While Midler sends up her diva image on her new TV sitcom that premiered this past week, she plays it straight on her latest release.

Thank God.

After 1998's campy, uneven Bathhouse Betty, this 11-song collection is a welcome return to form for The Divine Miss M.

Working with studio pros Don Was (producer) and Ed Cherney (recording engineer), Midler delivers a sophisticated, understated assortment of both new songs and old classics.

Among the standouts are the opening track, That's How Heartaches Are Made, a smooth remake of the Elvis Costello-Burt Bacharach collaboration God Give Me Strength, and an even smoother take on soul gems Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) and Love TKO.

For the dance crowd, there's the Latino-flavoured In These Shoes, a jump-up-and-shake-it version of Patti Griffin's Moses and the destined-to-be-club-classic Bless You Child.

Otherwise, anyone wanting some Bette ballads should look no further than Color Of Roses and Shining Star.

Track Listing
01.That's How Heartaches Are Made
02.In These Shoes
03.God Give Me Strength
04.Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
05.Love TKO
06.Moses
07.Nobody Else But You
08.Color Of Roses
09.Bless You Child
10.When Your Life Was Low
11.Shining Star