Bette Midler - Jackpot - The Best Bette ( Amazon Exclusive Bonus Track)

Amazon exclusive features one bonus track, 'One True Friend'. Spanning 1972 to the present, this best of collection has been remastered to sound better than ever. Product Description

They're not Rhino anymore, and they suck.

The label touted as Rhino Records has every right to use the name, but they ceased being that singular and wonderful company when absorbed by Warner Brothers. Ironically, Warner Brothers USED to be one of the most aware record labels in rock, pop, or whatever genre of music you'd care to name, but that also ceased with the acquisition of this fine label, and morphing it into Warner Strategic Marketing.

The new Bette Midler hits CD, "Jackpot - The Best Bette" does absolutely no service to the fans or to the general public. Trying to shoehorn 35 years of music into one CD is criminal enough - the glaring omissions only serve to point up the fact that a two-disc anthology was necessary, and should have been compiled. This CD presents a skewed view of a unique career, just as the first hits cd, "Experience the Divine" did. There are several singles missing from the CD, I applaud the inclusion of "In the Mood", but where are "Married Men", "Under the Boardwalk", "All I Need to Know", and the delightfully crazed "You're Moving Out Today"?? (I also would have liked the unedited version of the latter, which I have on a British vinyl LP). Then there are the missing fan favorites, such as "Hello In There", "Delta Dawn" (which, for the uninitiated, was almost a single until Helen Reddy recorded it, which forced Atlantic to go with a newly recorded "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"!!), "Twisted", and so many more which could have used the amazing new remastering. Never mind that I made my own compilation FIVE years ago, and they stole my name for it!!! (Not the Jackpot part). For these reasons, and because record companies are greedy b***ards who rarely give the consumer good value for the dollar (Think about it - you're STILL gonna have to buy SOMETHING ELSE to get that one or two songs this CD is missing!!), I give this comp ONE STAR and hope that a two disc comp is somewhere down the pike while I'm still breathing!!!! October 7, 2008

A Name I Did Not Know

This 20-track collection is the second "Best of Bette" collection & is a good overview of Bette's career. Early hits like "Do You Want to Dance?," "In the Mood," & her signature song "Friends" are balanced with newer recordings like "Cool Yule," which went to #1 on my personal top ten last Christmas. Always, fans will have favorites songs like "In These Shoes," "Shining Star" or "Mambo Italiano" that were not included. However, this volume is well-engineered. The booklet is informative. Several tracks from films are included like the Carole King-David Foster-Carole Bayer Sager tune "My One True Friend" & "Baby Mine" from "Beaches." The previously unreleased demo from 1984, "Something Your Heart Has Been Telling Me," is a delightful track co-penned by Bette, "Last night I heard you calling, I heard you calling out a name I did not know." Two tracks shine here in replay, the Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden" pops out of the speakers with some burning electric lead guitar; and the Temptations' #1 hit "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" shimmers delightfully. "Jackpot!" is an excellent overview from this consummate actress-singer. Bravo! October 6, 2008

BEST REMASTERING JOB I'VE EVER HEARD !!

I initially wasn't going to buy this CD due to the fact that I have most of these songs already, but I am so glad I did. Every song is impeccably remastered and sounds fantastic. Rhino is keeping up their good reputation. September 28, 2008

Truthfully Devine

When it comes down to classic singers and actresses, you today have a very rare combination of artists that really deliver from the heart. Now, you have artists like Ashanti and Jessica Simpson who are known for trying to have it both ways, but sadly, they fall completely flat from the heart, and weak on the voice. But, it is so hard to find that rare combination, the way classics like Bette Midler have always been known for. Since the 70's, Bette not only made a staple on her own, but with great acting abilities too, performing in movies like The Rose, Beaches, and appearing in Broadway in musicals and plays like Clams On The Half-Baked Shell in 1975, and as a extra in Fiddler On The Roof. But, for anyone who has not yet heard the true voice of The Divine Miss M, they now can with this album.

2008's Jackpot: The Best Bette is the latest Bette Midler greatest hits album, reflecting her near 35 year career of both as a soundtrack legend, but as a strong Pop vocalist. The single disc collection replaces Bette's well-dedicated 1993 classic hits collection, Experience The Divine, which sadly went out of print a few years ago. While the collection does bring in Bette's biggest songs which have been restored and remastered well, there are also a few surprises here that you really didn't expect. Some of them strong, but others not so divine. The album includes her biggest hits including The Rose, the classic 1987 anthem from Beaches Wind Beneath My Wings, her signature breakout hit Friends, as well as underrated hits like From A Distance, and This Ole House from her 2003 tribute to Rosemary Clooney album.

There are also a few new tracks here including a cover of The Temptations Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), and the unreleased Something You Heart Has Been Telling Me. Sadly though, I was honestly wishing that there could've been a few of Bette's overlooked moments from the 90's here, like her distinctive and moving performance of One For My Baby during her 1992 live performance on Johnny Carson's final episode from The Tonight Show, and her 90's overshadowed songs like To Deserve You and You Don't Own Me from her 1996 hit film, The First Wives Club with Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn. Also, I was also a bit shocked that her 2006 Christmas Song, Cool Yule was featured here, which is very rare a holiday Jingle has ever been on a greatest hits collection.

Still, it is sad that people now would rather be interested in those wannabe divas like Britney Spears and the selfish Paris Hilton, who really doesn't sing. To be honest with you, I'd rather her a diva that is heartfelt, funny and just a great example of giving back to others. Bette Midler is one of those examples, who I'm sometimes forgettful of how brilliant and deep her songs truly are. Nevertheless, Jackpot: The Best Bette, isn't a bad collection for anyone who has not yet even heard a Bette Midler song, but could've brought in more highlights from the Divine Miss M's legendary career.

Album Cover: B

Songs: C+

Price: B-

Remastering: B+

Overall: B- September 24, 2008

A missed opportunity but still good....

I agree with the other reviewer this is a lovely collection and there are many wonderful songs that feature on it but Bette has done so much in her career and it could have gone a little further to truly fly the flag as THE BEST BETTE.

The biggest glaring oversight for me is the DANCE MIX of Bette's massive US club hit TO DESERVE YOU. Why did they have to overlook this gem as anyone who comes across it usually is dead impressed. In fact Bette had a series of American hits on the club scene that could have easily been added to this CD which go further to show her diversity as a singer.

We love you Bette but Rhino/Warner you could have done better (this is coming from a guy who compiles collections for record labels as a living). September 24, 2008

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