Commerce East Texan
January 30, 1976
I have to admit that I was swayed by the razzle-dazzle and the lady’s chutzpah – the lady being Bette Midler.
Her arranger-producer, Barry Manilow, is gone, but check out this lineup of artists on Songs For The New Depression: Bob Dylan, Todd Rundgren, Rick Derringer, The Average White Band, and Eric Weissberg…Not a bad deal.
“Strangers In The Night,” the old classic won’t make you forget Frank Sinatra’s version but it might make you want to dance.
Phoebe Snow’s “I Don’t Want The Night To End” is tasty. Lush, but tasty. Music to play in the dark. Kind of pathetic and heart-wrenching this one. Good vocal work, a Midler tradition.
Now to the surprise appearance of Bob Dylan on “Buckets Of Rain” a tune written by the master himself. There ain’t nothing wrong with this cut. It’s fun, and Bette and Bob sound surprisingly good together.
“Love Says It’s Waiting” is a minute and 30 seconds of audio bliss. It’s this kind of material that makes Bette divine.
“Shiver Me Timbers” is the 4-star cut on this album. This song, more than any others stuck in my brain after her Dallas concert in January. If you don’t listen to any other cut on this album, listen to this one.
So who cares if you can’t understand “Samedi Et Vendredi?” Very caught Carribean-type song, resplendent with jungle birds.
Another high point (excuse the pun) of this album is “Marahuana” This is a wonderful South of the Border, Crosby/Hope/Lamour road type thing. Should be big on the FM band.
The final cut is a tasteful number, “Let Me Just Follow Behind” The kind of languid song Bette does so well.
Give the lady another chance. Songs For The New Depression is a good LP. It’s got some flaws, but then find me a flawless album… no, don’t. I’ll get into that another time.
