A Gift of Love by Bette Midler - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

2008's Rhino-issued Jackpot: The Best Bette was the Grammy-winning vocalist and Emmy-winning actress' first career-spanning compilation since 1993, and it served as an excellent window into her often eclectic career, touching on nearly all of her stylistic forays. 2015's Gift of Love is a more myopic take on the greatest-hits package, offering up an amorous 18-track set devoted entirely to Midler's love for balladry. As the humble love song has served as the legendary diva's bread and butter since the '70s, it should hardly come as a surprise that Gift of Love is well stocked with hits. Any proper Midler collection would be incomplete without the holy trinity of last-call karaoke balladry that is "The Rose," "Wind Beneath My Wings," and "From a Distance," and Gift of Love doesn't disappoint, delivering those modern standards early on in the proceedings. It also serves up some less ubiquitous gems, like her spirited 1983 cover of Marshall Crenshaw's "My Favorite Waste of Time" and her sultry, jazzy rendering of the Marvelettes' Smoky Robinson-penned "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game." For the most part, Gift of Love sticks with the benchmarks, with the aforementioned triple threat, "Every Road Leads Back to You" (from For the Boys), and 1995's "It's Too Late" and "As Dreams Go By," the latter two of which appeared on the platinum-selling Bette of Roses leading the charge. Fans looking for a more diversified retrospective should probably check out Jackpot (also a Rhino release), but as the perfect soundtrack for a campy romantic evening or a boozy post-breakup meltdown, one would be hard-pressed to find anything better.

1. Favorite Waste of Time (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Assistant Engineer: Steve Brix
Dave Pearce
Greg Anderson
Julian Stoll
Dave Denmore; Production
Background Vocals: Philip Kennard
Lisa Garber
Laura Allan; Performer
Drums: David Logerman; Performer
Electric Guitar: Brock Walsh
Waddy Wachtel
Phillip Kennard; Performer
Guitar: Mark Goldenberg
Dave Demare
Mark Goldberg; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Percussion: David Logerman; Performer
Synthesizer: Robert Irving; Performer
Composer: Marshall Crenshaw; Composer
Associate Producer: Bonnie Bruckheimer
Brock Walsh; Production
Executive Producer: Danny Goldberg; Production
Mixing Engineer: Don Smith; Production
Producer: Chuck Plotkin
Debbie Gold; Production
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Recording: Don Smith; Production

2. In This Life (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Drums: Joe Mardin; Performer
Additional Engineer: Jack Joseph Puig; Other
Keyboard: Robbie Kondor; Performer
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Arranger: Arif Mardin
Robbie Kondor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Marnie Riley
Jay Militscher
Luis Quine
Andy Grassi; Production
Associate Producer: Buzzy Feiten
Buzz Feiten; Production
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Synthesizer: Robbie Kondor; Performer
Composer: Allen Shambin
Mike Reid; Composer
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Engineer: Michael O'reilly; Production
Mastering Engineer: George Marino; Production
Producer: Arif Mardin
Buzzy Feiten; Production
Programmer: Robbie Kondor; Production
Remix Engineer: Michael O'reilly; Production

3. The Gift of Love (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Background Vocals: Tom Kelly
Maria Vidal; Performer
Bass Guitar: Neil Stubenhaus; Performer
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Guitar: Andrew Gold
Dean Parks; Performer
Keyboard: Robbie Buchanan; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Arranger: Robbie Buchanan
Arif Mardin; Composer
Associate Producer: Marc Shaiman; Production
Mixing Engineer: Jack Joseph Puig; Production
Producer: Arif Mardin; Production
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Programmer: Robbie Buchanan; Production
Bass Guitar: Neil Stubenhaus; Performer
Synthesizer: Michael Boddicker; Performer
Composer: Billy Steinberg
Tom Kelly
Suzanna Hoffs; Composer
Vocal Arrangement: Tom Kelly; Composer
Recording: Jack Joseph Puig; Production
Additional Arrangement By: Tom Kelly; Other

4. Bed of Roses (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Additional Engineer: Jack Joseph Puig; Other
Background Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Drum Programming: Steve Skinner; Performer
Drums: James A Johnson
Tony Beard; Performer
Guitar: Michael O'reilly
Dean Parks
Jay Dee Maness; Performer
Keyboard: Steve Skinner; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Arranger: Arif Mardin
Steve Skinner; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Jay Militscher
Marnie Riley
Luis Quine
Andy Grassi; Production
Associate Producer: Buzzy Feiten
Buzz Feiten; Production
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa; Performer
Mastering Engineer: George Marino; Production
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Producer: Arif Mardin
Buzzy Feiten; Production
Steel Guitar: Jay Dee Maness; Performer
Synthesizer: Steve Skinner; Performer
Composer: Bonnie M. Hayes
Bonnie Hayes; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Daniel Jacob; Composer
Remix Engineer: Michael O'reilly; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Bette Midler
Daniel Jacob; Other

