Customer Reviews

Experience the Divine: Greatest Hits

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This album was a surprise when released, since it was something I never thought would be possible , since it is so magical. Thre were three major surprises on the album. One was "When A Man Loves A Woman" from "The Rose" soundtrack. It is beautiful to her her sing this, compared to other remake artists like Michael Bolton. I wish this song was more commercial on the charts. This was always a classic from her. The second surprise was "One More For My Baby (And One More For The Road), a song Bette sung on the last Johnny Carson Show. The third surprise, but last for sure, was "Shiver Me Timbers", taking from the "Live At Last" album. Lew Hahn and Arif Mardin were responsible for managing this performance, as they seemed to be the two men that saved performers when they were falling apart. That's right. Mr. Mardin and Mr Hahn produced the last Culture Club album in the 1980's, "From Luxury to Heartache", and anyone who bought it knew it was just a solid as the first two Culture Club albums. In a way, the same applies to Bette Midler. With her music carrer, Bette was not really on the top in the beginning and middle 1980's. Then came Arif Mardin who produced the "Beaches" soundtrack, and Bette went to number one. The best two studio songs on this greatest hits collection are "Wind Beneath My Wings" from the "Beaches" soundtrack and "From A Distance" from "Some People's Lives", both songs produced by Arif Mardin. As a matter of fact, this whole greatest hits collection is produced and compiled by Arif Mardin and Bette Midler, and it is a classic surprise. Even from the first thoughtful song, "Hello In There" from 1972, we know we bought a classic. It is also fun to hear Bette sing "Chapel of Love". She is just great. "Friends" is a fun song as well. Let's say it openly, this a real greatest hits album, with each song being entertaining, and being the original studio versions. "The Rose" is even more enjoyable on this album, as we get to hear the song complete without screaming in the beginning of the song like on "The Rose" soundtrack. Kudos to the most lovable female singer of our time, and to one of our best and greatest producers, Arif Mardin. Thanks for reading.

Sometimes referred to as a lesser Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler has not had such a star-ridden career, but what she did in her music was always worth hearing. This compilation chronicles the greatest hits from the first twenty years or so (1972-1992) of her career.

A few songs are taken from her breakthrough debut "The Divine Miss M", hit ballads "The Rose", "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "From A Distance" (the latter two big Grammy winners) are also featured. The take on Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman" resembles Janis Joplin at her most emotional, while Cole Porter's "Miss Otis Regrets" is a great pop rendition of old standard. Also the remake of the Beatles' "In My Life" (from the movie "For The Boys" where she gave a stunning performance) is worth the name of the song.

Simply put, Bette Midler is a true artist who can sing a song. A good singer of good songs. And although her newer material has not been very successful in terms of sales, her level remains high.

Hmmmm, I am confused. Here I am looking up different reviews and was curious about Bette Midlers greatest hits. And I keep seeing some guy who does NOT use this space for reviewing but attacking one of my favorite reviewers again. So not kewl. I'll review this one after I buy it.

Bette Midler has a wonderful voice and this is a great album.
The CD starts with the extremely melancholy tearjerker, `Hello In There' (1972) followed by a soft jazzy rendition of ` Do You Want To Dance' (1972).
Then there is that beautiful ballad, `From A Distance' (1990), it is not an anti-war rave, but a beautiful song of spiritual contemplation.
Her version of `Chapel Of Love' (1972) is also a great, feel-good number.

`Only In Miami' (1983) is a superb Calypso piece, which also brings to mind the plight of millions of Cuban exiles from the cruel Castro regime in Cuba.
`When A Man Loves A Woman' (1979) (is a bit different to the original, but certainly adds a soft touch `The Rose' (1979) is one of the most exquisite, inspirational love songs of all times.

The jazzy `Miss Otis Regrets' (1990) is a fun rendition of the 1935 Cab Calloway hit, and `Shiver Me Timbers' (1976) is another lovely imagery hit and who can forget the poetic `The Wind Beneath Mt Wings' (1988) from the `Beaches Soundtrack.'
And I also enjoy Bette's 1991 rendition of John Lennon's `In My Life'
This is a great compilation of some beautiful music.
Sit and listen , notonly to the words , but let the music speak to you !

Obviously for everyone! All of Bette's classics are here! Wind Beneath My Wings, From A Distance, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, The Rose, etc. An outstanding collection of songs. The album also contains One For My Baby (And One More For The Road), the number that Bette sang when she was Johnny Carson's Final Guest. That is the final clincher for a reason to buy this album. BUY IT!!! If you love this Bette album, you'll love these other Bette albums: The Divine Miss M, Broken Blossom, Beaches soundtrack, Bette of Roses, Bathhouse Betty, Bette. Support Bette Midler! Buy the album here! Don't buy from an auction or download the songs for free!

I was suprised at some of the songs that were and weren't on the album. I was supried, for example, at the fact that they included "Only in Miami", because I happen to know that it wasn't one of her greatest hits. They didn't include "I Shall Be Released" or "Paradise", which are Bette Midler standards. Also, "The Rose" and "In My Life" are different from the original soundtrack recordings. This is a good first Bette Midler CD, but if you're already a fan and have any of her CD's, you're wasting your money.

There is no other like the Divine Ms. M. I have been listening to her for many years and since I was just a child. This is the kind of music that makes the memories come back. I heard the "Rose" today on the radio and tears started to flow as I remembered the people who really truly loved me in my past. Recently divorced, this music brought back the embrace of sheltering arms. That's what "Wind Between My Wings" is all about. Thank you Ms. M!!!!!

Bette sings excellent covers of songs from several decades of popular music, each in her own distinctive style, as well as a few originals.

Among the originals, the outstanding song is The Rose, a song written by Amanda McBroom who was then unknown but has established herself as a cabaret singer since she wrote this song.

Bette is perhaps best known for two massive international hits. Wind beneath my wings started life as an R+B song but a Gary Morris cover made the top five in the American country chart. Lee Greenwood's cover became a minor British pop hit. Bette had a major pop hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Bette's version of From a distance, first recorded by folk-country singer Nanci Griffith, matched the success of Wind beneath my wings.

John Prine, an under-appreciated singer-songwriter, wrote Hello in there. Do you wanna dance is a rock'n'roll classic. Chapel of love is of a similar vintage, being originally recorded by the Dixie Cups. When a man loves a woman is a cover of Percy Sledge's classic soul song. The Beatles are represented by a wonderful cover of In my life.

Cole Porter wrote Miss Otis regrets, making it the oldest song here - it was a hit for Ethel Waters way back in 1934. Another old song, Boogie woogie bugle boy, was a hit for the Andrews sisters in 1941. Completing a trilogy of songs from the Great American Songbook is One for my baby, a 1945 hit for Lena Horne.

As a representation of Bette's music, this is excellent.

All of Bette's greatest songs are on this CD,from her early hits,"Do you want to Dance,"and her Barry Manilow days,"Chapel of Love," to Bette's biggest hits,"From a Distance,"Wind beneath my wings,"and "The Rose." My two favorite's are "Only in Miami,"and "Shiver me Timbers." There's even Bette's show stopper "One for my Baby," that she sang for Johnny Carson on his last late night show."Experience the Divine" was a huge hit,and its still on Billboards Top Pop Catalog Chart.

A wonderful and unique artist and a true star; this collection shows off Bette Midler's talents. Personally I miss "Beast of
burden" from her "No Frills"-album. The song was quite a hit
in Europe. It's about time for a volume 2 of this lady's
greatest -she has recorded several great songs since this
compilation came out.