Divine Miss M [Original recording remastered]

Bette Midler | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000002J5H
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,059 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Was Bette Midler playing on the title of Dinah Washington's The Swingin' Miss D when she named her 1972 debut? Washington would've been proud of this album's tune stack, which makes a sensuous slow-jam classic of "Do You Want to Dance?" by Bobby Freeman, salutes the Andrews Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," and produces signature pieces of John Prine's "Hello in There" and Buzzy Linhart's "Friends." Midler might not have set out to reinvent the wheel, but on her first try, she outdid Barbra Streisand in taste, wit, and yes, sophistication. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Years of acting in comedies and performing Las Vegas revues have clouded public perception of Bette Midler; people tend to forget now just how completely weird she was in 1972, how she skirted on the edges of taboo. Absurdly sexy, defiantly trashy, and unafraid of crossing musical boundaries whenever she felt like it, the Bette Midler of her debut, THE DIVINE MISS M, is someone truly remarkable. That this sense of adventurousness was eventually replaced by more mainstream aspirations is somewhat of a shame, but at least for this album, something truly new was happening.
The record starts with a sultry, sexy re-imagination of Bobby Freeman`s `Do You Want to Dance?` as a more carnal invitation than the dance-party original, and moves through similar re-workings of Leon Russell`s groupie anthem `Superstar,` John Prine`s stark `Hello in There` and, most famously, `Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.` The album`s emotional center, however, is the bittersweet, Buzzy Linhart-penned `Friends,` which opens and closes what was Side Two of the original LP, and became Midler`s signature tune. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joyously Alive, July 24, 2002

By 

Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Divine Miss M (Audio CD)

The Dixie Cups recorded Chapel of Love; Superstar was best know as a top 40s hit for The Carpenters; The Shangri-Las did Leader of the Pack. Every one from Tanya Tucker to Helen Reddy had a hit with Delta Dawn, and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy is an Andrews Sisters classic. In fact, at the time this recording was released, there was very little on it that was strictly identified with the then-unknown Bette Midler.

But to my mind it remains the best Bette Midler album. Oh sure, Midler has done wonderful things since--great recordings that will stand the test of time--but in terms of overall success THE DIVINE MISS M is IT. And although most of these songs were made famous by other artists, once Midler gets hold of them she makes them her own. Delta Dawn becomes a mixture of pathos and unexpected sassiness, completely unlike any other version you've ever heard. The often-recorded Am I Blue, a staple of every torch singer that ever lived, suddenly belongs to Midler and Midler alone, and the Carpenter's version of Superstar seems almost dispassionate in comparison. She easily bests the Dixie Cups and the Shangri-Las, and even The Andrews Sisters are tossed about in the tide, with Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy both hommage and reinterpretation.

Crowning all this are two versions of Midler's signature tune Friends. The first version is a cute throw-away with a children's chorus, the second one begins in darkness and explodes into light to finish the album. Everything about this recording is beautiful, joyous, brilliant, passionate, and intensely alive. If there is such a thing as the artistic heir to the late, legendary Judy Garland, it is beyond doubt the equally legendary Bette Midler, and THE DIVINE MISS M offers her in all her youth, energy, and beauty. Your stereo is calling out for this one; don't wait. Strongly recommended.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Appropriately Titled!, November 6, 2000

By 

"fantasy77" (Kirkland, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divine Miss M (Audio CD)

I believe the first time I saw this record it was about 1983, I was 6, and my father brought it home for my mother who was completely overjoyed with it, (I believe her prior copy was lost or ruined.) As a result, I grew up on this album. When I purchased my own copy of it, I remembered exactly when and why I fell in love with Bette Midler's vocal stylings.

"Friends," of which there are 2 versions (one produced by Joel Dorn, the other by Barry Manilow and others,) Shows different angles to her personalty. One version (track 6) is a little slower, a little more wispy, with a hilarious ending featuring many different 'Bette's' talking over each other. The second version, which closes the album, is a little heavier sung, more strong vocally, and just a song to sing along to loudly.

"Do You Want To Dance" is Bette at her sultriest. Who in their right mind would say no to the Divine Miss M?

"Chapel Of Love," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," and "Leader Of The Pack" are all remakes of songs I loved, but loved even more after Bette remade them.

Now Bette's version of "Superstar" was the first time I heard this song, not hearing the Carpenters' version 'til many years later, and I have to say (sorry, Karen) that Bette takes this song to new heights. Whenever I am asked what my favourite Bette song is, this is my choice...and of course, I have to pull out the CD and play it for them.

"Daytime Hustler" is rollicking good fun, and I just love how she wraps her voice around such lyrics, a woman determined not to take back this "jive, jive dude." "Delta Dawn" is absolutely amazing, and "Am I Blue" and "Hello In There" never cease to make me slow down and think about corresponding moments in my life.

After owning this album on Vinyl, Cassette, and now CD for the past 17 years, I never get tired of it. "The Divine Miss M" is in the running for my absolute favourite album ever recorded, and I will always remember dancing around the living room with my mother singing "Friends" and "Do You Want To Dance," the volume on the record player (yes, that's right...vinyl!) as loud as we could get away with.

This is the definitive Bette album.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seminal influence, October 13, 2003

By 

bbc (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divine Miss M (Audio CD)

This is one of the absolute best first albums by a pop artist to date. I remember sneaking my older sister's "Divine Miss M" album out of her room when she wasn't around and playing it on our "stereophonic hi-fi." (We're talking back in 1972 after all.) Imagine a 12-year-old girl from the 'hood crooning along with Bette Midler's "Am I Blue" and totally getting it! When I listen to this CD now, I'm still amazed at how she renders all the covers on that album as hers and hers alone...every single note, every single riff...

To any and all Bette Midler newbies...get this album.