5. From a Distance (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Background Vocals: Eugene Van Buren
Charlotte Crossley
Joann Harris
Radio Choir Of New Hope Baptist Church
Myrna Smith
David Lasley
Cissy Houston
John West
Radio Choir/new Baptist Church; Performer
Bass Guitar: Neil Stubenhaus; Performer
Drums: Carlos Vega; Performer
Guitar: Michael Landau; Performer
Keyboard: Robbie Buchanan; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Arranger: Arif Mardin
Steve Skinner; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Jack Joseph Puig; Production
Producer: Arif Mardin; Production
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Neil Stubenhaus; Performer
Composer: Julie Gold; Composer
Vocal Arrangement: Marc Shaiman; Composer
Recording: Jack Joseph Puig; Production
N. J.: Radio Choir/new Baptist Church; Other
Newark: Radio Choir/new Baptist Church; Other

6. Wind Beneath My Wings (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Larry Henley
Jeff Silbar; Composer
Executive Producer: Teri Schwartz; Production
Mastering Engineer: Doug Stax; Production
Producer: Arif Mardin; Production
Recording: Jack Joseph Puig
Joey Wolpert; Production

7. Come Rain or Come Shine (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Arnold Mcculler
Randy Crenshaw
David Lasley
John West
Lorraine Feather
Kevin Dorsey
Carmen Twillie
Don Shelton
Eugene Van Buren
Joann Harris
Jon Joyce
Morganames; Performer
Keyboard: Dave Grusin
Robbie Buchanan
Marc Shaiman
Mike Lang
Randy Kerber; Performer
Synthesizer: Joe Mardin
Claude Gaudette; Performer
Trumpet: Jack Sheldon; Performer
Vocals: James Caan
Bette Midler; Performer
Arranger: Marc Shaiman
Arif Mardin; Composer
Composer: Harold Arlen
Johnny Mercer; Composer
Mixing Engineer: Michael O'reilly
Don Murray; Production
Producer: Arif Mardin; Production
Production Coordination: Lisa Maldonado; Production
Recording: Jack Joseph Puig
Don Murray
Michael O'reilly
Joey Wolpert
Bob Schaper; Production

8. The Rose (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Background Vocals: Norton Buffalo
Donny Gerrard
Amanda Mcbroom
Bill Champlin; Performer
Arranger: Paul A. Rothchild; Composer
Associate Producer: Bill Gazecki; Production
Bass Guitar: Mark Leonard; Performer
Bass Guitar: Mark Leonard; Performer
Drums: Whitey Glan; Performer
Guitar: Steve Hunter
Danny Weis
Danny Weiss; Performer
Keyboard: Robbie Buchanan; Performer
Engineer: Roger Mayer
Bill Gazecki
Stuart Taylor
Bob Leonard
Ed Lever
John Neal; Production
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Producer: Paul A. Rothchild; Production
Piano: Lincoln Mayorga; Performer
Saxophone: Jerry Jumonville; Performer
Trombone: Norton Buffalo; Performer
Trumpet: Mark Underwood; Performer
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Amanda Mcbroom; Composer
Remix Engineer: Paul A. Rothchild
Bill Gazecki; Production

9. As Dreams Go By (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Background Vocals: Lani Groves
Rachele Cappelli
Angela Cappelli
Joe Mardin
Jerry Barnes
Ula Hedwig; Performer
Bass Guitar: Reggie Hamilton; Performer
Bass Guitar: Reggie Hamilton; Performer
Arranger: Buzzy Feiten
Bobby Lyle
Arif Mardin
Steve Skinner
Daniel Jacob
Larry J. Cohen
A. Mardin
L. Cohen
B. Lyle
D. Jacobs
S. Skinner
B. Feiten; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Luis Quine
Marnie Riley
Andy Grassi
Jay Militscher; Production
Associate Producer: Buzzy Feiten
Buzz Feiten; Production
Additional Engineer: Jack Joseph Puig; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Buzzy Feiten
Buzz Feiten; Other
Drums: Mike Baird; Performer
Guitar: Daniel Jacob
Buzzy Feiten
Buzz Feiten; Performer
Keyboard: Larry J. Cohen
Steve Skinner; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Piano: Bobby Lyle; Performer
Synthesizer: Steve Skinner
Larry J. Cohen; Performer
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Composer: Peter Sinfield
Andy Hill; Composer
Mastering Engineer: George Marino; Production
Producer: Arif Mardin
Buzzy Feiten; Production
Recording: Jack Joseph Puig; Production
Remix Engineer: Michael O'reilly; Production

