The Iron Diva...

Is Madonna still relevant? More than ever.

Since Madonna Louise Ciccone last toured with her outrageously successful Sticky and Sweet extravaganza ($400 million, thank you), the world lost two of music’s most indelible influences, fallen ’80s super icons Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. And music’s next great hope, Amy Winehouse. All to drugs.

Luckily, we don’t have to worry about the Eternal Girl. Knowing Queen Madge and her stubborn spirit, she’ll outlast us all.

She’s still kissing girls (this time, the lucky whippersnapper is Nicki Minaj), selling-out stadiums, producing infectious hit singles (“Give Me All Your Luvin’”), thumbing her nose at movie critics, reshaping her age-defying body, cussing out hydrangeas and inspiring us all by raising a modern family as a single mom. Whew.

Somewhere in between all that managed chaos and fun, Madonna scored her second Golden Globe Award for “Masterpiece.” She even beat her longtime rival Elton John in the category. In a rare act of diplomacy, Madonna didn’t take Elton’s bait when the surly musician — and his Toronto-born partner David Furnish — attacked her mercilessly in the press afterward.

Her recently released movie WE tackles Madonna’s two favourite subjects, fame and love, through the storied romance of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. While the movie received mixed reviews, Madonna managed to escape the personal attacks she’s faced in the past for her films.

She is royalty of a kind, reminding everyone she’s still the greatest performer of ‘em all by single-handedly stealing the Super Bowl earlier this year with a lively, record-breaking half-time performance which people are still talking about. Her Egyptian-cheerleading-gospel-choir-inspired spectacle was the most-watched halftime show on record, and actually edged out the game’s averages in both ratings and total viewers.

Not bad for a 53-year-old star, especially in this youth-obsessed market of ours. Read what she had to say to Nelson Branco…

On Reinventing herself…

“Life and love inspire me. I think reinventing yourself is vital to your survival as an artist and a human being. I know it’s cliché to say about me at this point, but it’s true. My curiosity definitely is the driving force in my life and career.

When you stop learning, engaging and growing, you’re dead.”

On Elton John…

“It appears he’s always mad at me about something, isn’t he? I’m honest when I say I have nothing against him. I’m a fan of his music. He’s a brilliant artist. And I will always adore and respect him. And he has the right to gripe as much as he wants.

I like knowing he’s thinking about me a lot.”

On giving up fame for love…

“Yes. But then again, I’m of the mind: Why can’t I have both? I don’t think we need to compromise. “

On Touring and Recording…

“While my new passion is making movies, touring and recording will always be my first love. My music career pays the mortgage — and keeps me in shape. Plus, it’s fun. I think the fans are going to love it.

I didn’t want to do anything too serious because the film was so taxing for me on an artistic level. I can’t wait to get up there and dance and sing. Some of my little ones have yet to see that side of my life".

On MDNA…

“I wanted to make an album that was unapologetically happy. I think we all need to dance a bit more these days. The world needs a breather, and [DJ/producer] Martin [Solveig] knows how to put a smile on people’s faces. And, of course, I have my partner-in-crime, William Orbit, helping me out with the substance. MDNA is a good hybrid of the introspective and fun.”

On Canada and once saying that Toronto is a “fascist state” (Truth or Dare)…

“Of course (Toronto is) not (a facist state). My how times have changed, huh? I love Canada. You guys get it. My country could learn a lot from you guys.”

And speaking of Truth Or Dare: dont forget the new DVD and BR release, coming out on April 3rd.

And some tidbits:

*The remixes for "Give Me All Your Luvin" will be released very shortly. No word on a physical format as of yet.

*It seems that "Masterpiece" will indeed be a UK single. Remixes have already been commissioned.

*MDNA might be seqenced like Confessions On A Dancefloor was. No final word yet on this...

SOTD...

The very much missed Dusty Springfield with one of my favourite tracks of hers:

Stolen...

The complete back catalogue of Michael Jackson's music has been stolen by hackers.

Sony Music's Jackson archive was illegally hijacked and more than 50,000 digital files were downloaded as part of a massive operation.

Record company bosses paid $250 million (157,908GBP) to Jackson's estate in 2010 for the collection, which included unheard material from when he made his Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad albums.

A source told the Sunday Times: "Everything Sony purchased from the Michael Jackson estate was compromised.

"It caused them to check their systems and they found the breach. There was a degree of sophistication. Sony identified the weakness and plugged the gap."

The catalogue is also said to include, amongst other things,  an unreleased  duet with the late Freddie Mercury from Queen.



