No Frills [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Bette Midler

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 29, 1995)
• Original Release Date: 1983
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002J5F
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #159,444 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not her best...but there are some terrific things in there, April 17, 2001

By A Customer

"No Frills" is a typical 80s product. Featuring Top 40 production values (ie, safe, commercial but dull), this is not among Bette's best albums. To sample what the lady is truly capable of, you are advised to turn to her two early 70s releases, "Divine Ms M" and "Songs From A New Depression" and also her latest, "Bette". Her mid-career period wasn't particularly fertile. It didn't yield anything remotely comparable in quality or consistency and "No Frills" is just one of those mediocre albums saved only by some really terrific things in there. Much of the first side features top drawer material. The first three cuts, "Is It Love", "You're My Favourite Waste Of Time" and a definitive rendition of "All I Need To Know" quite frankly blew me away. Linda Ronstadt's more polished hit version of the latter retitled "Don't Know Much" took much of the rawness and impact away. But with the exception of the lovely "My Eye On You" and a credible cover of the Rolling Stones' "Beast Of Burden", it's mostly downhill from there on. "Heart Over Head" is painfully pedestrian while the two closing numbers are so unmemorable I can't even remember what they sound like. "Only In Miami" is, on the other hand, just one of those Latin/samba like things Bette always include in her albums. It's OK but unexceptional. "No Frills" isn't a terribly good album but if you're a Bette fan, you're gonna love at least half of what's in here and 5 out of 10 ain't too bad. I gave this 3-star album a 4-star rating only because the best of it is pretty terrific.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bette is excellent with 80's rock!, October 13, 2001

By	dustler "dustler" - See all my reviews

Bette Midler's third rock and roll album. Unlike The Rose and Divine Madness soundtracks, this is NOT the pure blood and guts Joplin like sound. This album, released in '83, is the signature 80's rock sound. I have to admit Only In Miami doesn't quite fit on this album. Midler was WAY ahead of her time with this song as it is a latin dance tune. Midler's version of Jagger's Beast of Burden is flawless. It is definitely better than the original. Midler's version flows better, and has a rock and roll sound that the original did not. Her voice contains that perfect edge throughout. Think of All I Need to Know as The Rose part two. A beautiful ballad, more stunning sung by Bette than by Aaron Neville and Linda Rondstat who made it a hit after Bette. My Eye on You is a haunting number brought to life by Midler's low edgy voice and the lasting music. Favorite Waste of Time and Heart Over Head blend the rock sound with the pop sound. The album is excellent! BUY IT NOW!!!!! If you love this Bette album, you'll love these other Bette albums: The Rose soundtrack, Divine Madness, Broken Blossom. Support Bette Midler! Buy the album here! Don't buy from an auction or download the songs for free!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of Bette, June 12, 2001

By	"rscast" (Taylorsville, Utah United States) - See all my reviews

I saw Bette on tour supporting this album in September of 1983 here in Utah. It was and is the best concert I have seen to this day. I have went through 3 copies of this album on cassette and now I have the CD which I hope lasts a little longer. "All I Need to Know" is so much better than the later Linda Rondstadt/Aaron Neville duet. "Only in Miami" is perfect. "Let Me Drive" is classic Bette in the vein of later works such as "Big Socks" and "In These Shoes?" I have been a fan since the 70's. This woman always gets me humming and puts a smile on my face. Keep it up, Bette !!!!!