Thighs and Whispers

Album information

The album's title is a humorous play on Cries and Whispers, influential Swedish film-maker Ingmar Bergman's 1973 movie.

The song "Millworker", written by James Taylor, is from the short-lived Broadway production of Working. Midler's recording of "Married Men" reached the top 40 of the U.S. Club Play Singles chart. The song was also a UK top 40 hit for Bonnie Tyler the same year. Tyler's version was the theme to the British film The World Is Full of Married Men.

The album was largely disco-influenced. It saw Midler reunite with producer Arif Mardin and includes Jerry Ragovoy's "My Knight in Black Leather", a minor dance-floor hit that peaked at #70 on the US dance charts. "Married Men", "Hang on in There Baby" and "My Knight in Black Leather", released at the height of the disco era, were all issued as extended mixes on 12-inch singles.

While the singles and the album itself were largely overlooked at the time, "Big Noise From Winnetka" has since served as the opening number on many of Midler's tours. The song was originally a swing classic recorded by Bob Crosby and the Bobcats, Gene Krupa and several others in the late 1930s.

The album was released on CD in 1990. A remastered version of the album was released by Atlantic Records/Warner Music in 1995.

Side one

1. "Big Noise from Winnetka" (Ray Bauduc, Bob Crosby, Bob Haggart, Gil Rodin) – 6:56
2. "Millworker" (James Taylor) – 4:07
3. "Cradle Days" (Tony Berg, Aaron Neville) – 5:05
4. "My Knight in Black Leather" (Jerry Ragovoy) – 4:53

Side two

1. "Hang on in There Baby" (Johnny Bristol) – 6:04
2. "Hurricane" (Randy Kerber, Bette Midler) – 7:30
3. "Rain" (Mac Rebennack) – 3:58
4. "Married Men" (Dominic Bugatti, Frank Musker) – 3:47

Personnel