10. It's Too Late (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Bass Guitar: Jerry Barnes; Performer
Keyboard: Robbie Kondor; Performer
Lead Guitar: Buzzy Feiten; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Arranger: Robbie Kondor; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Luis Quine
Marnie Riley
Jay Militscher
Andy Grassi; Production
Associate Producer: Buzzy Feiten
Buzz Feiten; Production
Additional Engineer: Jack Joseph Puig
Jay Militscher
Andy Grassi; Other
Engineer: Michael O'reilly; Production
Mastering Engineer: George Marino; Production
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Producer: Arif Mardin
Buzzy Feiten; Production
Bass Guitar: Jerry Barnes; Performer
Guitar: Buzz Feiten; Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Buzzy Feiten; Performer
Synthesizer: Robbie Kondor; Performer
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Bob Thiele Jr.
Tonio K
Bonnie Hayes; Composer
Remix Engineer: Michael O'reilly; Production

11. All I Need to Know (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Background Vocals: Janis Cercone
Lisa Garber
Laura Allan; Performer
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Associate Producer: Bonnie Bruckheimer
Brock Walsh; Production
Mixing Engineer: Don Smith; Production
Bass Guitar: Pops Popswell; Performer
Bass Guitar: Pops Popswell; Performer
Assistant Engineer: Dave Pearce
Greg Anderson
Julian Stoll
Dave Denmore
Steve Brix; Production
Drums: Ricky Lawson; Performer
Guitar: Mark Goldenberg
Buzzy Feiten
Mark Goldberg; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Piano: Bobby Lyle; Performer
Synthesizer: Mark Goldenberg
Bobby Martin
Mark Goldberg; Performer
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Barry Mann
Cynthia Weil
Tom Snow; Composer
Executive Producer: Danny Goldberg; Production
Producer: Chuck Plotkin
Debbie Gold; Production
Recording: Don Smith; Production

12. Every Road Leads Back to You (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Eugene Van Buren
Randy Crenshaw
Carmen Twillie
Kevin Dorsey
Lorraine Feather
John West
David Lasley
Don Shelton
Morganames
Jon Joyce
Joann Harris
Arnold Mcculler; Performer
Assistant Conductor: Artie Kane; Conductor
Mixing Engineer: Michael O'reilly
Don Murray; Production
Production Coordination: Lisa Maldonado; Production
Bass Guitar: Chuck Domanico
Chuck Berghofer; Performer
Bass Guitar: Chuck Domanico
Chuck Berghofer; Performer
Producer: Arif Mardin
Joey Sill; Production
Arranger: Joe Mardin; Composer
Drums: Frank Capp
Vinny Colaiuta
Harvey Mason
Alvin Stoller
Jeff Porcaro; Performer
Keyboard: Dave Grusin
Robbie Buchanan
Randy Kerber
Mike Lang
Marc Shaiman; Performer
Synthesizer: Joe Mardin
Claude Gaudette; Performer
Trumpet: Jack Sheldon; Performer
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Diane Warren; Composer
Recording: Michael O'reilly
Bob Schaper
Jack Joseph Puig
Joey Wolpert
Don Murray; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Harvey Mason
Jeff Porcaro
Frank Capp
Artie Kane
Alvin Stoller; Other

13. Shining Star (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Background Vocals: Carlos Cuevas
Donna De Lory
David Lasley
Arnold Mcculler
Nikki Harris
Cynthia Bass
Howard Mccrary
Melanie Taylor
Maria Vidal; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Gary Herbig; Performer
Arranger: Marc Shaiman
Jimmy Vivino; Composer
Production Coordination: Shari Sutcliffe; Production
Bass: Reggie Hamilton
Abraham Laboriel; Performer
Additional Producer: Marc Shaiman
Rick Knowles; Other
Bass Guitar: Abraham Laboriel
Reggie Hamilton; Performer
Drums: Sonny Emory; Performer
Guitar: Tim Pierce
Dwight Sills
Mike Miller
Paul Jackson Jr.
Dean Parks
Mark Goldenberg; Performer
Hammond Organ: Bobby Lyle; Performer
Keyboard: Rick Knowles
Marc Shaiman
Larry Cohn
Jamie Muhoberac; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Engineer: Ed Cherney; Production
Mastering Engineer: Doug Sax; Production
Mixing Engineer: Ed Cherney; Production
Percussion: Lenny Castro; Performer
Piano: Bobby Lyle
Larry Cohn; Performer
Rhodes Piano: Bobby Lyle; Performer
Programmer: Charles Judge; Production
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Dan Higgins
Plas Johnson
Jerry Vivino
Wayne Rodrigues
Joe Sublett; Performer
Trumpet: Darrell Leonard
Jerry Hey
Gary Grant
Mark Isham; Performer
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Paul Richmond
Leo Graham Jr.; Composer
Mastering: Doug Sax; Production
Producer: Don Was; Production
Recording: Ed Cherney; Production

