"How refreshing! A Dean Martin show that does justice to the music rather than just the look"-Rex Travallier
Dean Martin Tribute Show. An exciting hour and fifteen minute show spotlighting the recording career of one of America’s most popular entertainers, Dean Martin. Chicago based crooner Frank Lamphere (not a Dean Martin impersonator in the usual sense) explores Dean Martin’s early years with songs such as: I'll Always Love You, That’s Amore (from the Martin & Lewis movie The Caddy) and You Belong To Me. There are the 50’s hits like: Volare, Return To Me and Memories Are Made of This as well as some great songs that never were hits: Via Veneto, You Look So Familiar, and Rio Bravo from the film of the same name with John Wayne. Finally, Frank performs the Dean Martin successes of the 1960's. You’ll hear: The Door Is Still Open To My Heart, I Will, and Dean’s theme song Everybody Loves Somebody and many more.
Lamphere, who performs this show with an all star band has been a standout perfomer on the Midwest music scene for a number of years. His long list of credits include: numerous club dates, industrial shows, commercials, being the Friday night vocalist at the “5” star Peninsula Hotel, electrifying big crowds at Jilly’s Naperville when they opened in 2007 and regularly performs concerts in Milan, Italy.
Lamphere brings to this show, a great admiration for this classic music genre and especially for his favorite singer, Dean Martin. The show features Frank's razor sharp historical perspective, keen wit, and a natural vocal resemblance to Dean that many say, is one of the best around.
Below, rare video of the inimitable Dean Martin singing on television
Dean Martin Impersonator? Dean Martin Imitator?
An imitator or an impersonator like an illusionist, attempts to trick the audience with a "sleight of hand". In the case of the Dean Martin mimics, imitators, and impersonators, it's the constantly lit cigarette, the Dino wig, off colored out of date jokes, and the on stage persona of a staggering drunk. All of the above designed to hide the fact that they rarely have any kind of voice or singing ability. This redundant imitation cheapens his great legacy and doesn't do justice to Dean Martin's depth of talent.
The real Dean Martin, was oozing with natural talent. As a singer, Dean posessed a magnificently beautiful voice with it's tone that eminated as the familiar baritone on such ballads as You Belong To Me and Where Can I Go Without You. According to historians, Dean had a way of phrasing that borrowed from both Bing Crosby and Harry Mills (Mills Brothers) but, that was uniquely his own. Further more, Dean developed a seemingly carefree manner that said to the audience "Hey, I'm just like you, I just happen to be up here singing". He was a very modest man. There are few performers who really capture the intonation and subtle nuances of the style that made Dino such beloved singer. Chicago based singer Frank Lamphere is one exception.
"Frank Lamphere Sings Dean Martin" is a unique musical event. Frank Lamphere has a knowledge and passion for the traditional pop and jazz music that is uncanny. This knowledge, passion and musical ability is translated into a superb musical revue. Both a tribute to the glorious music of the past and a modern concert. It may sound an like an exaggeration but Lamphere is able to perform hundreds of Dino tunes. Having a similar timbre to Dean's, undoubtedly developed from singing along to Dean's records as a kid, give Frank Lamphere's renditions of Dino's songs a realism not heard with other singers.
Listen for yourself!
Frank sings several Dean Martin songs in this video
Mr. Rat Pack Frank Lamphere Presents a Musical Tribute to Dean Martin. Though not an imitator, Frank Lamphere sings the majority of Dean's repertoire.
Frank Lamphere chats with Deana Martin at the Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio. Click on the photo to go to Deana's website.
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