Bette Midler

I first heard this album while stationed and living in Hawaii in 1973. It was a turning point in my musical journey because of In the Mood in particular. That revealed to me that the stuff my parents listened to when I was growing up was not as corny as I once believed. Also, the Wardell Gray/Annie Ross piece, Twisted, caught my attention, and from these I started paying more attention to big band/swing, as well as the 'hip' music from the 50s that I somehow missed.Actually, the entire album is an eclectic collection of tracks from different genres. The arrangements gave each track a period-correct feel, and Midler's ability to deliver a song with white hot energy made me an instant fan.Give the sound samples a quick listen. Every track is a masterpiece, and there are more than a few standards tossed in to make it all the more interesting. The sequence sort of keeps you off balance too - imagine seguing from Glenn Miller's anthem, In the Mood, to a girl group medley of Uptown/Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby/Da Doo Ron Ron.This is early Midler at her finest. I am listening to it as I write and it still sounds viable and relatively fresh today. Perhaps the arrangements could be modernized, but it still swings, gets your feet tapping and catches you by surprise.

Bette Midler's second album, which reached #6 on the charts and was certified Gold, is classic Bette. This album, like many of hers, has it all. The track list, like The Divine Miss M album, is well organized with smartly chosen songs. Skylark and Drinking Again are excellent, emotional filled ballads with that amazing 70's sound, while Breaking Up Somebody's Home is Midler at her bitchy, rock and roll best. The album is worth the buy solely for her version of I Shall Be Released (for a live version check out Divine Madness). Midler's pipes are in top form, beating the original by miles. We've got the funny, campy Twisted and the big album ending number Higher and Higher (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me). Having almost a gospel touch, this performance proves why she has the most versatile voice in the business. This song is one of Bette's best and I cannot, to this day, believe it has never appeared on one of her greatest hits albums. This album also contains the Glenn Miller classic In The Mood. Bette added additional lyrics and makes the song as fun as ever. Taking a strange turn Midler provides Surabaya Johnny. It's a wonderful story song with a beginning, middle, and end and brought to life as Midler adds her emotions to each note and each section of the song building to an amazing end. Her vocals and emotional storytelling abilities on this song will grow on you after each listen until it becomes another amazing song on this amazing album. And to add to this classic album you get the classic cover with another amazing portrait of Bette by Amsel.

Bette Midler's first album THE DIVINE MISS M was such a masterpiece that honestly nothing could ever compare. That certainly does not mean that this, her self titled second release, is not of the highest quality and a 5 star release in itself. It is just a little subpar compared to the amazing debut. This album follows in the same vein with dramatic, emotional readings of ballads such as DRINKING AGAIN, SKYLARK and HIGHERT AND HIGHER. We also have a venture into jazz wtith IN THE MOOD and she lets it all loose on the anthemic I SHALL BE RELEASED. Some think this song is overdone and out of place but I think it works perfectly. Bette also returns to the fun, campy remakes with LULLABY OF BROADWAY and the awesome medley with the highlight of DA DOO RUN RUN.Most important, what is here is a continuation of the rare talent that is Bette Midler. She is campy, raw, seductive, sultry and always impressive. A very high quality follow-up to an amazing debut.

I think side A is a little too moody for me, but there are times after a drink or three when it's just right. But the second side is full of the bounce, wit, and freshness that first drew me to Midler a hundred years ago. This particular album/side has been the soundtrack to some of the most important moments of my life and --perhaps--helped me get past them. The product itself was actually better than the vinyl I bought back in the 70's of this.

See my review of "The Divine Miss M."

arrived promptly--great album!

She really is The Divine Miss M! Bette's early work is incredible. This has been one of my favorite albums for many years. How nice to have it on a CD.Bette played Mama Rose in the television adaptation of Broadway's greatest musical, "Gypsy"... Please take a look at my new book about Gypsy Rose Lee, also known as The Divine Miss L! Lady of Burlesque: The Career of Gypsy Rose Lee

yes Happy with it excellent

I first bought this as an LP in the 1970's and I was delighted to find that it's available as a CD. It still sounds as fresh and enjoyable as it did the first time round. Loved it!

had this in the early eighties on LP - this is just as good

Nice album

excellent

Excellent