Capitol Compiles 'Essential' Dean Martin

03/04/2004 1:54 PM, Reuters


Capitol Records will release a 30-song Dean Martin retrospective on June 1.

"Dino: The Essential Dean Martin" will comprise hits from his days with both Capitol and Reprise, including "Everybody Loves Somebody," "That's Amore," "Ain't That a Kick in the Head," "Little Old Wine Drinker Me" and "Volare."

The single disc collection will precede the release of a Martin box set, according to a spokesperson. Capitol hopes to have the box out in the fall, but it may not hit shelves until sometime in 2005. This will be the first ever domestic box featuring Martin's music; a retrospective set has been released in Europe by Bear Family Records.

As for "The Essential Dean Martin" disc, the album opens with 1949 hit "Powder Your Face With Sunshine." Martin continued to record for Capitol until 1961, when he left the label to join his buddy, Frank Sinatra , at Reprise. The disc follows his career through 1969's "Gentle on My Mind."

Reuters/Billboard