Bette Midler - Bette on the Boards

"Oh you've got to have friends"

Klingman, Midler, Dylen - Buckets Of Rain Moogy Klingman , co-writer of what became Bette Midler�s theme song "Friends", had a very deep impact on Bette's career. Mr. Klingman produced her third album "Songs For The New Depression," as well. During this time, Moogy helped bring out the songwriter in Bette. A couple of the songs she wrote made it on the album. One song, "Fiesta In Rio," later became a part of her Vickie Eydie act and was recorded on the concert album, �Live At Last.� However Moogy did not have full control, so several songs never made the final cut of the �Depression� album. The songs, "I Had To Resort To Beauty," "Oh Jerusalem," and "Hey Bobby" were dropped. In addition, other songs were modified or edited by the powers that be at Atlantic Records. In retrospect, if these songs and original arrangements had been included on the album, Bette might have been seen in a whole new light as a very serious singer and songwriter. It is Moogy�s opinion that including the unreleased songs, instead of those substituted, would have resulted in a more cohesive concept album which is what Bette had originally intended.

Since �Songs for the New Depression� was considered a critical and commercial disappointment, it makes one wonder what might have happened had the album been released as originally conceived by Midler and Klingman. According to Mr. Klingman, enough material was discarded to make up a whole new album - the �missing� Midler album.

Below Moogy has graciously made a list of the songs that were not included on the album with a small description of each. Following that is a petition to get Atlantic to release the master tapes to Moogy so he in turn can release the album as it was originally conceived.

It should also be noted that Moogy, along with longtime friend and collaborator, Buzzy Linhart, wrote several songs for Bette's 1995 album "Bette Of Roses". Unfortunately, these songs were not chosen for the album. Below are lyrics to those songs, as well as links to different Moogy sites.

Songs From The New Depression
The Missing Midler Album
My Freedom And I:
This outtake was probably from the 2nd album - if not the 2nd then the 1st - and had Barry Manilow arranging and playing.

Hello Stranger / Strangers In The Night:
This was strictly a home demo idea with Bette, my girlfriend at the time, and me sitting around a tape recorder at the piano.

I Had To Resort To Beauty:
Bette wrote it and we recorded it live at an old hotel with an old timely arrangement and a thirty piece orchestra right out of Paul Whiteman. Great! Like a thirties song.

Hey Bobby:
A song I co-wrote with Bette about Robert DeNiro. Great song with great track - it would have been a hit single if she had released it.

Strangers In The Night:
My version was left off the album in favor of the inferior version produced by Arif Mardin. My version was much better and I worked for weeks on the vocal with Bette. Bette did the Mardin version in 20 minutes, and it sounds like it.

Young Americans/Day In The Life:
A really good recording from Bette's Clams on the Half Shell Revue.

Oh Jerusalem:
A song I co-wrote with Bette and recorded live with 2 piano players. A great song!

Blue Rondo A La Turk:
Bette doing 20 voices with lyrics co-written by Jerry Blatt and myself.

Fiesta In Rio:
I didn't know there was a version on Live At Last. Bette wrote the song and I played all the instruments on the recording. (ghost wrote the music)

Buckets Of Rain:
There were two previous versions, both much better than the one Ahmet Ertgun made me put on the record. The one you sent me [Bob Dylan Bootleg Version] with all that live talking really happened.

Volcano:
A Bob Crewe song - who wrote all the Four seasons Frankie Vallie hits - with the Edgar Winter band singing and playing on back-up - A definite hit single!

I Don't Want The Night To End:
This was on the record, but the first verse - out of time, rubato, and emotional with solo sax - was left off!! The first minute of this song must be put back!!

Would you like to hear these songs?
If you do, please join us in trying to get Atlantic Records to allow Moogy Klingman
to go through the master tapes and revive these songs.
Please take a minute to sign the following petition and help make a difference.
CLICK HERE

Songs For Bette Of Roses

LAST TRAIN OUT
(by Buzzy Linhart and Moogy Klingman)

fools in love, we fell so easily,
it took no shove, this was our destiny
and I'm sure of it there's just one thing compared to this that even
seems to fit, a glove...foolish in love

one more dance, and then I've really got to go
you told me so, that you had never really ever been in love before, my glance...
just one more dance

CHORUS
this is the last time around
one more trip across the floor
this is our last chance to find romance
cause we've said it all before

this is the last train out, it pulls out at half past ten
you can leave now but you can't come back again

one more song, that's how it's got to be,
it won't take long to see how you feel 'bout me
and who could have known? when you were over in the corner sitting

all alone, for so long,
just one more song

CHORUS
this is the last time around
one more trip across the floor
this is our last chance to find romance
cause we've said it all before

the last train out, and you can hear conductor Ben
calling all aboard now,
you can leave now, but you can't come back again

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
(by Buzzy Linhart and Moogy Klingman)

fountain of youth, a coin tossed over your shoulder
you could search the whole world over
or I can take you there

mountain of truth, just outside of your window
you could climb atop that mountain,
but you won't find it there.

CHORUS
time bends, if you know the secret, somewhere, magic's in the air
time slides, all around and thru you, faith heals, love is everywhere

fountain of youth, just this side of the rainbow,
a wise man told a story, and this is what he said

when children sing, the music tells you the secret
the answer lies within you, the fountain's in your mind

CHORUS

VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCE
(by Buzzy Linhart & Moogy Klingman)

anger can be easy when you don't know who to blame
humor can be helpful, if your laughter fans the flame
it really is a wonder that sin is such a shame.
and that losers can be winners, if they'll only play the game

honesty is something I could really live without
just show me an honest man and I will throw him out,
no matter what you stand for, no matter what you do
it always seems that someone else is better off than you

CHORUS
I'm a victim of circumstance, showing you my song and dance
like a story out of True Romance, but it happens every day

sailors can be angry when they've been too long at sea,
and they oft times, might hurt someone, just trying to feel free
so be careful who you're seen with and with what you do agree,
yes my friend, take special care, 'less you end up like me

life can be so lovely when you're standing ten feet tall,
but most of us are shorter and we're feeling two feet small
it's the one that tells you what to do who I hate most of all,
and he says you may not join the dance, and can't attend the ball

CHORUS

the truth is what it is, and if it fits then it's your shoe,
just hoping that it's something else won't change your life for you
so be cautious with the things you say and watch just what you do,
and be careful what you wish for, 'cause someday it might come true,
your wish just might come true

CHORUS

BUY THE CD

The Buzzy / Moogy Sessions 1983-1994
(features the above 3 songs and more)

MOOGY LINKS
Moogy Music | All Music Guide | Road To Utopia