The Rat Pack, Part One

Artist: Dean Martin

Song: Promise Her Anything (a-side) (b-side is The Triche Trache)
Label: Capitol F3787 (White Label Promotional Record)
Number: 45-17074

Songwriter: Roy Alfred
Time: 2:54
Released: August 29th, 1957

I just received the belt I ordered through the mail, so in honor of getting my turntable back into operation, I have not one special Rat Pack-related post, but two! This is the first one and what needs to be said about the artist that most people don't already know? Of course I'm speaking about Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti on June 17th, 1917. Dean's career was so big that he was the only star to be a major hit in all four major areas of show business: concert stage, recordings, motion pictures, and television.
This particular song, Promise Her Anything, with the subtitle of (But Give Her Love), features an orchestra conducted by Gus Levene. The record itself is stamped August 29 1957, so I know that's when it was released. When it came out, it was at the period when his career was seeing a sudden resurgence. He had split with his longtime partner Jerry Lewis and started concentrating more on his recording and acting. What a powerful combination that came to be when he appeared in the series of movies based on the Matt Helm spy character. Those are some of my favorites of his. But enough of this preliminary stuff, let's get on to the actual record which features the oh-so-smooth crooning of Dean Martin as he sings Promise Her Anything. I'm sure you're going to enjoy this one and it's companion piece coming next from Sammy Davis Jr.