Bette Midler - Greatest Hits-Experience the Divine [IMPORT]

Bette Midler

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 22, 1993)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Atlantic UK
• ASIN: B000002IVS
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,128 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #22 in	Music > Imports > Broadway & Vocalists
  #43 in	Music > Imports > Pop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

From her early days in the bathhouses to her rise as the star of her own concert film, Bette Midler has always brought a campy playfulness to her performances. Experience the Divine focuses on her radio hits for the bulk of its resources, although the kicky "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" is here. Midler's voice easily adapts itself to the material she's performing: "When a Man Loves a Woman" is charged with a raw sensuality whereas "In My Life," is as tender as a lullaby. The recent standards are here, "From a Distance" and "Wind Beneath My Wings," along with her star-making turn, "The Rose." Whether she's handling Cole Porter ("Miss Otis Regrets") or the Beatles, Bette Midler's voice is dynamic and expressive, according to the needs of the song. This astute ability to interpret without always going for the kill makes her versions of her chosen material some of the best ever recorded. --Steve Gdula

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Surprise Album From The Girl of Happiness!", February 3, 2001

By	Joseph J. Brigante "Joseph Brigante" (Norwalk, CT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best of Bette's First 20 Years in Business (3.5 stars), June 16, 2003

By	Antonio Robert (Slovakia, Europe) - See all my reviews

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hmmm, July 30, 2000

By	"dreale" (USA) - See all my reviews

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.