Divine Miss M, The

The Divine Miss M is her finest,most eclectic recording,rock, pop,swing,blues, and personality to spare on a debut album recorded when she was but 26 years old! It was released shortly before her 27th birthday in 1972. It sounds like nothing else anyone was recording at the time, a true original talent. How can a woman of her years have recorded the ageless beautiful John Prine ballad "Hello In There" and done so at such a young age. There is variety and talent to spare, and that voice! You get the original album plus a 2nd CD with the singles versions of her hits, plus some unreleased new songs and a beautiful "Superstar" that I prefer over the one on the original. One of my all time favorite top 20 albums. Do yourself a favor, if you only get one Bette Midler album for you or as a gift, this is the one! It holds up after 44 years, some don't hold up after 44 days. I think Bette proves just how brilliant she was at such a tender age in choosing such varied musical styles, and they all work! Her version of "Delta Dawn" is worth the price of this CD alone, it will give you chills. No wonder she remains relevant and selling out concert halls and breaking Broadway box office records through 2018, this is a great FUN recording!

Album that made Miss M nationally known. Her voice was incredible. She shines on so many of the songs, and shows her wide range as well as zaniness. "Hello in There" has become a favourite. I've always loved "Friends" for its joy, enthusiasm and sing along quality. And song choices included tunes that other artists would later record for their Country or Top 40 fans. Recently I purchased Miss M's latest, "For the Girls". Enjoyable, however listening to the "Divine Miss M" I recognized how much her voice, range and energy had aged. We all do. This album reminded me of just how very divine Miss M truly was.

I love this album. I bought it back when it first came out (early 1970's), and saw her (for the first of many times) perform live at the Kennedy Center. I still remember the chills from hearing her sing "Am I Blue" live. It's the same now, when I hear it on this "deluxe" reissue. Many good songs--many good covers. "Delta Dawn," "Superstar" and especially "Am I Blue." The sound on this reissue is great. The songs are great. She's great.

"The Divine Miss M" is, bar none, the greatest debut album released in my 64-year lifetime. And this remastered Deluxe edition is testament to that. The sound is glorious. And if you've ever doubted Ms. M's divinity, listen again to "Superstar" or "Am I Blue" -- you'll be hooked!

Not many albums are perfection but this - Bette Midler's debut is just that. At the time of its release she was performing at a bath house in New York City with Barry Manilow as her producer and arranger/pianist. She was campy, over the time and very brassy. But included in all this was immense talent.For the first part of her career she was always called THE DIVINE MISS M and this cd reflects what that was in all its glory. Today many cds are made so carefully, every note pitch perfect and carefully arranged. The early Bette Midler was carefree and this cd sounds like she just came into your home and performed some songs for you. Nothing is held back and it is amazing.There were two big hits here - the sultry DO YOU WANT TO DANCE and BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY and they are amazing but interestingly enough they are not the best cuts on this superb set. Eclectic is not a strong enough word to describe what Ms. Midler is capable of. Every song is performed with strong personality - raw, sincere and honest. She takes the songs SUPERSTAR and DELTA DAWN and makes them emotional, heart wrenching songs of deep emotion. She wears her heart on her sleeve. I must admit I do love Karen Carpenter's version of SUPERRSTAR but this version makes it like a totally different song entirely. Other ballads AM I BLUE and HELLO IN THERE are performed with the same intensity.Then we have the campy, fun Bette on remakes of CHAPEL OF LOVE and LEADER OF THE PACK. She makes these songs come alive. And then there are 2 slightly different versions of her signatiure song FRIENDS. This simple song becomes an anthemic statement of how important it is to have people in your life. It is a snappy, uptempo song and it develops a life of its own. Throughout the songs Bette may break into dialogue and talk/share with the listener. It all works. Bette Midler, here on her debut album gloriously remastered on cd, introduces herself fully and holds nothing back. And she has so much to give. This album is a masterpiece by a legend.Highly recommended for all Bette Midler fans and all fans of quality music.

I've loved this album since it was first released and I had the vinyl version. Sadly it was one of over 400 records that were stolen several years ago. After seeing Bette live at Staples Center a few months ago I simply HAD to have this album again!It's a must have for any Bette fan and showcases her immense talent way back when.