Wednesday, March 28, 2012

It Goes Without Saying, Really...


Madonna is setting the pace this week as new album MDNA leads the pack in both US and UK Official Albums Chart race.

Her Interscope debut, MDNA, her 13th studio album (not her 12th as “I’m Breathless” was no soundtrack but an album of songs inspired by the movie “Dick Tracy”) and first under a recently inked deal with Live Nation, is set to debut at #1 on next week’s hits Album sales chart in both countries, with between 325-350k in the US and 29-39k copies in the UK (more then the next five albums combined!)

Madonna is also on course to overtake Elvis Presley with the most UK number one albums by a solo act of all time as her newly-issued MDNA heads to the top this weekend.



Keith Caulfield at Billboard.com goes into further details on the story that has thrilled the fans worldwide for the entire Wednesday: Madonna's 12th studio album, is on course to easily debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart next week.

"Industry sources suggest the set could sell between 300,000 to 350,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, April 1," he writes
If "MDNA" lands atop the list when the new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, April 4, it will mark the Madonna's eighth No. 1 album and her fifth consecutive studio set to debut in the penthouse. Her last studio album, 2008's "Hard Candy," started at No. 1 with 280,000 sold according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Madonna's first No. 1 came on the Billboard 200 chart dated Feb. 9, 1985, when her second album, "Like a Virgin," began a three-week run at the top.

"MDNA's" first week will be bolstered by a successful album sales promotion involving Madonna's upcoming world tour. U.S. customers who bought a concert ticket also had the option of also receiving "MDNA" as part of their purchase. The only sales that will count towards Billboard's charts are those where the customer opted to receive the album.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

ToD...



The first look at the advert for Madonna's Truth Or Dare!



Madonna announced last month that she was launching a lifestyle brand named for the 1991 documentary "Truth or Dare," which chronicled her life during the 1990 Blonde Ambition World Tour.
The brand, which is already available in at Macy's, will include fragrances, footwear, handbags and intimates. According to Madge's fan site, the Truth or Dare brand will include "bracelets, earrings, sexy lingerie and a special Dom Perignon champagne bottle with custom-made packaging."

The "MDNA" singer said the fragrance was inspired by her mother, who died of breast cancer in 1963 at the age of 30. "My oldest memory of my mother is her perfume. I carry it with me everywhere. She always smelled like Gardenias and Tuberose. An intoxicating mixture. Feminine and mysterious."

Remixed MDNA...



The internet only Smirnoff version of Madonna's MDNA has just been released (at least in the US). It includes 7 album tracks, 3 previously "released" mixes of "Give Me All Your Luvin" and 4 exclusive remixes (in bold):

1. Give Me All Your Luvin’ (3:22)
2. Beautiful Killer (3:49)
3. Best Friend (3:20)
4. I’m A Sinner (4:52)
5. Love Spent (3:46)
6. Some Girls (3:53)
7. Superstar (3:54)
8. Masterpiece (Kid Capri’s Remix) (3:57)
9. Give Me All Your Luvin’ (Just Blaze Bionic Dub) (5:41)
10. Turn Up The Radio (Leo Zero Remix) (7:22)
11. Turn Up The Radio (Richard Vission Speakers Blow Remix) (6:15)
12. Give Me All Your Luvin’ (Oliver Twizt Remix) (4:48)
13. Give Me All Your Luvin’ (Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix) (5:58)
14. Give Me All Your Luvin’ (Demolition Crew Remix) (7:01)

Get it here

Overexposed...



Maroon 5 have confirmed the release of their new album.

The band will release their fourth studio set Overexposed in June and have described the material as being their most "pop record ever".

The group scored international success with their 2011 single 'Moves Like Jagger' after collaborating with songwriters outside the band and are hoping to replicate the same result with their new record.

Guitarist James Valentine told Rolling Stone"'Moves Like Jagger' was the first time we ever worked with an outside writer so we decided to try it some more on this record.

"At this point in our career I think it was a good thing to completely mix up our process and it yielded good results, as well as a more collaborative spirit within the band."

He added: "This is our most 'pop' record ever and we weren't shy about really going for it."

