Dean Martin: This Time I'm Swinging

Dean Martin released This Time I'm Swinging on Capital records in 1960. It represented his first collaboration with conductor/arranger Nelson Riddle for an album project. As one may expect from such a collaboration, the record is an appealing easy swinging collection of then recent and vintage standards. The record also included Martin's first attempt at "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You", which he would release four years later in a more contemporary arrangement. That recording went on to become one of his biggest hits. Of the 13 tracks recorded for this session, the only one left off the original album was "Ain't That a Kick in the Head". However, it is included in this 2014 reissue by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.

Track List
A1 I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
A2 True Love
A3 You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
A4 On The Street Where You Live
A5 Imagination
A6 Until The Real Thing Comes Along
B1 Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
B2 I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
B3 Someday
B4 Mean To Me
B5 Heaven Can Wait
B6 Just In Time
B7 Ain't That A Kick In The Head

This Time I'm Swinging was released my Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs as a part of their GAIN 2™ Ultra Analog Series. The album and others in the series were advertised as "Original Master Recordings", which were specially plated and pressed on 180 gram high definition vinyl and mastered from the original master tapes. As has been well documented by us and others, unbeknownst to loyal fans of the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs label, MOFI incorporated a digital step into the process. Therefore, this release and just about every other MOFI releases since 2012 is not technically "Ultra Analog".

Mobile Fidelity's release of This Time I'm Swinging very much plays like it has a digital step in the process. The warmth and depth that one might expect from an all analog audiophile vinyl record and is very present in other audiophile releases (see Analogue Productions Dean Martin release) is missing on this release. While the record sounds good, it does not sound audiophile good. It has decent detail, but does not have that Wow! factor. The original releases may be a better and more satisfying option. Many of Dean's original Reprise Records releases are excellent pressings. However, the Capital years were underwhelming, which may be a contributing factor in this case. 💸

💰 Invest
 💵 Consider
💸 Pass