Late At Night With Dean Martin Review

07/13/2005 7:32 AM, AMG


Capitol released Late at Night With Dean Martin along with another generous 15-track compilation, Hurtin' Country Songs. Where its companion benefited from a specific theme, Late at Night doesn't have a clear-cut concept, it just finds Martin at his suave, swinging best. What makes the compilation work is that it draws from both his Capitol and Reprise recordings, and the compilers are clever enough to balance hits like "Everybody Loves Somebody" with lesser-known singles, album tracks, and standards. The end result may not be an essential Martin compilation, but it doesn't attempt to be -- it's simply a really good listen, better than many CD compilations of Martin's material because it doesn't follow a predictable route. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide