Maps of Music

Bette (2000)

Where the lyrics of Bette take you, and where it was really made.

Released to coincide with the premiere of her self-titled CBS sitcom, the album peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200, and Warner Bros. dropped Midler from its roster the following year.

Key places

Chung King Studios, New York (2000)

Recording site Chung King Studios — The source lists Chung King Studios in New York as a recording location for the album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Record Plant, Hollywood (2000)

Recording site Record Plant (Los Angeles) — The source lists Record Plant in Hollywood as a recording location for the album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Sony Music Studios, New York (2000)

Recording site Sony Music Studios — The source lists Sony Music Studios in New York as a recording location for the album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Bette: self-titled studio album by American singer Bette Midler
• Released 10 October 2000 by Warner Bros. Records in the United States
• Timed to coincide with the premiere of her self-titled CBS sitcom
• Mixes covers of songs written by Elvis Costello and Kirsty MacColl with cover versions of classic soul and R&B songs from the 1970s
• Includes 'Shining Star', 'Love T.K.O.' and 'Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)'
• Track listing has 11 songs, including 'In These Shoes?' and 'God Give Me Strength'

Background

• Released as Midler's self-titled album during her own CBS television series
• Warner Bros. dropped Midler from its roster in 2001 because of declining record sales
• A maxi-single with several remixes of 'In These Shoes' was released to promote the album

Recording

• Recording locations listed in the source include Chung King Studios in New York
• Sony Music Studios in New York is also listed as a recording location
• Record Plant in Hollywood, Los Angeles is listed as a recording location too

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Born December 1, 1945 in Honolulu, Hawaii; American actress, comedian, singer, and author.
• Moved to New York City in 1965 and began in off-off-Broadway plays, then appeared in Fiddler on the Roof and Salvation on Broadway in the late 1960s.
• Rose to prominence in 1970 singing at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in New York, where she built a core following.
• Debut album The Divine Miss M (1972) earned the 1973 Grammy for Best New Artist.
• Starred in the film The Rose (1979), earning an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe.
• Won Record of the Year for "Wind Beneath My Wings" from the film Beaches (1988).
• Has over 30 million records sold worldwide, with 14 solo studio albums since 1970.
• Received a Tony Award for Hello, Dolly! (2017 Broadway revival) and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2021.

Activism

• Founded the New York Restoration Project in 1995 to revitalize neglected parks in disadvantaged New York neighborhoods.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• AllMusic editor William Ruhlmann rated the album four out of five stars
• Ruhlmann called it an excellent album to tie in with the premiere of her network television show
• Ruhlmann said producer Don Was placed Midler in mid-tempo pop arrangements of old R&B ballads
• Ruhlmann wrote that fans of the bawdy and bathetic Bette may be disappointed, while other followers would enjoy the balance and consistency of the collection
• Rolling Stone writer Richard Abowitz noted that Midler is backed by her touring band on ballads and vamps
• Abowitz wrote that Midler's secret weapon has always been her ability to pick material, and that Bette is no exception

Records

• Debuted and peaked at number 69 on the US Billboard 200, the lowest chart position of Midler's albums up to that point
• Reached number eight on the US Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Singles
• Reached number 14 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart
• Sold 226,000 copies in the United States by October 2003, according to Nielsen SoundScan

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The album was released in the same season as the premiere of Midler's self-titled CBS sitcom.
• A maxi-single with several remixes of 'In These Shoes' was released to promote the album.
• The album was Midler's lowest-charting album up to that point, and Warner Bros. dropped her in 2001.
• Elvis Costello and Kirsty MacColl wrote songs covered on the album.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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