The Rose [Original Soundtrack]

( 5 )

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Joe Viglione
Paul A. Rothchild produced the final Janis Joplin studio album, Pearl, as well as many a Doors disc, and the late producer was the perfect guy to tackle this tribute to Joplin featuring "The Divine Miss M" as "Pearl"/"The Rose." In March of 1980, the version of "When a Man Loves a Woman" from this 1979 film soundtrack went Top 35, and Midler's biggest hit followed her Oscar nomination, but it was a well-produced version of the title track, different from the album, which went Top Three, the gold single the biggest of her six hits up to this point in time. It's a strange twist of events, Bette's previous 1979 album, Thighs and Whispers, has technically better sounds, Arif ...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Joe Viglione
Paul A. Rothchild produced the final Janis Joplin studio album, Pearl, as well as many a Doors disc, and the late producer was the perfect guy to tackle this tribute to Joplin featuring "The Divine Miss M" as "Pearl"/"The Rose." In March of 1980, the version of "When a Man Loves a Woman" from this 1979 film soundtrack went Top 35, and Midler's biggest hit followed her Oscar nomination, but it was a well-produced version of the title track, different from the album, which went Top Three, the gold single the biggest of her six hits up to this point in time. It's a strange twist of events, Bette's previous 1979 album, Thighs and Whispers, has technically better sounds, Arif Mardin drenching it in the disco of the day, but that artificial episode pales next to this project, which features Lou Reed's "Rock 'n' Roll Animal" bandmates guitarist Steve Hunter and drummer Whitey Glan. The concerts were recorded live during June and July of 1978, and there's more than a touch of the Mitch Ryder sound on "Whose Side Are You On," the album opener. Hunter was in the Mitch Ryder band Detroit, which led up to Lou Reed's ensemble, so the level of authenticity goes far beyond what filmmakers put into, say, the Blues Brothers. They utilize a different set of musicians on "Love Me With a Feeling," the "Turtle Blues" of this story, vaguely referencing the original title to the Big Brother & the Holding Company album that tune came from with the "sex, drugs and rock & roll" chant. Bette Midler is a star perpetually evolving into icon, and this album's success, as well as the two hit singles it spawned, certainly helped the film, as much as the movie brought Midler to a new level of fame. Her voice is terrific on "Midnight in Memphis," and the material is extraordinary for many reasons. Midler gets to show what a tremendous blues singer she can be, drawing from the many elements she's secured from years on the stage. It's a pivotal moment in her career. The rendition of Genya Ravan's chestnut, "Stay With Me," penned by one of Joplin's favorite songwriters, producer Jerry Ragovoy, could have been the showstopper album track here. It isn't. The listener has to know the film in order to understand why the singer's voice is purposely falling apart. The strange twists of fate mentioned earlier appear again here -- the soundtrack to the Janis Joplin biography film contained studio versions of great live performances that are in the film; as Midler cut a different version of the title track,which became a number one adult contemporary hit and Top Three on the popular charts, "Stay With Me" also should have been re-recorded. Had Midler released a version of that tune with the same desperation and passions of "When a Man Loves a Woman," this LP might have had that so necessary third hit to catapult it into the record books. One of the best moments in the film is missing from this "soundtrack," the questionable move of leaving Bob Seger's "Fire Down Below" off of this disc. It's one of the most memorable moments in the film, tailor-made for MTV. Three years after this release, Bette Midler put another soundtrack out, Bette Midler in Divine Madness. The last two songs which end side two are actually "Fire Down Below" and "Stay With Me," and though Bette can't touch Genya Ravan's classic performance, this is still how the music should have been presented on The Rose soundtrack LP. It's hard to get too down on this record, though; it has the magic, it established Bette Midler to the larger audience she deserved, it brought Paul Rothchild the follow-up to Pearl he was cheated of by Joplin's death, and it rocks. The bluesy feel was a complete about face from the previous Thighs and Whispers, and, actually, it is truly Bette Midler's only real rock & roll album. That it did so much for her might suggest she try it again.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 12/8/2009
  • Label: Rhino Flashback
  • UPC: 081227982089
  • Catalog Number: 82778
  • Sales rank: 7,051

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Bette Midler Primary Artist, Vocals
Lincoln Mayorga Piano
Amanda McBroom Vocal Harmony
Norton Buffalo Harmonica, Trombone, Vocal Harmony
Bill Champlin Vocal Harmony
Steve Hunter Guitar
Jon Sholle Electric Guitar
Robbie Buchanan Keyboards
Scott Chambers Bass
Bill Elliott Piano
Donny Gerrard Vocal Harmony
Jerry Jumonville Saxophone
Mark Leonard Bass
Greg Prestopino Acoustic Guitar
Harry Stinson Drums
Mark Underwood Trumpet
Danny Weis Guitar
Whitey Glan Drums
Technical Credits
Amanda McBroom Composer
Jean-Luc Ponty Composer
Bobby Byrd Composer
Mark DeBarge Composer
Bob Leonard Engineer
John Neal Engineer
Paul Rothchild Arranger, Producer, Remixing
Stuart Taylor Engineer
Andrew Wright Composer
Roger Mayer Engineer
Bill Gazecki Engineer, Remixing
Stephen Innocenzi Remastering
Ed Lever Engineer
Calvin Lewis Composer
Leo Friedman Composer
Beth Slater Whitson Composer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 5 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(4)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

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1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Good Rock and Roll Album

    A good rock and roll album that takes me back to my youth. Midnight in Memphis is one of my favorite songs. This album will put a smile on your face, especially if you've seen the movie.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Broken Blossom
    Beaches [Original Soundtrack]

    The Best of them All.

    I have listen to this album (tape & cd) for the last 23 years, it still gets to my heart and soul. "The Rose" says so much, if you listen.
    It has got to be her best of all. The album is very good if you get a chance to get it.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Question about The Rose

    I LOVED the song but have not heard the complete album. There is another version of The Rose that I would like to know the title of - will ask in related titles.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Lyrics of The Rose

    Please tell me who is the writer of The Rose. Appreciate if reply soon. Thanks.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 20, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews