AMG Review of No Frills

Charlotte Dillon
All Music Guide

Bette Midler is a gifted entertainer, whether acting or singing. On this 1983 album, No Frills, she showcases numbers that take flavorings from pop, disco, and rock & roll. Midler has a way of making any song she sings her own, but some of the tracks on this recording might stir memories of other artists. Aaron Neville and Linda Rondstat did an admired version of "All I Need to Know." "Beast of Burden" became a hit for the Rolling Stones. Other songs on No Frills that deserve a mention include "My Eye on You," "Favorite Waste of Time," and "Only in Miami." The latter is a Latin-type number she did before the style became popular in the American market. Though this album isn't one of her very best, it's still a great recording to add to any music collection that belongs to a Bette Midler fan.