This is obviously a massive blow for Sony if the unreleased material starts appearing on-line. Time will tell - but my guess is that these tracks will be sold off to megafans who will pay big bucks for the songs, and who will keep them to themselves - at least to begin with. And after the investigation that successfully found (and jailed) the person responsible for the leak of Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin" single, I am sure that Sony will do everything in their power to find the hackers.

Remix...

It's the new Madonna single - what else? Enjoy the fanmade remixvideo below, and go wild!

Electra...

Marina and The Diamonds has just revealed the cover of her new album, along with the tracklist. I really liked her debut album and I love the tracks I have already heard from this one. Electra Heart comes out on April 30th.

Getting Closer...

Universal Music Italia have just revealed some new information on Madonna’s upcoming album MDNA.

MDNA, recorded in New York and LA, reunites Madonna with former collaborator William Orbit (Ray of Light, Music) who co-wrote and co-produced several cuts on the new album. Other co-producers include Martin Solveig, The Demolition Crew, Marco “Benny” Benassi and Alessandro “Alle” Benassi, Hardy “Indiigo” Muanza, Michael Malih and Madonna herself.

Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. (who are featured on "Give me all your Luvin") are also featured separately on two different tracks - "I Don’t Give A" features Nicki Minaj and  "B-day song" features M.I.A.

Other collaborators are LMFAO, Klas Ahlund, Madonna's brother-in law Joe Henry (who co-writes the William Orbit track "Falling Free") and Mika, who co-wrote the William Orbit track "Gang Bang".
The Swedish songwriter and record producer Klas Ahlund has already worked with the likes of Britney Spears, Robyn and Kylie Minogue.
Joe Henry has worked with Madonna before on tracks like "Don’t Tell me", "Jump", and "Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You".

MDNA will be available in two versions:
-Standard version (12 tracks)
Deluxe version (17 tracks – 2CDs)

1) Girl Gone Wild
2) Gang Bang
3) I'm Addicted
4) Turn Up the Radio
5) Give Me All Your Luvin' (feat. M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj)
6) Some Girls
7) Superstar
8) I Don't Give A (feat. Nicki Minaj)
9) I'm a Sinner
10) Love Spent
11) Masterpiece
12) Falling Free

DELUXE EDITION BONUS TRACKS:


13) Beautiful Killer
14) I F***d Up
15) B-Day Song (feat. M.I.A.)
16) Best Friend
17) Give Me All Your Luvin' (LMFAO Remix ft. Nicki Minaj and LMFAO)

*The Japanese edition of the deluxe version will include a bonus track: "Girl Gone Wild" (Justin Cognito Radio Edit).

*There will also be a Walmart exclusive, which does not include "Gang Bang" but has a bonus remix instead: "Give Me All Your Luvin" (Laidback Luke Remix)

*The version from Taiwan (if pre-ordered) comes with a 70x70cm poster, a deluxe cover AND a one track CD single of "Give Me All Your Luvin" (NO RAP version)!

*And of course, some bloody online version of the album that includes a acoustic version of "Love Spent".



William Orbit talks a bit about the album and gives some exclusive info:





Attitude magazine have published their review of MDNA (although not the full album):

Most of MDNA is about having fun, but this is also a very dark album! If Like a Prayer was her divorce record and Hard Candy suffered, one senses, from being put together as her relationship with Guy Ritchie was falling apart. Then MDNA is a f*ck you - to her marriage, the life that came with it, and partly to herself for losing her identity in a partnership. She is out there to recpature who she is, and she has demons to slay!

Girl Gone Wild - biggest pop stomper on the album.
Gang Bang - very theatrical vocals about taking revenge on a lover who ruined her life. She apparently yells on the record 'Drive f*cker, Die f*cker!' Kind of Stupid, kind of amazing, kind of funny and kind of fucked up! Full of one essential thing that her contenders lack: DRAMA!
Shot you dead,
Shot my lover in the head...
I'm going straight to hell...
I've got a lot of friends there
Drive f*cker, die f*cker!
I Don't Give A - tour-de-force moment on the album. recounting a typical day, becomes intensely honest, telling-off of her critics. The track builds up to a genius, choral, almost Tom Burton-esque conclusion.
Wake up,
This is your life,
Children on your own,
Gotta plan on the phone,
Meet the press,
Buy a dress,
Do all this to impress...
Do ten things at once
And if you don't like it
I don't give a...
I tried to be the perfect wife...
I diminished myself...
It swallowed me...
If I was a failure
Then I don't give a...
Turn Up The Radio - Strongest most immediate section on MDNA. Begins like a delicate ballad, pleading the audience to stop for a moment and get away from the world through music. May sound trite, but there's urgency in it's simplicity. Transforms into the albums most pounding moment, reaching a climax that threatens to blow the speakers. Some might find it unusually generic, but she makes it her own. Sure to please fans, fill dancefloors, shake clubs and find a slot on the next series of Glee.
Superstar - one of the later highlights on the album. The sweetest song she has released since 'Cherish'. Twirls along, an open-top summer anthem. Serenading a new lover with a hypnotic chorus. It's simple and pretty and a perfect song to sing on her summer concerts! And should definately be a single!
Falling Free - deep melancholia! One of the saddest songs she has ever written.
Beautiful Killer - 80's sounding, string laden song as a tribute to french actor Alain Delon.
'I Fucked Up' - Only described as confessional.
 
