On November 7, 1972, “Atlantic” label released “The Divine Miss M”, the debut Bette Midler studio album. It was recorded 1971 – 1972, at “Atlantic Recording Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Ahmet Ertegun, Barry Manilow. Geoffrey Haslam and Joel Dorn. The album was certified Platinum in US and Canada.
Personnel:
- Bette Midler – lead vocals
- Dickie Frank – guitar
- David Spinozza – guitars
- Don Arnone – guitar
- Dick Hyman – piano
- Barry Manilow – piano
- Pat Rebillot – piano
- Ron Carter – bass guitar
- Michael Federal – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Milt Hinton – bass
- Ted Sommer – drums
- Ray Lucas – drums
- Kevin Ellman – drums
- Ralph MacDonald – percussion instruments
- Cissy Houston – backing vocals
- Tender Loving Care (Renelle Broxton, Diedre Tuck, Beverly McKenzie) – backing vocals
- Gail Kantor – backing vocals
- Melissa Manchester – backing vocals
- Merle Miller – backing vocals
- Gene Orloff – violin
- Emanuel Green – violin
- Selwart Clarke – viola
- Kermit Moore – cello
- Thom Bell – horn and string arrangements
- Barry Manilow – arranger, conductor
- William S. Fischer – string arrangement
- Marty Nelson – vocal arranger
- Arif Mardin – arrangements
- Lew Hahn – engineer
- Richard Amsel – illustration
- Richard Mantel – art direction, design
- Kenn Duncan – photography
- Geoffrey Haslam, Lew Hahn, Bob Liftin – remix
Track listing:
- Do You Want to Dance – Bobby Freeman
- Chapel of Love – Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector
- Superstar – Bonnie Bramlett, Leon Russell
- Daytime Hustler – Jeff Kent
- Am I Blue – Harry Akst, Grant Clarke
- Friends (Session 1) – Mark Klingman, Buzzy Linhart
- Hello in There – John Prine
- Leader of the Pack – George Morton, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich
- Delta Dawn – Larry Collins, Alex Harvey
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – Don Raye, Hughie Prince
- Friends (Session 2) – Mark Klingman, Buzzy Linhart