The Essential Dean Martin (2 Cd's) - Dean Martin

Liner Note Author: James Ritz. Arrangers: Don Costa; Ernie Freeman; Gus Levene; Chuck Sagle; Jimmie Haskell; Marty Paich; Neal Hefti; Bill Justis; Billy Strange. Though he was regarded as one of the best singers of his generation, Dean Martin initially rose to fame as part of a comedy act. In 1946, Martin teamed up with funnyman Jerry Lewis, and the two were soon a sensation, headlining at nightclubs and starring in movies and TV shows built around the duo's anarchic humor. Many people believed Martin was just the straight man who belted out a tune occasionally until he landed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1953 and launched a series of hits that showed off his rich, supple baritone and his strong but playful, devil-may-care phrasing. Martin's popularity as a vocalist only grew after he and Lewis split up the act in 1956, and despite the rise of rock & roll, Martin's grown-up pop music retained its audience; Martin's signature hit, "Everybody Loves Somebody," even n