Perhaps because she is an accomplished actress as well, Midler’s emotions always ring true. Though her talent hasn’t wavered in the years since this debut, few of the collections that followed have been as consistent, revealing, or of such high quality. -- Bryan Buss/AMG 4.5/5 Stars -- The Divine Miss M is the debut album by American female vocalist Bette Midler, released in 1972 on the Atlantic Records label. The title of the album refers to Midler’s famous stage persona. The Divine Miss M album, co-produced by Barry Manilow, includes several songs that since have become repertoire standards, such as “Do You Want To Dance”, “Chapel of Love”, “Hello In There”, “Friends” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. The Divine Miss M reached #9 on the U.S. albums chart and was later awarded a Platinum Disc by the RIAA. In 1973 the album won Midler a Grammy for Best Newcomer. “Do You Want To Dance,” “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Friends” were all Top 40 hit singles from the album, with “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” climbing to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. Personnel Bette Midler – lead vocals Cissy Houston – backing vocals, track: A1 Tender Loving Care (Renelle Broxton, Diedre Tuck, Beverly McKenzie) – backing vocals, track: A1 Gail Kantor – backing vocals, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6 Melissa Manchester – backing vocals, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6 Merle Miller – backing vocals, tracks: A2 to A4, B3, B4, B6