And in more Maroon news, singer Adam Levine is expected to make his acting debut this year in the US show American Horror Story. He will play one part of a couple in an episode called "The Lovers" - and with this being a horror show, some not so nice things are bound to happen...

Girl Gone On-Line...



Madonna took to Twitter for one day only to answer questions from her fans. Her fantastic dry humor was of course firmly in place. Check out the transcript by clicking the link below:

http://www.madonna.com/askmadonna/

Monday, March 26, 2012

Tracks...



Time for some tracks - including the FANTASTIC new Madonna video, the english version of the new Max Barskih video, the new Lana Del Rey video (which Kylie Minogue adores) and more...















Thanks to the wonderful Jon for the Cazzi Opeia track - it somehow made me want to listen to some old Erasure albums!

Still The Queen!...



Madonna appeared this weekend for the first time on stage at the Ultra Music Festival in Miami to introduce DJ Avicii. Together they premiered the new “Girl Gone Wild” remix by DJ Avicii.







Released today in the UK: MDNA and the Warner box set of her (almost) complete studio albums. Cant wait for my order to arrive in the mail (which includes both versions of MDNA, the box set and the "Give Me All Your Luvin" CD single). Also released today (and goes into my next order) is another Warner box set with 5 of her classic studio albums.



“Still The Queen of Pop” 
London Times





“Madonna's back at her absolute best with the biggest all-out dance album she’s ever made”
 The Daily Star





“The album should be the spine of an incredible live show – just what her army of followers will want to hear”
The Sun.




And finally: a word of warning!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Transgression & Physial Attraction!...



New Madonna interview!



Madonna and Jimmy Fallon Write on the infamous Facebook Wall in Palo Alto [11 HQ pictures]

The divas latest music video 'Girl Gone Wild' has been banned from open view on YouTube.
The video for the single, which comes from her new album MDNA, has been deemed too raunchy by YouTube. In the video, Madonna dances amongst nude and semi-nude male models and dancers.



The New York Post reports that executives at YouTube have called for a restriction on the video for those under 18 years old.

A representative of YouTube stated: "While we don't comment on individual videos, we review all videos flagged by our users against our community guidelines. In some cases we restrict flagged material that, while not in violation of those guidelines, contains images that may be unsuitable for younger users."

Sources say that in order to obtain an open viewing, makers of the video must edit out all shots of bare backsides as well as an image of a man touching his crotch in an act of implied masturbation.



The 53-year-old star's team are currently in the process of editing the video for YouTube in a bid to improve the social media marketing of her new album.

When asked about the ban, Madonna's rep said: "Some things never change. This is a throwback to [1990] when MTV refused to show 'Justify My Love'.

Madonna herself said: "I'm supposed to be a girl gone wild in the video! How could you go wild and not grind? This is the question that people should be asking."

To ensure a lift on the ban, Madonna's team are currently working to edit out all shots of bare bottoms and a particular scene of simulated masturbation.

Watch one of her best videos in years!!!


Madonna - Girl Gone Wild by Flixgr

Back In The UK...



Kylie Minogue has unveiled the dates of the UK leg of her 'Anti Tour', which marks her 25th year in music. She has already performed four intimate sets of B-sides, demos and rarities in her home country of Australia, much to the delight of her fans.

She will hit Manchester Academy on Sunday, April 1, before playing London's Hammersmith Apollo on Tuesday, April 3.

Tickets for the two gigs, costing £79 each, will go on sale tomorrow (Monday, March 26) at 9am, and can be purchased at http://www.kylie.com/.

How I would love to see this!

Happy Birthday!...

 

A very happy birthday tomorrow to one of the biggest divas ever - the eternal Miss Diana Ross!

She is currently touring the US, working on a new album and HOPEFULLY planning some tour dates in Europe soon. I have to see this woman live.



One of her many, many, many stunning TV performances - here she is with The Supremes shortly before she went solo.



Happy birthday sweetie!!!

Friday, March 23, 2012

It's OUT!!!...



THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER!!!

The new Madonna album has started to hit the stores worldwide, and it keeps getting fantastic reviews! It will be released in the UK on Monday and in the US on Tuesday.

