Dino -- Like Never Before was the last of four albums Capitol Records released (though its Tower Records subsidiary) of rare singles and unreleased takes that
Dean Martin recorded before jumping ship to sign with Reprise Records in 1961. Waxed between 1950 and 1954, most of the ten numbers on
Dino -- Like Never Before are classic early period
Martin, with a touch of his
Bing Crosby influence evident around the edges and polished arrangements giving the songs the right accompaniment. While the sappy "Second Chance" and "One More Time" never quite get off the ground,
Dino's lively reading of "I Ran All the Way Home" starts things off on solid ground, "There's My Lover" and "'Til I Find You" work despite overactive alto saxophone work by arranger Dick Stabile, and the easygoing "That's What I Like" was made for
Martin's wink-and-a-smile delivery.
Martin was still working with then-partner
Jerry Lewis at the time these sides were recorded (many of which were cut for use in their movies), and his style would mature and mellow with the passage of time, but he's still in fine form on
Dino -- Like Never Before, and this is a solid and enjoyable collection highlighting the early stages of his years in the spotlight. ~ Mark Deming