Track Listing
1. Make Yourself Comfortable
2. You Don't Know Me
3. Say Goodbye to Hollywood
4. I Never Talk to Strangers
5. Storybook Children
6. Red
7. Empty Bed Blues
8. Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes, A
9. Paradise
10. Yellow Beach Umbrella
11. Vie en Rose, La
| Details | | Contributing Artists: | Tom Waits | | Producer: | Bones Howe, Brooks Arthur | | Distributor: | WEA (Distributor) | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
Personnel includes: Bette Midler (vocals); Howard Roberts (guitar, ukelele); Lee Ritneour, Thom Rotella, Ira Newborn (guitar); Frank Vicari (tenor saxophone); Jim Horn (baritone saxophone); Marshall Royal (saxophone); Bobby Shaw (trumpet); Tom Waits (piano); Don Randi (organ); Craig Doerge, Artie Butler (keyboards); Steve Porcaro (synthesizers); Leland Sklar, Chuck Rainey, Jim Hughart, David Hungate (bass); Jim Keltner, Shelly Manne (drums); Alan Estes (percussion); Ellie Greenwich, Brenda Russell, Clydie King (background vocals).
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Personnel: Bette Midler (vocals, background vocals); Lee Ritenour , Fred Tackett (guitar, electric guitar); Howard Roberts (guitar, ukulele); Ira Newborn, Thom Rotella (guitar); David T. Walker (electric guitar); Jimmie Haskell (strings, horns); Don Menza, Steve Douglas , Marshall Royal, Plas Johnson (saxophone); Frank Vicari (tenor saxophone); Jim Horn (baritone saxophone); Don Rader, Bobby Shaw, Gene Goe (trumpet); Craig Doerge, Artie Butler (piano, keyboards); John Barnes , Tom Waits (piano); Don Randi (organ, keyboards); Mike Melvoin (keyboards); Steve Porcaro (synthesizer); Chuck Rainey, David Hungate, Jerry Scheff, Jim Hughart, Leland Sklar, Max Bennett (bass guitar); Jim Keltner, Russ Kunkel, Shelly Manne (drums); Alan Estes (congas, percussion); Jack Jennings, Bill Watrous, Lew McCreary (percussion); Chuck Higgins, Clydie King, Donny Gerrard, Ellie Greenwich, D. David Latman, Dianne Brooks, Brian Russell, Mike Harris , Brenda Russell (background vocals).
Audio Remasterer: Stephen Innocenzi.
Recording information: Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Studio 55, Los Angeles, CA.
Unknown Contributor Role: Bill Watrous.
Arrangers: Ira Newborn; Bobby Rozario; Jimmie Haskell; Mike Melvoin; Artie Butler; Bob Alcivar.
After a string of over the top '70s albums with high-energy tunes that made Bette Midler a sensation worldwide, she settled down on Broken Blossom. The first song, "Make Yourself Comfortable," sets the pace with a relaxed doo wop style that's hard to resist. There are some remakes on Broken Blossom including a version of Billy Joel's "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" with about twice as much pizzazz as the original; the surprising choice of "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," from Disney's Cinderella; and "You Don't Know Me," which was previously sung by Elvis Presley, Rick Nelson, Van Morrison, and Ray Charles, and still sounds great. Broken Blossom seems to be a mixed message from Midler, whom listeners love for being so uncontrolled but she has toned down on antics. Broken Blossom served as a bridge between Midler's solely musical days and her career as actress. Shortly after its release, she performed in her classic live film Divine Madness and then was nominated for an Academy Award for The Rose. Broken Blossom is quirky, though not as spontaneous as we have come to expect. We are used to an outrageous choice in songs sung by an outrageous personality. If one can accept simply melodic songs sung by that same personality, then Broken Blossom is a fine listen. ~ Peter Fawthrop
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