Sunday Mercury
03-12-2006
CD REVIEWS: JAZZ and BLUES ; Sings The Peggy Lee Songbook (Columbia) BETTE MIDLER
Byline: PAUL COLE, DAVID BROOKES & JACK DANIELS
Edition: FIRST
Section: Features
SONGBIRD Bette adds her trademark sass and style to a set of standards that sees her I reunited with Barry Manilow, who first found fame as her musical director in gay steam baths. Manilow produces the album but duets on I Love Being Here With You, ironically one of the weaker songs here. As always, the divine Miss M is magnificent when she adds attitude, and accordingly the likes of Fever, Alright OK You Win and Big Spender suit her down to the ground. But listen, too, for the more vulnerable Is That All There Is? and a delightful take on He’s A Tramp, known these days more for its Disney sugar than Lee’s pure class. JD
