Summer of 1973
I remember The Summer Of 1973. Sometimes, music makes time stand still. I was working a job out of doors and I heard "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" drifting through the air, "The Divine Miss M" is an accurate title.

I've been listening to this music again this year, as I've watched Bette Midler's friend Hillary Clinton win more votes than any other Presidential primary candidate in history.

Divine She Was, Divine She Remains
One day in the early 1970's , I ran home from school to watch "The Virginia Graham Show", just like all the other boys who weren't in football practice. Settling down in front of the t.v with my Sugar Pops, ., I clearly remember the moment when Ms. Graham, she of the big white hair and big red mouth... introduced this unknown singer who proceded to blow my and everyone else's socks off. Looking like nothing anyone had ever seen before, and dressed and coiffed like a 1940's nightmare, I couldn't figure out if I loved her or if I was terrified of her. Strange creature indeed. What WAS she? The next time I'd heard of her was upon the release of "The Divine Miss M", which coincided with her appearing in my hometown. I had to work that night, (at the very hotel in which the Divine One was staying!) but all the buzz that day was about Miss M. Upon first listening to this album, I realized immediately that I was hearing something very, very special, and so did everyone else. This became THE album, that you played so many times and at every party that you wore it out, and I was no exception. With songs like "Am I Blue" , she was a smokey-roomed spotlight- lit chanteuse ala Helen Forrest and Margaret Whiting, then quick as a flash she schitzos into "Do You Want To Dance", "Chapel Of Love" and "Leader Of The Pack" and turns them into camp covers. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"..... WHAT??!! She takes this then forgotten hit and out -Andrews the fabulous Andrews Sisters. She sends tears rolling down your cheeks with her lament to the forgotten elderly..."Hello In There", and her "Friends" which became the official gay mans signature song, well..by the time you hear the reprise of that song as the closing tune on this album, you knew that you and Bette were going to be lifelong friends. This album was a sensation at that time in the way that maybe Brittney Spears debut album was to her generation, but if I have to explain the difference to you between Bette Midler and MS. Spears...well, I just can't do it! Having just repurchased this album on c.d., I am wallowing in sweet memories of youthful times past, and dear friends now gone. Miss Midler has come a long way since The Continental Baths to become one of the most famous and beloved artists of her generation, but she and everyone else have resigned themselves to her indelible identity as "The Divine Miss M", and thus she will remain... with this, her signature/best album. Miss M.: Even tho your then piano man Barry Manilow told me you were in the shower when I delivered your food from room service those many, many years ago, when I clearly saw your feet sticking out from the couch...and just as clearly heard you screach "Tell him I'm in the shower..!"...lol...and then on the elevator the next day, when I asked for your autograph and you said "I'm busy now" (you were clearly exhausted) I do now and will forever love you and, like so many, hold a special place in my heart for you, and I cherished that room service Kikkoman bottle you used for years until I broke down in the 80's and used it to embellish my ramen noodles during that poverty stricken winter...Oh Bette.....you are not only an amazing artist, but, yes...our "friend." x/o.

She is DIVINE !!
I've been a fan of Miss "M " and this CD showcases her great talent !She's quite a lady, so full of so much talent ,you can feel her heart and soul in her music. Whenever I need a pick-me- up, she hits the spot!Nanci

Bette's 1972 debut is simply.......DIVINE!!!!
This album of Bette Midler, The Divine Miss M, was released in 1972 and is one of her best albums ever. The album starts off with the smooth and intimate "Do You Want To Dance?" (which is one of my favorite songs of hers). The way she sang this song was so funny towards the climax of it, with her very audible exhale, which she does a few times until she raises her voice at the end. Wow!!! She does an excellent job on Hello In There, and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, which sounds almost like a 40s jazz arrangement, two versions of "Friends". The first version of this song starts off with the jumpy and uptempo piano beat, while the other version, which is the final song on the album, has more of a slower and different piano intro. I also love the front cover image of this album, a great illustration. When you look on the back of the CD booklet or the back cover on the LP, you can see a red tone picture of Bette, which looks almost exactly like the front cover drawing. Very neat!! I have this album on LP, tape and CD, and it is a great and truly "divine" album. For those of you who are big fans of Bette, make sure that this title is in your collection, and let Bette's "divine" voice enrich you! Kudos to Bette for her beautiful voice on this album!!

Simply Divine...Simply Miss M
Well kids, who knew the girl from Honolulu, the outsider, would record such a timeless collection of hits and standards. There is not one debut album that I can think of that is as incredible as Bette Midler's "The Divine Miss M." This is Bette at her best, singing torch songs such as "Am I Blue," or knocking your socks off with a rocker such as "Hustler," or just having some kitch-y fun with "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Friends." In March of 1999, I had the great fortune of meeting Miss Midler and having her sign my vinyl copy of this timeless record. As we were talking, I commented about how this was her best album and she was flattered that someone so young (I was 13 at the time) could appreciate such a classic album. Buy this incredible piece of work by an incredible artist! You won't be sorry! And just remember...
"You can like me the way I am or you can...KISS MY BRASS!"-a quote from the Divine Miss M's latest and greatest concert tour!