In little over a year Bette Midler has become the most exciting new star of the 1970s.
Her club and concert appearances are all SRO; she has a TV special in the offering; her first album on Atlantic records turned to gold.
You can’t ask for much more than that in such a short period of time.
Bette’s new album is full of the magic that made her a superstar in so short a time and it’s entitled simply “Bette Midler.” She sings songs old and new, investing them all with the warmth and feeling that gives them new life and freshness, whether they are happy or tragic, camp or torch.
On the Glenn Miller standard “In the Mood” she sings all the parts, the lead as well as the background vocals, and she storms through Jackie Wilson‘s “Higher & Higher.”
“Surabaja Johnny,” by Kurt Weill, will be a Bette Midler classic, and she makes “Lullabye of Broadway” portray a whole era with her inimitable vocal. The album was produced by Arif Mardin and Bette’s musical director, Barry Manilow. It’s going to be a collector’s item one day so pick it up soon.
