Bette Midler - Cool Yule

She smiles, she sizzles, she coos, she swings. So goes the lively and completely charming Christmas record by the cheeky Divine one. There's never a note out of place, a chart too excessive, or the sentiments too sentimental. Plus Midler's tasty stable of producers and arrangers have packed the big band and stringed arrangements with their own musical warmth against Midler's smart song choices and contagious vocal performances. Cool Yule mixes the standard traditional pop pieces--like Steve Allen's snappy title track, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "I'll Be Home for Christmas"--with the sole hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emanuel." But nobody's picking up this stocking stuffer because they want to go to church. Bette's got merrymaking on her mind more than anything else. Her duet with Johnny Mathis on "Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" is as much fun as her "From a Distance (Christmas Version)" is a somber and sobering antiwar statement. How she can move from sounding girlish and playful to sophisticated and jazz-smart in the space of one note to the next may not be supernaturally inspired, but it sure is fun to hear the joyful sounds she makes. From her lips to your ears, you gotta love it. --Martin Keller Amazon.com

Still the best!

Halloween is barely over, I am listening to Christmas music already. I heard this cd back last year. Nice collection of music genres in this christmas cd. Enjoyable to the ear. Tis the season to be relaxing, not getting freaked over shopping. November 1, 2008

One of my Holiday Favorites!!

The Divine Miss M has created yet another stunning piece of work! You hear all the wonderful colors of her voice in this album. From the jazzy Cool Yule to the somber O Come Emmanuel. This is definitely one of my favorite Christmas albums! September 23, 2008

BETTE I love YOU!

She is a true entertainer, very few of them around these days. She has a wonderful voice and energy about her and does so many great Christmas/holiday tunes to enjoy and it always in my mox at Christmas time. April 1, 2008

Bette Does it Again!

Once again Bette Midler manages to record an album that is fun and merry, which couldn't be better for a Christmas album. It is always nice to hear new Christmas songs: "Merry Christmas", "Cool Yule", "Mele Kalikimaka"; all of which are fantastic in their own right. I especially liked the "Mele Kalikimaka" which has a Hawaiian theme (Bette's place of birth), and "Cool Yule" is simply catchy and upbeat which adds to the seasons cheer.
Of course old standards with Bette's vocals always sound good: "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (excellent duet with the incomparable Johnny Mathis), "I'll Be Home For Christmas" (sounds forlorn enough to make you cuddle up by yourself and still feel good about it), "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" (typical Bette and sung in a style that no one can duplicate), "O Come, O Come Emmanual", "From A Distance" (nice reworking of an old song; sounds new again), "White Christmas" (a nice way to end the album, very touching and Christmas like).
I enjoyed this album immensely and would recommend this to anyone who loves Bette Midler, and for those who are looking to buy new Christmas themed albums. January 23, 2008

Bette Makes The Christmas Album Fun Again

Bette Midler released her first Christmas album. Thank goodness! This album is a rockin', fun album with a sense of joy that is missing from a lot of Christmas albums by contemporary artists. This is one of my favorite Christmas albums already, and I've only had it for one season. I highly recommend it. January 12, 2008

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