Bette Midler

It's taken me 35 years to finally get to see Bette Midler live in concert, and now I understand why Midler is, to fans and critics alike, simply divine.

Last Saturday night — with an audience that boasted Sarah Jessica Parker, Polly Bergen, Christine Ebersole and Veanne Cox — I had the chance to catch Midler's current concert tour, the lavishly and smoothly staged Kiss My Brass at the Meadowlands' Continental Arena in New Jersey. Onstage, Midler — who has never looked or sounded better — is a thrilling mix of singer, comedienne and social commentator. The multi-talented performer made a grand entrance, descending from the heavens on a merry-go-round rocking horse. She proceeded to belt the hell out of "Kiss My Brass" before launching into "Big Noise from Winnetka" and "Stuff Like That There," the latter a tune from her 1991 WWII film "For the Boys." Midler was also ably supported by her three newly minted Harlettes, Broadway's big-voiced Kyra Da Costa, Kamilah Martin and Nicolette Hart.

I was utterly impressed by Midler's musicianship during her rendition of the Johnny Mercer-Hoagy Carmichael standard "Skylark." Midler played off the melody line at the song's beginning and then offered a beautiful take on the classic tune about searching for true love.

Midler also poked fun at her recent, much-in-the-news television sitcom "Bette" with a humorous video featuring the star in Judge Judy's court. That led to a tongue-in-cheek version of "I'm Sorry" followed by a medley of the sitcom's theme song and her crowd favorite "(Ya Gotta Have) Friends." Highlights of the first half also included terrific takes on two Rosemary Clooney signature pieces, "Come On-A My House" and "Tenderly" (both have thankfully been preserved on Midler's newest CD); the moving "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" from "Beaches"; a belty "When a Man Loves a Woman"; and the first-act finale, "Shiver Me Timbers."

The evening's second half began with a treat for Broadway fans. Returning to her familiar guise as mermaid/lounge singer Dolores DeLago, Midler offered a "Fishtails on Broadway" section featuring such theatre tunes as "Everything's Coming Up Roses" (well, actually, here it was "Everything's Coming Up Fishtails") as well as "Cabaret," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "All That Jazz" ("All That Shad"), "One," "Hello, Dolly!" ("Hello, Dolores!"), "Oklahoma!" and even Dreamgirls' "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."

The Grammy winner remembered the late Mr. Rodgers with a poignant "I Like To Be Told" before launching into a beautiful original song — "September" — that paid tribute to the events of September 11.

"This was a hit during the last Bush war," Midler quipped before singing a particularly touching and thought-provoking "From a Distance." "Do You Want to Dance" preceded the show's finale, a full-voiced, joyous "Wind Beneath My Wings."

Midler returned for two songs from her Oscar-nominated turn in "The Rose," "Keep On Rocking" and Amanda McBroom's title tune. The latter brought the sold-out crowd to its feet. The 48-city Kiss My Brass tour — which also features notable choreography by Toni Basil — ends this weekend in Atlantic City. There are rumors, however, that the elaborate production will return later in the year to more cities and possibly Radio City Music Hall. Bette fans around the world also have reason to rejoice, as there is also talk of Kiss My Brass playing Europe, Australia and Asia. And, should the tour head your way, don't miss your chance to see Midler live. There really is no one like her on the concert circuit today. A true force of nature.

FOR THE RECORD: Rebecca Luker's "Leaving Home"
For a little more than a decade, Rebecca Luker has thrilled Broadway audiences with her soaring soprano in such musicals as The Phantom of the Opera, The Secret Garden, Show Boat, The Sound of Music, The Music Man and, most recently, in the revival of Maury Yeston’s Nine, where she delivered a ravishing rendition of "Unusual Way." On her second solo recording, "Leaving Home," Luker explores her lower register more fully than ever before while also offering listeners plenty of that glorious soprano.

While her first solo album focused on the works of Broadway composer Cole Porter, Luker’s new ps Classics release finds the singer-actress turning her attention to pop and folk songs by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Janis Ian, Carly Simon and Billy Joel. She begins her 14-track disc with Joni Mitchell’s "River," and her wide-ranging voice is a perfect match for Mitchell’s song of longing. Luker also scores with Janis Ian’s aching "Getting Over You" and has fun with another Joni Mitchell classic, "Chelsea Morning." Other highlights include Carly Simon’s "Boys in the Trees," Billy Joel’s "You’re My Home" and a duet with Alison Fraser on "Wick." Luker and Fraser’s voices blend beautifully on this tune from The Secret Garden.

Dedicated to the memory of the late composer Rusty Magee , Luker also offers a stirring version of Magee’s song of loss, "Coming Apart." The complete track listing for "Leaving Home" follows:
"River" (by Joni Mitchell)
"Getting Over You" (Janis Ian)
"Chelsea Morning" (Joni Mitchell)
"Boys in the Trees" (Carly Simon)
"Cherish the Child" (Christopher McGovern and Amy Powers, cut from their musical, Lizzie Borden)
"You're My Home" (Billy Joel)
"Ophelia" (Amanda McBroom, from the musical, Will's Women)
"Old Dog Tray" (Stephen Foster)
"Fine" (Bill Whitefield and Bill Castellino, from the musical, Crash Club)
"Morningtimes" (Christopher McGovern)
"Wick" (Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, from the musical, The Secret Garden, with special guest Alison Fraser)
"Coming Apart" (Rusty Magee)
"Four Green Fields" (Thomas Makem)
"She's Leaving Home" (John Lennon and Paul McCartney)

 Continued...