The queen was recently interviewed by The Sun’s “Something for the Weekend" - do read...



A mum of four’s time is precious, especially when she has an album to finish and a gruelling tour to play for.
 But the Queen of Pop couldn’t have been more enthusiastic and open about her 12th studio album MDNA — which might have something to do with the great reviews it has already received. It’s out on Monday.

 In October of this year Madonna will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of her first single Everybody.

Since then she has toured the world nine times, won countless awards and scored ten No1 solo albums.

But the singer, 53, still finds the presentation of new material a nerve-racking experience.


Speaking exclusively to SFTW, she said…

I don’t think presenting any of my work is less nerve-racking than it ever was because I put my heart and soul into something.
Whether it’s on a film or my record, it’s something to work on in privacy and create in a kind of bubble and then put it out in the world.
You never know how people are going to receive it, whether it’s going to move them or inspire them. The world is so full of entertainment now, isn’t it? So there are a lot of nerves.
It’s amazing to be back in music. I like the intimacy of a recording studio and song-writing. I’m using a different part of my brain when I work on music versus when I’m directing a film.
There are a billion more people on a film and I don’t have that visceral outlet of being able to sing, scream… jump around.

It’s very different. I love doing both but it was nice to have the simplicity of song-writing after three years of writing a script and directing and editing and talking about my film, to sit down and play my guitar and sing a song. I almost cried.


Her last studio album, Hard Candy in May 2008, experimented with a hip-hop influence. She collaborated with Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams and Timbaland.

The album reached No1 around the world but received a lukewarm reception from some fans and critics.

MDNA, a “triple entendre” as she describes it, is a return to what she does best: classic pop songs with a sprinkling of trademark controversy.

And it is down to the return of her winning formula: working with top European producers.

Stuart Price produced some of her best original material on Confessions On A Dancefloor back in 2005. She also made some great material with French electronic guru Mirwais.

But her return to the studio with producer William Orbit, who made Ray Of Light back in 1998, is a master stroke.

The tracks they have made together on the new album, including Gang Bang and Some Girls, slot into her discography perfectly.

She has also employed the skills of Martin Solveig, Italian DJ Benny Benassi and his cousin Allessandro.


And Madonna believes her return to Europe for her producing partners is no coincidence.

She explained…

I think maybe I just have more of a European sensibility. People say that about my songs as well. I like working with people who are well-read and know what’s going on in the world.
Conversation is essential. With William, we always get into discussions about philosophy or quantum physics.
With Martin Solveig we always end up getting in to discussions about foreign films. When I’m working with people I can’t just write music, I have to be able to talk about life and the world, and art. Benny was a tricky one because he doesn’t speak English very well.
I ended up kind of using his cousin Allessandro as an interpreter.
It was a little bit frustrating at first but eventually we found a way to communicate. You figure out a way. With music it’s so much about the vibe and the energy and you know when things are working and when they’re not.
When you’re working with someone for the first time, there’s a kind of shyness that everybody has, so with Benny it was more challenging because of that but we figured it out and by the end I felt like I knew him very well.
Martin is such good fun, I adore him. You have to feel like you can say ‘No, I don’t like that,’ and you’re not going to hurt their feelings. And vice versa.
But he’s got just the right balance of seriousness and humour.
He’s very organised and methodical in his thinking so I like his work process.


The production on the album is slick, with some great touches.

On Gang Bang the noise of a spent cartridge from a gun hitting a concrete floor illustrates her “Kill Bill” fantasy for the track.

But the contrast of a huge pop track like Superstar, featuring her daughter Lourdes on backing vocals, is followed up with a song called Falling Free — one of her most stripped-back songs for years. She explained…

I have to be completely involved in the production. I like the contrast.
I like to have something that is just slammed with noise and sound and bass and drum, sensory overload and then create something like Falling Free, which is stripped back and all you can really hear is my voice and the lyrics.
Sometimes I sit down on a guitar and start strumming chords and things come out.

Sometimes people bring a song to me that has a title, for instance, or an idea of a lyric and I take it and kind of re-shape it, re-word it and make it my own. It comes in so many different ways, it’s always been that way.


