CD Release Dates

- USA release date: 10th October, 2006
- UK release date: 28th October, 2006

Inside the album cover...

Los Angeles, CA Oh, the weather outside is... well, about 105 degrees in the shade. Not exactly the frigid clime to tempt Donner, Dancer and Blitzen down from the ol' North Pole, but toasty enough for roasting marshmallows with the finest musicians gathered in Capitol's legendary Studio "A" - here to create a little yuletide cheer with Bette Midler. On this perfect stocking stuffer, our holly jolly bunch has unwrapped their most tuneful rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums to accompany The Divine Miss M on her first holiday album.

Of course, the "M" stands for Midler, but also for Merry, "Make the yuletide gay", Mele Kalikimaka, Mathis, marzipan and memories. All ingredients which Bette and her industrious team of merry making elves have concocted into a tasty eggnog.

As her faithful friends have come to expect, every new Bette album is a joyously eclectic affair and her "Cool Yule" splendidly continues the tradition. Bette is in fine-feathered voice as she lends her warmth and wisdom to such evergreens as "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "White Christmas", "Winter Wonderland" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" These chestnuts crackle and pop next to the hep-cat cheer of "Cool Yule", the reverent rendering of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and the jazzy fizz of "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm". The standard bearers of popular Christmas song- Judy Garland, Nat King Cole and Irving Berlin would certainly approve.

As previously noted, the holidays are also a time for memories. Bette visits with one of her best in "From A Distance". The lyrics were topical when she first introduced them in 1990... and still relevant today in this poignant new version, infused with sounds of the season by producer/arranger Robbie Buchanan.

Nearly every great artist eventually makes his or her imprint on this favourite time of the year. From Ella to Elvis, Sinatra to Springsteen, Bing to Sting... and, of course, "The King of Christmas" himself, Johnny Mathis. Each new season brings forth a fresh crop of music to create a soundtrack of snowy white... no matter if you live in Nome, Alaska or Gallup, New Mexico. Now add Bette to this esteemed list.

Oh yes, "M" also stands for one other thing, "Mistletoe"... which I encourage each and every listener to hang near their stereo or CD player - as they dream by the fire - listening to this enchanted musical Christmas card - with season's greetings from Bette to you and yours.

-Jay Landers

Notes From Bette

Another wonderful musical experience for the Divine! Thank you to all my friends and family who worked so hard, and made it so much fun... Robbie Buchanan, Jay Landers, Chandler Bridges and Bette Sussman... all of whom taught me so much and made me laugh so hard. I looked forward to every day I spent with you.

Big hugs and kisses to Martin, Sophie and the long-suffering Jill Hattersley. Thank you Eric K., Bette S. and Jay L. for the special material. My appreciation to John Mace, Marge Rivingston and Maurice Finnell for much needed musical focus. To my team at Columbia Records including Steve Barnett, Tom Donnarumma, Rocco Lanzilotta, Claire Mercuri, Elaine Locatelli, Allan Stein... and Rob Stringer (welcome to NY!)

My thanks to the superb musicians and arrangers who showered me with their gifts. I am grateful to all of you, and wish you all the happiest of holidays, always... Love, Bette

Tribute to Arif Mardin

This Album is dedicated with all my love to Arif Mardin, a musical giant, who passed away this year. I worked with Arif for over thirty years and it was one of the luckiest and most joyous collaborations of my life. He was my producer, arranger, and confidante; a humorist, a gentleman and a great, great friend. Many of us who worked on this record knew him well, and all of us will miss him sorely. To Latiffe and her children Joe, Julie and Nazan, please know Arif's spirit will live on through his brilliant music and the many people he touched.

More from inside the album cover...

Robbie Buchanan would like to personally thank Bette Sussman, Chandler Bridges, Frank Wolf, Mick Guzauski, Bob Ludwig and Jay Flanders. What a great team! To our brilliant arrangers Bill Ross, Jonathan Tunick and Pat Williams, it was an honor working with each of you. To Betty Wurst for all your support on the home front. To the Divine Miss M. This album was a total collaboration Bette. Your musical taste and judgement guided us every day... in every way. Thank you for sharing your talents, humor and holiday cheer with me... and the whole world.