Skylark/Drinking Again/Breaking Up Somebody's Home/Surabaya Johnny/I Shall Be Released/Optimistic Voices-Lullaby Of Broadway/In The Mood/Uptown-Da Doo Run Run/Twisted/Higher & Higher
Self titled follow up album from the powerful American vocalist Bette Midler, which more than equalled the high chart placing of her debut. She would continue to maintain her popular appeal for many years. (US:6)
“The album Bette Midle is basically a continuation of her first record, but it doesn't have any of her well-known songs, except for In The Mood, which was a minor hit. That doesn't make this album any less of an achievement, of course, because it is stunning. The album opener, Skylark, is one of her absolute best performances, as well as an amazing cover of Dylan's I Shall Be Released. There are the requisite lounge/jazz/girl group songs like her first album, but this one has more of a soul/funk influence. If you love Bette, this one is as essential as her first effort.”
“This is Bette Midler’s second record, and it's a great melancholic piece of work. Bette is in great vocal shape, she can really hit those high notes. It’s only a shame that her recording career changed so much after this album; this is the last of the raw-edge Bette Midler albums. She afterwards turned to love ballads resulting in some mega hit songs. But I like Bette more at this period when she's sassier.”
“Throughout this album, Bette shows her sense of humour through song and song selection. She plays with songs, plays with her voice and plays with the listener.”
“The album is very sharply divided between the two sides, with the slower, more serious songs up first, followed by the more dance-happy material bringing up the rear. This works wonderfully for me.”
“Bette Midler is one of the most classic, entertaining albums I have ever owned. Skylark is a gorgeous ballad, which highlights Bette's sweeping, beautiful voice. Drinking Again continues this tone with a melancholic, bittersweet ballad; highly unusual for a drinking song. Breaking Up Somebody's Home is a sultry, absolute riot. Bette is allowed in this song to put on her vampiness and campiness in full force.”
“I have listened to this record hundreds of times over the years and I never seem to grow tired of it. Her voice is unencumbered by melodramatic echo effects or cheesy synthesized keyboards as in later albums. Her versions of Skylark and Drinking Again do justice to Johnny Mercer's genius.”
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