The Divine Miss M by Bette Midler

Perhaps because she is an accomplished actress as well, Midler’s emotions always ring true. Though her talent hasn’t wavered in the years since this debut, few of the collections that followed have been as consistent, revealing, or of such high quality. -- Bryan Buss/AMG 4.5/5 Stars -- The Divine Miss M is the debut album by American female vocalist Bette Midler, released in 1972 on the Atlantic Records label. The title of the album refers to Midler’s famous stage persona. The Divine Miss M album, co-produced by Barry Manilow, includes several songs that since have become repertoire standards, such as “Do You Want To Dance”, “Chapel of Love”, “Hello In There”, “Friends” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. The Divine Miss M reached #9 on the U.S. albums chart and was later awarded a Platinum Disc by the RIAA. In 1973 the album won Midler a Grammy for Best Newcomer. “Do You Want To Dance,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Friends” were all Top 40 hit singles from the album, with “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” climbing to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. Personnel Bette Midler – lead vocals Cissy Houston – backing vocals, track: A1 Tender Loving Care (Renelle Broxton, Diedre Tuck, Beverly McKenzie) – backing vocals, track: A1 Gail Kantor – backing vocals, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6 Melissa Manchester – backing vocals, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6 Merle Miller – backing vocals, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6 Barry Manilow – piano & rhythm track Pat Rebillot – piano, track B1 Dickie Frank – guitar David Spinozza – guitars Ron Carter – bass guitar Michael Federal – bass guitar, backing vocals track B4 Ray Lucas – drums Kevin Ellman – drums Ralph MacDonald – percussion instruments Thom Bell – horn and string arrangement, track A1 Gene Orloff – violin, track B1 Emanuel Green – violin, track B1 Selwart Clarke – viola, track B1 Kermit Moore – cello, track B1 William S. Fischer – string arrangement, track B1 Don Arnone – guitar, track B5 Dick Hyman – piano, track B5 Milton Hinton – bass, track B5 Ted Sommer – drums, track B5 Marty Nelson – vocal arranger, track B5 Arif Mardin – arrangement, track B5 Production Ahmet Ertegün – producer, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6 Barry Manilow – producer, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6 Geoffrey Haslam – producer, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6 Joel Dorn – producer, tracks: A1, A5, B1, B2, B5 Lew Hahn – recording engineer Barry Manilow – musical arranger, musical conductor Richard Amsel – cover illustration Richard Mantel – cover art direction & design Kenn Duncan – backliner photo Remixed by: Geoffrey Haslam, Lew Hahn, Bob Liftin Remixed at Regent Sound Studios and Atlantic Studios Recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York ℗ 2005 Atlantic Recording Corp. Manufactured & Marketed by Warner Strategic Marketing.