The Rose (soundtrack)

Infobox Album
Name = The Rose (soundtrack)
Type = Soundtrack album
Artist = Bette Midler


Released = February 15, 1980
Recorded = 1978-1979
Genre = Vocal, Rock, Blues
Length = 39:02
Label = Atlantic Records
Producer = Paul A. Rothchild
Reviews = Allmusic rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3pfixqe5ldhe]
Last album = "Thighs and Whispers"
(1979)
This album = "The Rose"
(1980)
Next album = "Divine Madness"
(1980)

The Rose is the soundtrack to the feature film of the same name starring Bette Midler which was released in 1980. Midler performs all the songs on the album, with the exception of the instrumental "Camelia". The soundtrack was apart from the title track entirely recorded live and also features concert monologues, with Midler portraying the character The Rose/Pearl, loosely based on legendary blues singer Janis Joplin. The soundtrack was produced by Paul A. Rothchild, who in fact also had worked with Joplin on what was to become her final album before her untimely passing in 1970, entitled "Pearl" and released posthumously. Midler's portrayal of The Rose/Pearl, which was her acting debut, earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in 1980 and became the start of her career in movies.

The first single to be lifted off the soundtrack was Midler's rendition of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" which became a moderate chart hit, peaking at #35 on Billboard's single chart. The studio recorded title track (written by Amanda McBroom) which closes the album however became a top 3 hit for Midler, and also a #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and today counts as one of her signature tunes. The alternate single version with orchestral overdubs was not included on the actual soundtrack but later appeared on hits compilations like "Experience the Divine" along with "When A Man Love A Woman". One track featured in the movie, Bob Seger's "Fire Down Below", was omitted from the album but Midler recorded a second live version of the song later in 1980 for the soundtrack to her concert documentary "Divine Madness". "Keep On Rockin'" was the second Sammy Hagar track Midler recorded, his hard rock track "Red" was featured on her 1977 studio album "Broken Blossom". The "Rose" soundtrack also included one song that since its original release has become a mainstay in Midler's live repertoire, Jerry Ragovoy's despairing blues ballad "Stay With Me".

"The Rose" peaked at #12 on Billboard's album chart in the Spring of 1980, making it Midler's bestselling album since 1973's "Bette".

The album was digitally remastered and reissued on CD by Atlantic Records/Warner Music in 1995 but with no bonus tracks.

Tracklist

"All tracks recorded live unless otherwise noted"

Side A
#"Whose Side Are You On?" (Kenny Hopkins, Charley) - 3:58
#"Midnight In Memphis" (Tony Johnson) - 3:23
#"Concert Monologue" - 2:42
#"When A Man Loves A Woman" (Calvin Lewis, Andrew Wright) - 4:42
#"Sold My Soul To Rock 'N' Roll" (Gene Pistilli) - 3:23
#"Keep On Rockin'" (Sammy Hagar, John Carter) - 3:02

Side B
#"Love Me With A Feeling" (Hudson Whittaker) - 3:38
#"Camelia" (Stephen Hunter) - 2:42
#"Homecoming Monologue" - 1:22
#"Stay With Me" (Jerry Ragovoy, George Weiss) - 5:00
#"Let Me Call You Sweetheart" (Beth Slater Whitson, Leo Friedman) - 1:30
#"The Rose" (Studio recording - album version) (Amanda McBroom) - 3:40

Personnel

* Bette Midler - lead vocalsThe Rose Concert Band
* Danny Weis - guitar
* Steve Hunter - guitar
* Mark Leonard - bass guitar
* Robbie Buchanan - keyboards
* Whitey Glan - drums
* Norton Buffalo - harmonica & trombone
* Jerry Jumonville - saxophone
* Mark Underwood - trumpet
* Norton Buffalo - background vocals
* Bill Champlin - background vocals
* Donny Gerrard - background vocals"Love Me With a Feeling" Band
* Greg Prestopino - acoustic guitar
* Bill Elliott - piano
* Jon Sholle - electric guitar
* Scott Chambers - bass
* Harry Stinson - drums"The Rose" Ensemble
* Lincoln Mayorga - piano
* Amanda McBroom - harmony vocals

Production

* Paul A. Rothchild - record producer, musical arranger, remixing
* Bill Gazecki - sound engineer, associate producer, remixing
* Bob Leonard - engineer
* Ed Lever - engineer
* Roger Mayer - engineer
* Stuart Taylor - engineer
* John Neal - engineer
* Ed Lever - engineer
* Recorded by: The Enactron Truck
* SMPTE Code Processing by: Canyon Recorders
* Remixed at Elektra Sound Recorders by Bill Gazecki, Paul A. Rothchild
* Concerts recorded live during June & July, 1978
* Stephen Innocenzi - remastering (1995 reissue)