So this weekend I was thrilled to receive my first batch of my recent Ebay purchases. Let’s do some music reviews! I’m not talking about every remix, just the stand outs.
Bette Midler – In These Shoes (CD Maxi Single) (2001)
Released in 2001, “In These Shoes” is off of Midler’s 2000 album – “Bette.” According to All Music, “Bette” was her second and final record on Warner Brothers Records. She was dropped after declining sales, eventually signing with Columbia. The track was written by Kirsty MacColl & Pete Glenister.
1.) In These Shoes (Radio Mix) 4:10 (Remix By Jonathan Peters & Tony Coluccio)
Great radio remix. This one is jazzy and campy preserving the sound of the original.
2.) In These Shoes (Soundfactory Vox Mix) 9:07 (Remix By Jonathan Peters & Tony Coluccio)
This mix hits the ground running! Starting out with Bette Midler commanding our attention – finally screaming out “Shut the fuck up!” Love it! I don’t know where that part came from because I don’t think it’s in the original track. This mix is totally high energy and I love it! Vocals start in around 2:40 and start with the first verse. Still no trace of the original instrumentation it’s just Bette’s voice over a house beat. The vocals don’t really extend beyond the song’s first verse. I wish there was more vocal here. It’s still a lot of fun though.
1.) Sanctuary (Mac Project Club Mix) 8:00 This mix is great. High energy, bumpin’ beats and her vocals sound awesome over all of the production. Her voice is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse in a way, a comparison she has heard back when she released debut single “Sweet About Me.” It’s hard to believe this talent is only 17 years old! My only complaint about this mix is that the original melody of the song is lost.
***2.)Sanctuary (Solitaire Club Mix) 5:28 First off, this is a relatively short club mix, clocking in at just under 5.5 minutes. That being said, it jumps to the vocals relatively quickly, which I like. The melody is preserved in this remix, which I really like. Her voice sounds fab with the production. It’s a tough call, but I think I prefer this mix to the Mac Project mix.
3.) Sanctuary (Alex B Club Mix) 7:58 This is probably my least favorite mix. The vocals start in at a little after the 1:30 marker and immediately get lost in the production. The beats seem to be working against the vocals throughout the mix, and the melody is gone completely. I’m not saying I need the remix to sound just like the original track – but I love it if some trace of the original is left.