The album features some big collaborations with strong female solo stars — M.I.A and rapper Nicki Minaj. Give Me All Your Luvin’ was the Superbowl song that ended up causing controversy when M.I.A decided to stick up her middle fin ger.

But that punk spirit is exactly why she got them on board.

She said…

I was looking to collaborate with women who I think have a strong sense of themselves.
They were a lot of fun to be around in the studio, for sure.
I think we were all shy of each other in the beginning, that’s just human nature.
I think we got over that pretty quickly.
They’re both very self-possessed people, especially M.I.A. I don’t think she’s impressed much by stars and celebrities, so we just got down to business. I loved her.

 

And the key to keeping the music original? Don’t listen to chart music while you are writing.
She said…

I wasn’t listening to anything to tell you the truth, when I wrote this.
I was working on the soundtrack to my movie W.E. So just classical music. I actually don’t like listening to pop music while I’m working on pop music — it doesn’t really work.
You don’t want to hear other people’s stuff, you need a clean slate to work off.

 

You can download an internet exclusive - acoustic version of "Love Spent" right here 

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes...



Toni Braxton has announced the title of her new album.

Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes marks the eighth LP from the singer. It is scheduled for release in May this year.

Discussing the record with That Grape Juice, she said: "You're going to want to dance all night. Let's say it's probably very 'Last Dance'-ish.

"I'm kind of a beast in the studio - I'm a perfectionist. I repeat things, I want to get it right!"

The record is trailed by single "I Heart You", which the she premiered online earlier this month.

Heartstrings & Synagogue Vibes follows 2010's Pulse, which peaked at number nine in the US and 28 in the UK and spawned the hit single "Yesterday".

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Girl Gone Wild!...

Madonna’s “Girl Gone Wild” Video

Here it is - the new Madonna video!!!



Behind the scenes on Madonna’s “Girl Gone Wild” Video

*Madonna has just released a statement about the controversy surrounding her forthcoming  St Petersburg concert.

Madonna’s new tour in Russia drew the ire of orthodox Christian activists. The Queen of Pop challenges the law, signed March 7 by St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko, a Putin ally and former KGB officer, that bans lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered “propaganda” that could give minors “the false perception that traditional and nontraditional relationships are socially equal.”

Here is what Madonna has to say:

I'm a freedom fighter.
My show
My songs
My work
... My art
Is all about freedom of expression
Freedom to choose to speak to act
Always with humanity and compassion
I will come to St. Petersburg to speak up for the gay community, to support the gay community and to give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels opressed.
I don't run away from adversity.
I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity.



*A little something on the upcoming releases: "Girl Gone Wild" will be released as a CD single on April 17th and as a picture disc on April 24th!
Both editions of MDNA will come in a jewel case. The standard edition will have an 8 page booklet, the deluxe edition 20 pages.

*NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – Mar 22, 2012) – The Smirnoff Co. has announced that they are offering ‘The Smirnoff “MDNA” Nightlife Edition Remix Album’ to Madonna fans. The surefire collector’s album will be available to consumers exclusively through the Smirnoff US Facebook page. The Smirnoff “MDNA” Nightlife Edition Remix Album features seven remixed tracks from Madonna’s new album, “MDNA.” Both albums are scheduled to be released on March 26th. The “MDNA” Nightlife Edition Remix Album showcases DJ sensations Kid Capri & Just Blaze, from Smirnoff’s Master of the Mix program and never heard before versions of new tracks including “Give Me All Your Luvin’” and “Masterpiece.” This is the latest element of Smirnoff’s multifaceted partnership with Madonna and Live Nation Entertainment.
Smirnoff’s exciting offer to fans enables them to purchase the “MDNA” Nightlife Edition Remix Album by ‘liking’ their US Facebook page (facebook.com/SmirnoffUS) and placing their order for $3.50. The simultaneous March 26th distribution of the remixed downloads and the release of “MDNA” on March 26th enables Smirnoff fans to be the first to hear the unique compilation.
Simon Burch, Global Brand Director for The Smirnoff Co., commented, “It is a testament to Madonna’s phenomenal performance and album production that these tracks can be remixed whilst retaining their musical integrity and broad appeal. It is exciting to be giving our fans the first chance to hear these incredible tracks in an expertly produced compilation album.”
“We are delighted that Madonna and Live Nation Entertainment’s collaboration with Smirnoff gives us the chance to share extraordinary original content with fans, and provide them with new and exciting ways to experience Madonna’s music,” said Christopher Swope, Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances & Innovation, Live Nation Network.
The Smirnoff “MDNA” Nightlife Edition Remix Album is part of a multi-faceted program between Madonna, her partner Live Nation, and Diageo, the parent company of The Smirnoff Co.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Don't Stop The Dance...

