Dean "Tex" Martin: Country Style cover

Dean "Tex" Martin: Country Style

Dean Martin · 1963

30 min · 12 tracks · country music

Smooth crooning meets heartfelt storytelling, blending traditional country with Dean Martin's signature charm and warmth.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry Start here — This track showcases Martin's emotive vocal delivery, capturing the essence of loneliness that permeates many classic country songs. Its arrangement allows his voice to shine through the somber lyrics.
  • →
    I Walk the Line — Martin's interpretation of this Johnny Cash classic adds a smoothness that contrasts with Cash's original version, demonstrating his ability to infuse a personal touch into familiar songs.
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    Room Full of Roses — With its romantic lyrics and lush instrumentation, this track exemplifies Martin's knack for blending heartfelt emotion with polished musicality, making it a standout on the album.
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    Hey, Good Lookin’ — Martin’s playful rendition breathes new life into this Hank Williams classic, showcasing his charismatic stage presence even in audio form.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends traditional country with Martin's pop style, creating a smooth yet familiar sound.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, with most tracks anchored by smooth instrumentation and Martin's relaxed vocal delivery.
  • Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, allowing for clear storytelling and emotional expression throughout.
  • Several tracks incorporate lush string arrangements that enhance the traditional country sound while maintaining a pop sensibility.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • for nostalgic evenings
  • sing-along favorites with friends
  • smooth background for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of high energy
  • prefer experimental soundscapes

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album solidified Dean Martin's transition to country music and broadened his appeal.
Themes
country heartbreak· smoky barrooms· romantic nostalgia
Career context
Released in 1963, this album came during Dean Martin's transition from a successful big band singer to a prominent figure in country music. By this time, he had already established himself as a major star with hits in both pop and easy listening genres, making this album a significant venture into the country style that appealed to his diverse audience.
Stylistic neighbors
Frank Sinatra· Nat King Cole· Tony Bennett

Tracklist

  • 1 I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry Start here 2:36
  • 2 Face in a Crowd 2:50
  • 3 Things 2:41
  • 4 Room Full of Roses 2:58
  • 5 I Walk the Line 2:25
  • 6 My Heart Cries for You 3:12
  • 7 Any Time 2:22
  • 8 Shutters and Boards 2:51
  • 9 Blue, Blue Day 1:48
  • 10 Singing the Blues 2:09
  • 11 Hey, Good Lookin’ 1:46
  • 12 Ain’t Gonna Try Anymore 2:20

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata