, was one of the greatest performers of his time. I purchased this CD in Virgin some time ago now, so I don't know what the going rate online for this album currently is. There are many places you can look for cheap CDs but it isn't my job to list websites, but to review this compilation CD. First of all, I'm not sure how many young people Dean would appeal to. I think the younger generation ought to be introduced to him and this album is the perfect introduction. It has all his number one hits, some obscure songs and my personal favourite, Volare. Sadly, this compilation is not remastered in any way, but in some ways it adds to the closeness you feel while listening to the album. You feel he is in the same room with you. I think this album... Read review

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Advantages: More mighty magnificence minus Martin
Disadvantages: Not quite as good as 'Angel Dust'

...to a tour. So in came Dean Menta for the publicity photos and tour as guitarist. The band had altered their images too, looking more mature, with cropped hair (apart from Bordin of course!) and less garish attire (apart from Roddy!). Patton had apparently calmed down, and surprised everyone by getting married, then dismissing the notion of marriage as an institution. Roddy was the major problem here, distant and unavailable for most of the album because of heroin addiction and personal problems. If the album misses anything a lot, it is his chirpy keyboards, although he displays his guitar skills in the video for 'Digging the Grave'! 'King for a Day' was a lot more aggressive and tense than it's predecessor, but also surprised and delighted with it's huge range of new genres being straddled. 1. 'Get out' The album starts off... Read review

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Advantages: 104 quality songs, informative and well written booklet
Disadvantages: None unless you don't like 40's-style jazz

...Cool Cole - The King Cole Trio Story is a marvellous collection of 4 CDs covering the rise of the legendary Nat King Cole's band. Presented in a stylish and compact case, it comes with a booklet describing Cole's life and just why he is such a music legend. The booklet contains first an overview, detailing via a series of anecdotes how he fell in love with music, and how he became such an accomplished singer and musician. Apparently he banged out a two-handed version of "Yes, We Have No Bananas" on the family keyboard… at the age of 4! This introductory section takes us up to December 1940, when the King Cole Trio was formed, and then each of the 4 discs is discussed in some length with regards to the inspiration for the songs, the styles, and the influences on the Trio's musical style. All in all the booklet is 48 pages long, mainly... Read review

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