Bryan-Ferry

Legendary singer Bryan Ferry will perform a one off concert in Reykjavik, Iceland on May 27th! He will be playing at Eldborg, Harpa. Tickets (only 1500) go on sale this thursday - and two of them shall be mine!!!

UPDATE:

Yes, got me two great tickets. The show sold out very quickly so it was no easy task to get good ones. Another (final) show has been added on May 28th. Cant wait to see him!

Blog post looking back on his fantastic career will be posted in the coming weeks!

Fall To Grace...



Paloma Faith will release her second album Fall To Grace on May 28th.

She sais: "The new album has taken on a very cinematic mood. I am very excited to introduce my new sound into the world. Working with Nellee Hooper (Björk, Madonna) has been really inspirational".

Fall to Grace will be preceded by the single "Picking Up The Pieces" on May 20th.

I liked her first album a lot, so I will be picking this one up for sure. There will be a 2CD deluxe edition available along with the standard edition.

The Modern Girl...



April 16th will see the release of a new, double disc compilation CD from Sheena Easton. Sadly it only features songs from 1981-1987 (when she was signed to EMI records).. I would have loved a compilation that spans her whole career up to her last album - the rather fantastic Fabulous in 2000. Anyways, here is the tracklist:

Disc 1
  1. Modern Girl
  2. Morning Train (Nine To Five)
  3. One Man Woman
  4. Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)
  5. Take My Time
  6. Hungry Eyes
  7. Machinery
  8. Just Another Broken Heart
  9. Sugar Walls
  10. Strut
  11. Jimmy Mack
  12. Back In The City
  13. So Far So Good
  14. Are You Man Enough
  15. Ice Out In The Rain
  16. Do It For Love
Disc 2
  1. For Your Eyes Only
  2. We've Got Tonight (Kenny Rogers And Sheena Easton)
  3. When He Shines
  4. Wind Beneath My Wings
  5. Paradox
  6. You Could Have Been With Me
  7. Devil In A Fast Car
  8. Magic Of Love
  9. Eternity
  10. I Wouldn't Beg For Water
  11. Almost Over You US
  12. Straight Talking
  13. A Little Tenderness
  14. Letters From The Road
  15. Swear









No Strings
Freedom (Slip)

Together Forever...



Bananarama, Jason Donovan, Sinitta and Sonia are among a host of Stock Aitken Waterman acts that will perform at a special reunion concert this summer.

The gig will bring together nearly all the artists who found fame on the PWL record label to mark its 25th anniversary. Rick Astley, Sinitta, Pepsi and Shirlie and Brother Beyond will also feature on the line-up.
The concert will take place in London's Hyde Park on 11 July.



Fans can also expect appearances from Dead or Alive, Princess, Hazell Dean, Sybil, Lonnie Gordon and 2 Unlimited, while the concert will be headlined by Steps. Organisers said the gig would be a "celebration of the hit single" as the performing acts have between them sold 250 million singles.



They also said a "very special duet" which was last performed 23 years ago would form part of the show.
Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue's hit "Especially For You" was a hit for the pair at the end of the 1980s. More acts set to join the bill will be announced shortly, while some proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Cancer Research UK.

Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman are considered one of the most successful songwriting and producing partnerships of all time, scoring more than 100 UK top 40 hits during the 1980s and 1990s.
Waterman said: "I've been saying no for years to a Hit Factory concert but now, 25 years on, the timing feels right."

Tickets go on sale on March 23rd.


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