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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
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 more 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
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album was a surprise when released, since it was something I never thought would be possible, since it is so magical. There were three major surprises on the album. One was "When A Man Loves A Woman" from The Rose soundtrack. It is beautiful to hear her sing this, compared to other remake artists like Michael Bolton. I wish this song was even more commercial at the time in 1979- 1980. That was always a classic from her. The second surprise was One More For My Baby (And One More For The Road), song Bette sung at the last Johnny Carson show. The third surprise, but not last for sure, was "Shiver Me Timbers", taking from the "Live At Last" album. Lew Hahn and Arif Mardin were responsible for managing this song, and it is one of her best and powerful tunes. It also does not surprise me Arif Mardin and Lew Hahn managed 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 as solid as the first two Culture Club albums. In a way, the same applies to Bette Midler. With her music carrier, 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. That's right. The best two studio songs on this greatest hits album are "WIng Beneath My Wings" from Beaches and "From A Distance" from "Some People's Lives", both songs produced by Arif Mardin. As a matter of fact, this whole album 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", 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 is a real greatest hits album, with each song being entertaining, and the original studio versions. As a matter of fact, 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.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Since 1973, Bette Midler has been recording ballads to rockers, show tunes to star standards. She has interpreted some of the best versions of American pop and has crafted some lesser known songs into her own. Her checkerboard singles chart history has only warranted this one and only collection of Greatest Hits. However, it does not scan all of her hits! I hope that someday, this superstar has a box set of single mixes (Chapel Of Love, Married Men), 12" mixes (Strangers In The Night, Moonlight Dancing) and rare b-sides (Samedi Et Vendredi, Bang You're Dead)(to name a few) collection.
This set includes her mega hit classics The Rose to From A Distance, to the lesser known concert favorites Hello In There to Miss Otis Regrets.
Missing are her early AC hits In The mood, Strangers In The Night, Old Cape Cod, You're Moving Out Today (would be nice to hear the 3:17 European version on CD), Storybook Children, Married Men and so on.
There is another version of this CD available that adds To Deserve You in two versions. The single mix and the #1 dance mix version. They also added Beast Of Burden (would love to hear the live video version released as a 12" on CD) and Favorite Waste Of Time.
Hopefully we can see an expansive collection of all sorts from The Divine Miss M's legacy! She deserves it! A true one of a kind performer!
This set includes her mega hit classics The Rose to From A Distance, to the lesser known concert favorites Hello In There to Miss Otis Regrets.
Missing are her early AC hits In The mood, Strangers In The Night, Old Cape Cod, You're Moving Out Today (would be nice to hear the 3:17 European version on CD), Storybook Children, Married Men and so on.
There is another version of this CD available that adds To Deserve You in two versions. The single mix and the #1 dance mix version. They also added Beast Of Burden (would love to hear the live video version released as a 12" on CD) and Favorite Waste Of Time.
Hopefully we can see an expansive collection of all sorts from The Divine Miss M's legacy! She deserves it! A true one of a kind performer!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Bette Midler is one of the most popular and one of the most talented superstars on the planet. She has produced a numerous and large amount of number one hits, and this album is all about that topic. This album contains Award Winning songs "Wind Beneath My Wings (1989)", "The Rose (1979)", and many more!
All of her hits and deeply-fan loved songs are included on this Greatest Hits album, and this album DEFINETELY deserves 5 stars!
All of her hits and deeply-fan loved songs are included on this Greatest Hits album, and this album DEFINETELY deserves 5 stars!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
BETTE MIDLER TRULY DIVINE
The title of this album says it all-truly divine.For all Bette Midler fans this is a must have.The truly great hits are here.
Published 7 months ago by Mr. G. S. Wardle
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I HAVE NOT RECEIVE IT TOGETHER WITH THE LED ZEP ALBUM HENCE I AM AFRAID I CANNOT COMMENT ON THIS ONE.
FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THIS ONE. Read more
FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THIS ONE. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Camilla
Experiencing the Divine
Bette Midler is one of those artists who seem to have been around forever and so it is easy to forget just how good they can be. Read more
Published on 20 July 2009 by Edlow
excellent
thought it very good.Has my favorite tracks. Some recorded with audience.Some I have not heard before.In all a good buy.
Published on 8 July 2009 by Ck Scott
great price
I bought this album as it had the three songs I wanted. I have found that the others songs are great too!
If you like Bette this is a great album at a great price!
If you like Bette this is a great album at a great price!
Published on 23 April 2009 by Andrea
Great covers of all kinds of songs
Bette sings excellent covers of songs from several decades of popular music, each in her own distinctive style, as well as a few originals. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2004 by Peter Durward Harris
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