Richard Amsel a nationwide artists’ talent search; the artist was 22 at the time. Amsel quickly found popularity within New York's art scene, and his illustrations caught the attention of Barry Manilow, then a young singer/songwriter named who was working with Bette Midler, a newly emerging entertainer in cabaret clubs and piano bars. Manilow introduced the two, and it was quickly decided that Amsel should do the cover of her first Atlantic Records album. The cover, for "The Divine Miss M" proved to be one of the most ubiquitous of the year. More album covers and posters soon followed, as did a
Divine Madness (Bette Midler album) and "Shiver Me Timbers" was not featured in the home video release (VHS or DVD). Footage of these songs have not been restored. The soundtrack does not include "Do You Want to Dance?," "Ready to Begin Again," "My Way," "To the South Seas/Hawaiian War Chant," "Ebb Tide," "The Rose," or any monologues. The "Divine Madness" album like the movie itself was a moderate commercial success, peaking at #34 on "Billboard"'s album chart. The album was released on CD for the first time in 1989. A remastered version of the album was released by Atlantic Records/Warner Music in 1995. Side A