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Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook (2005)

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

Its single 'Fever' is a cover of a 1956 Little Willie John record, and the version that became best known was Peggy Lee's 1958 rendition.

Key places

Recording at O'Henry Studios in Burbank (2005)

Recording site O'Henry Sound Studios — The album was recorded at O'Henry Recording Studios in Burbank, California, by Andrew Scheps and David Benson. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Mixing at Schnee Studios in North Hollywood (2005)

Recording site Larrabee Sound Studios — The album was mixed by Bill Schnee at Schnee Studios in North Hollywood, a separate step from the recording in Burbank. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Mastering at the Mastering Lab in Hollywood (2005)

Recording site The Mastering Lab, Los Angeles — Doug Sax and Robert Hadley mastered the album at the Mastering Lab in Hollywood, the final studio step in its production. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook: studio album by American singer Bette Midler
• Tribute album to Peggy Lee, released in 2005
• Produced by Barry Manilow, a follow-up to the Grammy-nominated Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook (2003)
• Released in the DualDisc format, Midler's first album in that format
• DVD side limited to a few short video clips
• Initial release affected by Extended Copy Protection technology
• Ten songs originally recorded by Peggy Lee between 1947 and 1969
• Released on Columbia Records on 25 October 2005

Background

• Peggy Lee, a major jazz singer of her era, died in 2002
• Manilow was Midler's accompanist in the early 1970s and produced her first two albums, The Divine Miss M (1972) and Bette Midler (1973)
• Manilow originated the idea for the album, which followed the Rosemary Clooney songbook's surprising success
• French commentary: the Peggy Lee tribute is more faithful to its source than the Clooney album

Recording

• Recorded at O'Henry Recording Studios in Burbank, California, by Andrew Scheps and David Benson
• Mixed by Bill Schnee at Schnee Studios in North Hollywood
• Mastered by Doug Sax and Robert Hadley at the Mastering Lab in Hollywood
• All tracks produced by Barry Manilow, co-produced by David Benson
• Manilow sings a duet with Midler on 'I Love Being Here with You'

Cover

• Design by Gail Marowitz and Michelle Holme
• Photography by Firooz Zahedi, with Peggy Lee photos by Ray Avery and Bob Willoughby

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Disc 1

Disc 2

Disc 3

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 John Bush called it a talented, affectionate record that adds little to the cause but is a solid tribute
• Bush praised Midler's restrained verses and the uninhibited chorus, where her delivery turns playful
• Bush found the arrangements, mostly by Manilow, very good, though they show close knowledge of the originals
• John Anson, writing for the Lancashire Telegraph, said Midler's talent as a blues and big band singer is easy to forget
• Anson said the collection gives Midler a chance to show her vocal talent again
• AllMusic gave the album 3.5 stars (French source)
• James Gavin saw the album as a sincere tribute to Peggy Lee
• Kevin Winkler was very critical and said only a few tracks stood out, with 'I Love Being Here with You' among them
• The family of Peggy Lee responded emotionally, praising Manilow's arrangements and Midler's performances

Records

• Debuted and peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard 200
• Sold 55,000 copies in its first week of release
• Highest chart placing for a Midler album since Some People's Lives reached number six in 1991
• Sold 263,000 copies in the United States by October 2006
• A remix of 'Fever' by L.E.X reached number 4 on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in 2006

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• 'Fever' was originally a 1956 Little Willie John record, and Peggy Lee's 1958 version became the best-known rendition and her signature song.
• The DualDisc release carried a warning sticker saying the audio side does not conform to CD specifications and may not play on some CD and DVD players.
• The DVD side included an interview with Midler, footage of Peggy Lee, and complete performances of 'Fever', 'Is That All There Is', 'He's a Tramp' and 'I'm a Woman'.
• Manilow, Midler's accompanist in the early 1970s, sings a duet on 'I Love Being Here with You', the third track.
• Peggy Lee's family said they were delighted that Bette and Barry paid tribute to Mama Peggy in such a wonderful way.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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