Customer Reviews

Broken Blossom

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This collection has some really great stuff and some really bad stuff. "Make Yourself Comfortable" is lush with fun and first love. You can't help but remember the spring of some long ago romance when there was no one but the two of you. "You Don't Know Me". I remember my mother playing this Eddy Arnold song sung by Eddy Arnold back in the 60's. This is the kind of song where Bette sizzles and sears as only Bette can do. You kind of wonder who she was thinking of when she sung this one. It comes from personal experience. "Say Goodbye To Hollywood" has the signature sound of the 70's. She does it better than Billy Joel. Almost sounds like one of those early girl groups from the early 60's. It works well! "I Never Talk To Strangers" you've got some soulful horns, the gravelly voice of some jazz singer whose smoked too many cigarettes, and Bette sitting at some bar, singing a duet. This kind of song sounds better while drinking a slow drink in some night club. You need some "nightclub" atmosphere to fully appreciate this one. "Storybook Children" is a really great song. Great arrangements. Good storyline. Best of all, sung by Bette! "Red" Yuck! Why did she put this "noise" with such a collection of great songs? "Empty Bed Blues" not as bad as "Red" but it should have been left off this collection. "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes" is one of her unknown classics. Her voice is lush and inviting. You really feel this one. Curl up and dream, and make a wish. "Paradise" is also done with an early girls groups early 60's sound. I really like this one! "Yellow Beach Unbrella" doesn't stand out but works well with this collection. "La Vie EnRose" is one of those classics every great voice should re-interpret. I wish this version sizzled a little more. Yes, it's a lovely interpretation. But it's too short and should have had some of her infamous "lounge" sound, where she really made you steam with passion. The best version I've heard is by Melissa Manchester on her "Tribute" album. That one really sizzles with heat and sophistication! All in all this is a fun and romantic collection by Bette. It has a couple of weak pieces that one can easily skip over. Worth the price!

The sheer versatility of Midler's vvoice is on display -- beboop, torch, rock and roll, blues, even a lullaby are all beautifully done. There isn't the hoopla of a live performance, but well crafted phrasing and orchestration.

This album is flawless!! One of the best albums I have ever heard. Like Midler's Bette Midler, Bathhouse Betty, and Bette, this album covers a lot of ground. Make Yourself Comfortable, You Don't Know Me, and Storybook Children are the three outstanding ballads with the signature Midler style. These songs demonstrate how much Midler can do with the emotion in her voice like no other. Storybook Children will definitely become of a favorite of any listener. Say Goodbye to Hollywood is an excellent fast pop number while Red is pure blood and guts rock and roll like the songs on Midler's smash rock and roll album The Rose. Red shows that Bette CAN sing rock and roll with the likes of Joplin, Heart, and Joan Jett. Paradise gives us an inspirationally fun ride. Think of the Sister Act soundtrack. And of course, there's Empty Bed Blues. Midler's voice is OUTSTANDING on this comical sexual romp! A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes and La Vie En Rose have more of the slow, classical sound. BUY THIS ALBUM NOW!!!! If you love this Bette album, you'll love these other Bette albums: The Divine Miss M, Bathhouse Betty, Bette of Roses, Bette, Bette Midler. Support Bette Midler! Buy the album here! Don't buy from an auction or download the songs for free!

THIS IS THE FEELINGS IN THE 1970'S WHEN BETTE FIRST APPEARED WITH JOHNNY ON THE TONITE SHOW WEARING HER COLORFUL OUTFITS AND MAKING US ALL LAUGH. "MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE" MAKES YOU SWAY AND THINK OF YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE WITH NEW LOVE. THEN "YOU DON'T KNOW ME" IS BURNING PAIN OF NO TRUTH IN LOVE. "EMPTY BED BLUES" IS JUST BETTE! OPEN COMEDY THAT LEAVES YOU WITH A GRIN.