Conclusion:
Overall it might not have the serious pop intensity of Confessions, it's not as a drastically new or experimental as music critics might like, but it's fun, fucked up, dancey, and full of drama. It's what her fans have been waiting for: a wallop enough of an album to put her back up there, a checkmate against Lady Gaga, who despite her brilliance, doesn't quite give you songs that are as easy to disco dance to as some of these are. Is Madonna still 'the Queen' as Nicki Minaj gabs at one point? On the strength of MDNA, it's hard to argue against.



Along with the Complete Studio Albums box set, there will also be a box set with 5 of Madonna's albums. It is a part of the Original Album Series (other artists receiving sets like include Prince, A-ha and David Bowie, to name a few). A cheap way to own some classic albums if you dont already have them. The Madonna box comes out on April 3rd, a week after the complete albums box set.

And in some other M news:

* "Masterpiece"  is BBC's Radio 2 Record of the Week with some additional info:

:

Madonna – Masterpiece

Polydor

Single release: 2 April 2012

So, will "Masterpiece" become the third single from the album?

*Madonna scores her record-extending 55th Top 10 on “Dance/Club Play Songs”, as "Give Me All Your Luvin" featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., vaults 24-9.The song is her 26th Top 10 in a row stretching back to 1998.

*And finally: it seems that the all male dance croup Kazaky will be featured in the "Girl Gone Wild" video!

Come Rain Or Shine...

The news previously reported here have now been confirmed!

Time and taste have been kind to Diana Ross, recent recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. From the moment The Supremes broke into the national consciousness, it was clear there was something special about that pretty lead singer with the unmistakable voice.
And believe it or not, nothing can stop her – not even the elements, as a classic 1983 live event, bowing on DVD this spring from Shout! Factory, is quick to prove.

On July 21, 1983, Miss Ross – at the time, two years into a recording contract with RCA, after decades with Motown – came to New York City to perform a show in Central Park to raise money for a new playground. The show, recorded under the title Diana Ross: For One and For All for the Showtime cable network, was going to be like any other, featuring plenty of classic cuts from her years with The Supremes and as a solo artist on Motown alongside current hits like “Muscles” and “Mirror, Mirror.” But high winds and rain soon posed a major problem for Ross and the concertgoers. Diana became a stunning embodiment of “the show must go on” that night, refusing to vacate the stage until absolutely necessary and making good on a spontaneous promise to perform the next day. That sunny set was punctuated by covers of hits by Stevie Wonder (“Ribbon in the Sky”) and “Muscles” writer Michael Jackson (“Beat It”) in addition to performances of “Upside Down,” “Endless Love” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

The first official DVD edition of this concert – which will be commemorated on public television stations starting this month with encore broadcasts of the original Showtime special – features the complete footage from both concerts as well as a new commentary by Steve Binder, who directed the special as well as countless other legendary music programs for film and television (The T.A.M.I. Show, Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special). Regardless of the weather outside, any fan of Ross will want to pick this disc up when it’s released on May 15. Hit the jump to check out both setlists and keep your eyes peeled for an order link when one’s available.


Diana Ross, Live in Central Park (Shout! Factory, 2012)
Night 2: July 22, 1983

1. I’m Coming Out
2. Home
3. Family
4. It’s My House
5. Let’s Go Up
6. Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)
7. Supremes Medley: Reflections/Baby Love/Stop! In the Name of Love/Love is Like an Itching in My Heart
8. God Bless the Child
9. Mirror, Mirror
10. Maniac
11. You Can’t Hurry Love
12. Upside Down
13. So Close
14. Why Do Fools Fall in Love
15. Ribbon in the Sky
16. Beat It
17. Muscles
18. Endless Love
19. Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)
20. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
21. All for One

Night 1: July 21, 1983 (ended midway due to weather)

1. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
2. Home
3. Family
4. It’s My House
5. Let’s Go Up
6. Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)
7. Supremes Medley: Baby Love/Stop! In the Name of Love/Love is Like an Itching in My Heart
8. Endless Love
9. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough