A Winter Romance

Last updated
A Winter Romance
Dean Martin - A Winter Romance.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 16, 1959
RecordedJuly 29 – August 6, 1959
Studio Capitol (Hollywood)
Genre Christmas
Length33:34
Label Capitol
Producer Lee Gillette
Dean Martin chronology
Sleep Warm
(with an orchestra conducted by Frank Sinatra)

(1959)
A Winter Romance
(1959)
This Time I'm Swingin'!
(1960)
Singles from A Winter Romance

A Winter Romance is a 1959 long playing album by Dean Martin, accompanied by an orchestra arranged and conducted by Gus Levene. While not exclusively a Christmas album, it features several songs associated with Christmas as part of its larger winter theme. It was Martin's only Christmas themed album for Capitol Records. Martin later recorded The Dean Martin Christmas Album for Reprise Records in 1966.

Contents

The original artwork featured a picture of Martin embracing a fetching young woman. At the same time, he is throwing a passing flirt at a second, attractive woman.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg link

The initial Billboard magazine review from November 30, 1959, chose the album as one of its "Spotlight Winners of the Week" and commented that "The tunes are all one the winter kick ... Martin sings them with his usual ease and nonchalance ... A potent waxing for the holiday season". [1]

Track listing

Original LP

Capitol (S) [2] T-1285

Side A

TrackSong TitleWritten ByRecording DateSession InformationTime
1."A Winter Romance" Sammy Cahn and Ken Lane August 4, 1959Session 7875S; Master 32161; Take 102:57
2."Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" Jule Styne and Sammy CahnAugust 6, 1959Session 7882; Master 32194; Take 151:55
3."The Things We Did Last Summer"Jule Styne and Sammy CahnJuly 29, 1959Session 7851; Master 32147; Take 83:37
4."I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" Irving Berlin August 4, 1959Session 7875S; Master 32164; Take 82:43
5."June in January" Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger August 4, 1959Session 7875S; Master 32162; Take 62:46
6."Canadian Sunset" Eddie Heywood and Norman Gimbel July 29, 1959Session 7851; Master 32150; Take 43:18

Side B

TrackSong TitleWritten ByRecording DateSession InformationTime
1."Winter Wonderland" Felix Bernard and Dick Smith July 29, 1959Session 7851; Master 32148; Take 71:51
2."Out in the Cold Again" Rube Bloom and Ted Koehler August 6, 1959Session 7882; Master 32191; Take 123:34
3."Baby, It's Cold Outside" Frank Loesser August 6, 1959Session 7882; Master 32192; Take 152:23
4."Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" Johnny Marks August 6, 1959Session 7882; Master 32193; Take 42:15
5."White Christmas"BerlinJuly 29, 1959Session 7851; Master 32149; Take 72:28
6."It Won't Cool Off"Cahn and LaneAugust 4, 1959Session 7875S; Master 32163; Take 72:27

Reissues

The LP was reissued in 1965 as Holiday Cheer (Capitol STT-2343) as well as on the cassette tape, with different cover art and the song "A Winter Romance" omitted. This version charted for 11 weeks peaking at #12 on Billboard's Best Bets For Christmas album chart December 14, 1968. [3]

The 1989 Capitol CD reissue added a thirteenth bonus track following to the original album.

TrackSong TitleWritten ByRecording DateSession InformationTime
1."The Christmas Blues" David Holt and CahnOctober 5, 1953Session 3176; Master 11943–8; Take 82:54

The 2005 Collectors' Choice Music CD reissue added four (non-Christmas) bonus tracks to the original album.

TrackSong TitleWritten ByRecording DateSession InformationTime
1."Meanderin"Cy Coben and Charles Randolph Grean, George Botsford September 15, 1951Session 2309; Master 9022–72:58
2."Sogni d'Oro" Marilyn Keith, Lew Spence and Alan Bergman May 13, 1959Session 7751; Master 31662–142:35
3."Go Go Go Go" Jerry Livingston and Mack David June 20, 1951Session 2092; Master 7256–72:22
4."Buttercup of Golden Hair"Mitchell TableporterMay 15, 1959Session 7757; Master 31694–32:18

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for A Winter Romance
Chart (2018–2025)Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [4] 11
Danish Albums (Hitlisten) [5] 8
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [6] 5
Estonian Albums (Eesti Tipp-40) [7] 22
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [8] 13
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [9] 4
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) [10] 7
Icelandic Albums (Tónlistinn) [11] 18
Irish Albums (OCC) [12] 31
Italian Albums (FIMI) [13] 27
Latvian Albums (LAIPA) [14] 8
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) [15] 3
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [16] 10
Polish Albums (ZPAV) [17] 40
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [18] 9
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [19] 17
US Billboard 200 [20] 61

Certifications

Certifications for A Winter Romance
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [21] Gold10,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [22] Silver60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

  1. "Article". Billboard. 30 November 1959. p.  28. ISSN   0006-2510.
  2. The optional 'S' indicates a stereo recording
  3. "Billboard Best Bets For Christmas." Billboard, vol. 80, no. 50, December 14, 1968, p. 84. worldradiohistory.com.
  4. "Austriancharts.at – Dean Martin – A Winter Romance" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  5. "Album Top-40 Uge 1, 2024". Hitlisten . Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  6. "Dutchcharts.nl – Dean Martin – A Winter Romance" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  7. "EESTI TIPP-40 MUUSIKAS". Eesti Ekspress. December 10, 2019. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  8. "Dean Martin: A Winter Romance" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  9. "Offiziellecharts.de – Dean Martin – A Winter Romance" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  10. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2024. 52. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  11. "Tónlistinn – Plötur – Vika 52 – 2023" [The Music – Albums – Week 52 – 2023] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  12. "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  13. "Album – Classifica settimanale WK 52 (dal 22.12.2023 al 28.12.2023)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  14. "Mūzikas patēriņa tops gadu mijā" (in Latvian). LAIPA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  15. "2022 52-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  16. "Album 2024 uke 52". VG-lista . Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  17. "OLiS - oficjalna lista sprzedaży - albumy" (in Polish). OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Note: Change the date to 22.12.2023–28.12.2023 under "zmień zakres od–do:". Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  18. "Swedishcharts.com – Dean Martin – A Winter Romance". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  19. "Swisscharts.com – Dean Martin – A Winter Romance". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  20. "Billboard 200 (January 5, 2020)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  21. "Danish album certifications – Dean Martin – A Winter Romance". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  22. "British album certifications – Dean Martin – A Winter Romance". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 27 November 2022.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Will to Live</i> 1997 studio album by Ben Harper

The Will to Live is a 1997 album by Ben Harper which showed his continuing folk-centric focus, while at the same time expanding on his rock talents. This was his third album, his second with the Innocent Criminals (uncredited), and was packaged with a special bonus CD in certain countries.

<i>The Soul Sessions</i> 2003 studio album by Joss Stone

The Soul Sessions is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Joss Stone, released on 16 September 2003 by S-Curve Records. The album consists of cover versions of soul songs from the 1960s and 1970s, in addition to a cover of the White Stripes' 2001 song "Fell in Love with a Girl". In 2004, The Soul Sessions was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and was nominated for a MOBO Award for Best Album.

<i>Cmon, Cmon</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Sheryl Crow

C'mon, C'mon is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, released on April 8, 2002, in the United Kingdom and April 16, 2002 in the United States. Lead single "Soak Up the Sun" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of her biggest hits since "All I Wanna Do". The album was arguably her most pop-influenced to date, a big departure from the folk and rock sound on her previous release, The Globe Sessions.

<i>Genius Loves Company</i> 2004 studio album by Ray Charles

Genius Loves Company is the final studio album by rhythm and blues and soul musician Ray Charles, posthumously released August 31, 2004, on Concord Records. Recording sessions for the album took place between June 2003 and March 2004. The album consists of rhythm and blues, soul, country, blues, jazz and pop standards performed by Charles and several guest musicians, such as Natalie Cole, Elton John, James Taylor, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Diana Krall, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt. Genius Loves Company was the last album recorded and completed by Charles before his death in June 2004.

<i>A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra</i> 1957 studio album by Frank Sinatra

A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra is a Christmas album by American singer Frank Sinatra, originally released by Capitol Records in 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winter Wonderland</span> Original song written and composed by Felix Bernard (music) and Richard B. Smith (words)

"Winter Wonderland" is a song written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard Bernhard Smith. Due to its seasonal theme, it is often regarded as a Christmas song in the Northern Hemisphere. Since its original recording by Richard Himber, it has been covered by over 200 different artists. Its lyrics are about a couple's romance during the winter season.

<i>Unforgettable... with Love</i> 1991 studio album by Natalie Cole

Unforgettable … with Love, also known as simply Unforgettable, is the twelfth studio album by American singer Natalie Cole. Released on June 11, 1991, the album includes covers of standards previously performed by her father, Nat King Cole. It was also her debut for Elektra Records, after being given her release from EMI Records.

<i>Elvis Christmas Album</i> 1957 studio album by Elvis Presley

Elvis' Christmas Album is the third studio album and first Christmas album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley on RCA Victor, LOC -1035, a deluxe limited edition, released October 15, 1957, and recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. It has been reissued in numerous different formats since its first release. It spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, and was the first of two Christmas-themed albums Presley would record, the other being Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas, released in 1971. The publication Music Vendor listed Elvis' Christmas Album on their singles charts for two weeks in December 1957 – January 1958, with a peak position of No. 49.