I COULD GO ON ABOUT EACH CUT - ALL SO INDIVIDUAL - BUT ALL BETTE. SO PLEASED TO HAVE THIS ON CD- MY LP IS WORN OUT.

She's dome it again. What a great collection of songs with one "bette"r than the next.

This is not going to be your typical review. I am not a music connoisseur. I recently saw Bette's performance in Vegas. She appears to love life, and has boundless energy. When I found out she was exactly my age -- well, it made me feel younger! I knew very little about her, actually, but I am aware she has worked hard to build a career, has balanced that with family and motherhood; she has maintained a mostly private personal life, and has taken on environmental causes -- for all that she garners my greatest respect. So, I came to Amazon and bought some of Bette Midler's albums based on other people's reviews. All I can say is she seems never to have been afraid to pick material that went beyond a list of typical commercial standards. I like her individuality, I like her musical style. Keep listening to those songs she sings you never heard before -- they will grow on you. Viva Bette!

After reading some of the other reviews I thought, gee that's kinda harsh. I'm glad I ordered this cd; if only for one song "You don't know Me". There are a few classics on this that ended up in her road shows: Paradise, Empty Bed Blues and A Dream is a Wish. You know, if you've seen her on stage, she's only taking material on the road she feels is strong enough to do live.

"Paradise" live is no fluffy piece and "Empty Bed Blues" is priceless. Why is it so many singers refuse to touch Bessie Smith material unless they are either a) in a period show or 2) african american? Bette does it justice, she could even pull it back a tad but this version is all her own. Her duet with Mr. Waits is three act theater piece and they are great. I like the do-wop song "Make Yourself Comfortable" and, I forgot she did "La Vie En Rose" -- wow, she's building that Rose motif early folks, and what a tender take this one is.

The only clinkers are Red and her management but then, hey, I spent 11 years, 10 months and 22 days with an accountant. I'm not proud but it didn't kill me.

For the sake of your own Bette collection, this is a sweet song set and "You Don't Know Me", well, I think she did a better job than Brother Ray, but it didn't stop me from getting his Modern Sounds cd.

This CD is was a nice depature from Miss M's other albulms. Very well thought out and has some great classic like "RED". This CD really shows the many styles of this talented performer

For those of you whom have heard this album criticized beyond meassure, or judged it yourself, then you must not have listened close enough...

According to Midler's manager, Aaron Russo, he said he thought this album was the best thing she ever did; vocals, music... you name it. However he also felt it failed, only peaking at #51, due to there was too much of a variety; making the listener's mode change sparadically.

Her version of 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood' yes may be a little over produced, but c'mon folks this was the late 70's. But, it is better than Joel's version...

Others that stand out are a song famous in her repituare, 'Paradise,' and the love 'La Vi en Rose' and 'Daybreak'...


Get this album please!!

Bette is one of my favorite artists, but this is not one of my favorite albums, but it has some wonderful songs. It starts out on a high note with Make Yourself Comfortable, a seduction song done in a kind of 50s do-wop style.
You Don't Know Me is OK. Her version of Billie Joels Say Goodbye to Hollywood is fun and energetic. I Never Talk to Strangers takes place in a bar where Bette is fending of advances of a man sitting next to her(Tom Waits)in a style that takes one back to the old movies of the 40s and 50s. Best song on here.
Her version of Sammy Hagar's Red is interesting, not her best effort at a straight out rock song(Beast of Burden was more affective and interesting), but not bad.
Empty Bed Blues is not bad, but I am not partial to blues, so not a favorite of mine. Yellow Beach Umbrella is kind of quirkey but fun to listen to. La Vie En Rose is a nice mellow/melancholy end to the CD.
There is not really much "wrong" or "bad" about this record, and her performances are all very good. I think I am spoiled or even jaded as I have many of the later ones that are close to perfection ("Bed of Roses", "Bette" are two of my favorites)and these earlier albums suffer a little in comparison.
I think she got better at picking great songs (I think she was always good at that), and even better at arranging and performing the songs as she got older.