Maps of Music

Bette Midler (1973)

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

Her second album carries her own name as its title, yet most of its songs are covers of work by other writers, including Bob Dylan, Brecht and Weill, and Glenn Miller.

Key places

Recording at Atlantic Studios, New York (1973)

Recording site Atlantic Studios (New York City) — Discogs lists Atlantic Recording Studios in New York as the main recording site for this album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Additional recording at A&R Studios (1973)

Recording site A&R Recording Studio — Discogs lists A&R Studios in New York as one of the sites used for additional recording on this album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Additional recording in Seattle (1973)

Recording site London Bridge Studio — Discogs lists Kaye Smith Studios in Seattle as one of the sites used for additional recording; the map point is set at city level. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Bette Midler is the second studio album by American singer Bette Midler
• Released in 1973 on the Atlantic Records label
• Produced by Arif Mardin and Barry Manilow
• Includes Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark" and Berthold Brecht and Kurt Weill's "Surabaya Johnny"
• Also includes Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" and Glenn Miller's "In the Mood"
• Includes a Phil Spector medley

Background

• The album is titled after the singer's own name
• The material spans several eras, from standards to pop-era songs and a Dylan folk song
• Discogs credits Arif Mardin as producer, percussion player and mixer
• Discogs credits Gene Orloff as concertmaster

Recording

• Recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios in New York, NY
• Additional recording took place at A&R Studios in New York, NY
• Additional recording also took place at Kaye Smith Studios in Seattle, Washington
• Discogs lists several engineers, including Buzz Richmond, Elliot Scheiner and Jimmy Douglass

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

• Cash Box: praised the performances and the production by Arif Mardin and Barry Manilow
• Record World: called the songs diverse and fun, and said Barry Manilow's arrangements were fresh and original
• Billboard: said the album covers material from several eras and that the mix of songs works in the current pop mood
• Billboard: noted the theatrical approach on "I Shall Be Released" and said she conveyed the message of "Higher & Higher" with precision
• Billboard: said she sang all parts well on "Lullaby of Broadway" and "In the Mood"

Records

• US albums chart: reached No. 6
• RIAA: later awarded a Gold Disc

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The album was first released on CD in 1989
• Discogs credits Uptown to Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and Da Doo Ron Ron to Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector
• The album mixes covers of standards with songs from the rock and pop era
• Produced by two different names, Arif Mardin and Barry Manilow, who also arranged the material

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

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