14. To Deserve You (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Additional Engineer: Jack Joseph Puig; Other
Background Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Bass Guitar: Reggie Hamilton; Performer
Drum Programming: Steve Skinner; Performer
Drums: Joe Mardin; Performer
Guitar: Daniel Jacob
Buzz Feiten; Performer
Keyboard: Steve Skinner; Performer
Lead Guitar: Buzzy Feiten; Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Oboe: Shelley A. Woodworth; Performer
Arranger: Arif Mardin
Steve Skinner; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Luis Quine
Andy Grassi
Jay Militscher
Marnie Riley; Production
Associate Producer: Buzzy Feiten
Buzz Feiten; Production
Piano: Bobby Lyle; Performer
Mastering Engineer: George Marino; Production
Bass Guitar: Reggie Hamilton; Performer
Producer: Arif Mardin
Buzzy Feiten; Production
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Rhythm Guitar: Buzzy Feiten; Performer
Synthesizer: Steve Skinner; Performer
Trumpet: Chris Botti; Performer
Composer: Maria Mckee; Composer
Recording: Michael O'reilly; Production
Remix Engineer: Michael O'reilly; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Bette Midler; Other

15. Night and Day (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Keyboard: Joe Mardin; Performer
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Vocals: Joe Mardin
Bette Midler; Performer
Arranger: Arif Mardin
Joe Mardin
Billie Hughes; Composer
Composer: Roxanne Seeman
Billie Hughes; Composer
Associate Producer: Arif Mardin; Production
Mixing Engineer: Jack Joseph Puig; Production
Producer: Marc Shaiman; Production
Programmer: Joe Mardin; Production
Recording: Jack Joseph Puig; Production

16. (Talk to Me Of) Mendocino

by Bette Midler

Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Kate Mcgarrigle; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ghazi Hourani
Marcus Johnson
Rob Cohen
Billy Hickey
Chandler Harrod
Jake Gorski
Matthew Brownlie; Production
Mastering: Doug Sax
Jett Galindo; Production
Mastering Engineer: Doug Sax
Jett Galindo; Production
Producer: Marc Shaiman
Scott M. Riesett; Production
Recording: Frank Wolf
Ed Cherney
Scott M. Riesett; Production
Additional Recording: Frank Wolf
Scott M. Riesett; Other

17. The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game

by Bette Midler

Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Smoket Robinson
W. Robinson; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Ghazi Hourani
Marcus Johnson
Rob Cohen
Billy Hickey
Chandler Harrod
Jake Gorski
Matthew Brownlie; Production
Mastering: Doug Sax
Jett Galindo; Production
Mastering Engineer: Doug Sax
Jett Galindo; Production
Producer: Marc Shaiman
Scott M. Riesett; Production
Recording: Frank Wolf
Ed Cherney
Scott M. Riesett; Production
Additional Recording: Frank Wolf
Scott M. Riesett; Other

18. Let Me Just Follow Behind (2015 Remaster)

by Bette Midler

Background Vocals: Tod Rundgren; Performer
Arranger: Moogy Klingman; Composer
Bass Guitar: John Siegler; Performer
Bass Guitar: John Siegler; Performer
Drums: John Wilcox; Performer
Guitar: David Spinozza; Performer
Harmonium: Ralph Schuckett; Performer
Engineer: Jack Malken
Jan Rathbun; Production
Unknown Contributor Role: Moogy Klingman; Other
Lead Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Producer: Moogy Klingman; Production
Primary Artist: Bette Midler; Main Performer
Soloist: Randy Brecker; Main Performer
Organ: Ralph Schuckett; Performer
Pedal Steel Guitar: Rick Derringer; Performer
Piano: Moogy Klingman
Ralph Schuckett; Performer
Vocals: Bette Midler; Performer
Composer: Moogy Klingman
Jerry Blatt; Composer

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

18 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 15 minutes and 28 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1425x1425 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

Studio Quality (Hi-Res)

24bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Hi-Res/Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

17/18 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

No synced lyrics found

Genres

Pop/Rock, Vocal, Vocal-Pop

Label

Rhino Atlantic

Music Distribution Service

WMG Mora

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 3, 2015

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

603497881192