<i>Cha Cha de Amor</i> 1962 studio album by Dean Martin

Cha Cha de Amor is an album consisting of the last tracks recorded by Dean Martin for Capitol Records, released in 1962. After recording these sessions, Martin joined Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records label. This album's songs were recorded between December 18 and December 20 of 1961. Cha Cha de Amor was released on November 5, 1962. The backing orchestra was conducted and arranged by Nelson Riddle. The album consists of twelve songs built upon an "authentic Afro-Cuban rhythm section."

<i>This Time Im Swingin!</i> 1960 studio album by Dean Martin

This Time I'm Swingin'! is an album recorded by Dean Martin for Capitol Records. The sessions yielding this album's songs were recorded in May 1960. While thirteen tracks were recorded during the three sessions, only twelve of them made it onto the album when it was released October 3, 1960. "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" was recorded during those sessions but not released. The backing orchestra was conducted and arranged by Nelson Riddle. The original album consisted of twelve songs, many with prominent brass arrangements.

<i>Sleep Warm</i> 1959 studio album by Dean Martin

Sleep Warm is an album recorded by Dean Martin for Capitol Records in three sessions between October 13, 1958 and October 15, 1958 with arrangements by Pete King and orchestra conducted by Frank Sinatra. Described in the liner notes as a "beguiling set of lullabies for moderns," the selections follow a "bedtime" concept with several of the song titles containing the words "dream" and/or "sleep."

<i>If on a Winters Night...</i> Album by Sting

If on a Winter's Night... is the ninth studio album from British musician Sting. The album is a collection of Christmas and winter-themed songs mostly written by others, including folk songs, madrigals and religious hymns from past centuries. Dozens of musicians appear on the album in various configurations, including jazz, folk and classical players.

<i>The Magic of Christmas</i> (Nat King Cole album) 1960 studio album by Nat King Cole

The Magic of Christmas is a 1960 album by Nat King Cole, arranged and conducted by Ralph Carmichael.

<i>October Road</i> (album) 2002 studio album by James Taylor

October Road is the 15th studio album by singer-songwriter James Taylor, released in 2002. The album would be Taylor's last album of original material until Before This World in 2015. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Performance at the 45th Grammy Awards in 2003. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 with 154,000 copies sold in its opening week, Taylor's best-performing album in the SoundScan era. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA on November 21, 2002, and had sold 1,076,000 copies in the United States as of May 2015.

<i>Gold Dust</i> (Tori Amos album) 2012 studio album by Tori Amos

Gold Dust is the 13th solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released on October 1, 2012 by Deutsche Grammophon and Mercury Classics. The album is produced by Amos with arrangements by long-time collaborator John Philip Shenale. Inspired by and following in a similar vein as Amos's previous effort, the classical music album Night of Hunters (2011), Gold Dust features some of her previously released alternative rock and baroque pop songs re-worked in an orchestral setting. The material for Gold Dust, consisting of songs selected by Amos spanning almost her entire catalogue at the time, from Little Earthquakes (1992) through Midwinter Graces (2009), was recorded with the Metropole Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley.

<i>Glow</i> (Brett Eldredge album) 2016 studio album by Brett Eldredge

Glow is the third studio album by American country musician Brett Eldredge. Released on October 28, 2016, by Atlantic Nashville this is his first Christmas album.

<i>Come Tomorrow</i> (album) Album by Dave Matthews Band

Come Tomorrow is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Dave Matthews Band, and was released on June 8, 2018. The album is their first since 2012's Away from the World.

<i>Special</i> (Lizzo album) 2022 studio album by Lizzo

Special is the fourth studio album by American rapper and singer Lizzo, released by Nice Life and Atlantic Records on July 15, 2022. It was preceded by the lead single "About Damn Time", released on April 14, 2022, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and the top ten in twelve other countries.

<i>Only the Strong Survive</i> (Bruce Springsteen album) 2022 studio album by Bruce Springsteen

Only the Strong Survive is the twenty-first studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen, released on November 11, 2022, through Columbia Records. The album is a cover album of R&B and soul songs, and his second cover album following We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (2006). It was announced on September 29, 2022, along with the release of "Do I Love You ", a cover of the song by Frank Wilson. The singles "Nightshift", "Don't Play That Song" and "Turn Back the Hands of Time" followed throughout October and November 2022. The album title is an eponymous reference to its first track, a cover of the original "Only the Strong Survive" by Jerry Butler. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>Fruitcake</i> (Sabrina Carpenter EP) 2023 EP by Sabrina Carpenter

Fruitcake is the second extended play (EP) and first Christmas themed record by American singer Sabrina Carpenter. It was released by Island Records on November 17, 2023. It was produced by Julian Bunetta and John Ryan.