[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

Originally Posted by Nancy.

Yes, I screamed too, it's so accurate and not just about Ariana / Semolina fans either.

Gaga

[Saph]

MDNA a worldwide #1 coming?

[Samm]

I don’t search I find is now climbing the charts, madame x best song getting the justice it deserves

[Samm]

Originally Posted by Samm

I don’t search I find is now climbing the charts, madame x best song getting the justice it deserves

#4 in the UK!

[Nancy.]

Originally Posted by Samm

#4 in the UK!

Oh, that's interesting. I never thought it would do that well.

Meanwhile,. Bedtime Stories is still in the US top ten 48 hours later.

[Samm]

I don't search I find still in the top 10

[Nancy.]

World leaders pledge billions for vaccine fight

Some 40 countries and donors took part in an online summit hosted by the EU.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the money would help kickstart unprecedented global co-operation.

She said it showed the true value of unity and humanity, but warned much more would be needed in the days ahead.

In total, more than 30 countries, along with UN and philanthropic bodies and research institutes, made donations.

Donors also included pop singer Madonna, who pledged €1m ($1.1m), said Ms von der Leyen, who set out the Brussels-led initiative on Friday.

The European Commission pledged $1bn to fund research on a vaccine. Norway matched the European Commission's contribution, and France has pledged €500m, as have Saudi Arabia and Germany. Japan pledged more than $800m.

The US and Russia did not take part. China, where the virus originated in December, was represented by its ambassador to the European Union.

Of the money raised, $4.4bn will go on vaccine development, some $2bn on the search for a treatment and $1.6bn for producing tests, the EU said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52525387

Youtube video

[Nancy.]

Can't believe this was 25 ears ago...

Youtube video

[LukeB]

This isn’t shade, i’m wondering why bedtime stories was #1 on itunes (same as ABBA) are people downloading older albums to entertain themselves?

[Nancy.]

Originally Posted by LukeB

This isn’t shade, i’m wondering why bedtime stories was #1 on itunes (same as ABBA) are people downloading older albums to entertain themselves?

Well, tbh, Mariah Carey's fan's originally came up with the #JusticeforEMC2 idea a couple of weeks ago, and then her album went to #1. Then Madonna's fans heard about it and wanted to to the same with American Life, but since Bedtime Stories was already in the top 300's, they thought it best to try a #justiceforbedtimestories campaign instead and it worked.

[LukeB]

Originally Posted by Nancy.

Well, tbh, Mariah Carey's fan's originally came up with the #JusticeforEMC2 idea a couple of weeks ago, and then her album went to #1. Then Madonna's fans heard about it and wanted to to the same with American Life, but since Bedtime Stories was already in the top 300's, they thought it best to try a #justiceforbedtimestories campaign instead and it worked.

oh fair enough

I like Ray Of Life and Confessions, would i like Bedtime Stories?

[Nancy.]

Originally Posted by LukeB

oh fair enough

I like Ray Of Life and Confessions, would i like Bedtime Stories?

I'm not sure. It's R&B, and very laid-back compared to those. Some even say it's one of her worst albums, lol, but give it a try. You may like it.

[Saph]

Bedtime Stories is one of those ones you have to be in the mood to listen to. Apart from Secret they're all very chilled very 90s sounding

[LukeB]

I gave it a try and i actually liked it but i do agree with Saph that you need to be in that mood to listen to it. I saved most of the songs on my playlist though. At the moment Human Nature is my favourite from the album

[Nancy.]

Originally Posted by LukeB

I gave it a try and i actually liked it but i do agree with Saph that you need to be in that mood to listen to it. I saved most of the songs on my playlist though. At the moment Human Nature is my favourite from the album

I was quite surprised by this as I really didn't think you would like it.

Human Nature is great...

Youtube video

[Nancy.]

She says in her latest IG post that she had Covid19 7 weeks ago when she was on tour. Which explains why fans said she was coughing a lot during the Paris dates.

[Nancy.]

Katy Perry stanning Madonna and the ROL album...

[Saph]

queen of surviving covid

[Nancy.]

The Immaculate Collection is back in the UK charts again at 66.

https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/

[Nancy.]

Happy 30th Anniversary to Madonna’s I’m Breathless: Music from and Inspired by the Film ‘Dick Tracy’.

https://www.albumism.com/features/ma...-retrospective



1990 was most definitely a defining year in Madonna’s career. In fact, it may just be her most definitive. Fresh out of the career resplendent ‘80s and hot off the heels of the success of Like A Prayer (1989), Madonna entered 1990 with a massive bang by releasing “Vogue,” a song that remains synonymous with the singer until this very day. Paying homage to ballroom culture and with thumping house beats, “Vogue” was the epitome of what a classic dance track should and could be.

After the release of “Vogue" and its incomparable success, Madonna embarked on the now infamous Blonde Ambition Tour causing controversy wherever she went. The show had a heady focus on Religion, her Like A Prayer album and of course “Vogue,” but it also included three songs from her then upcoming film, Dick Tracy. Honoring her character, night club singer Breathless Mahoney, she wore a green showgirl outfit as she sang “Sooner Or Later,” “Hanky Panky” and “Now I’m Following You.” Both the stage and choreography were inspired by the classic movie performances of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and were an interesting departure from the rest of the show.

Given the high profile Madonna had at the time, coupled with the controversy surrounding her on stage performance of “Like A Virgin,” it not only seemed like a logical extension to hock her latest film and accompanying album, but it was also an incredibly smart business move. Dick Tracy was set in the 1930s and Madonna—who at the time had a hyper-sexualized, religious angst-riddled persona—seemed to be the furthest thing from the somewhat brassy, but gentle character of night club singer Breathless Mahoney. Whilst the film adaption of Mahoney was different from the original comic strip, Madonna again managed the unimaginable and brought not only a new dimension to Mahoney, but essentially also brought the character to life.

It’s true that I’m Breathless is a collection of big band pop songs that make up a film soundtrack, but more than this, the album finds Madonna taking on music by the legendary Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim, who is arguably one of the most important figures in musical theatre, contributed three tracks to the album; the sultry “Sooner Or Later,” the jazzy “More” and the beautiful duet with Mandy Patinkin, “What Can You Lose.” Madonna took to these songs like a duck to water and showed that pop was not her only repertoire. Her singing is given great range and she not only tackles genres like Jazz and Big Band, but conquers them with great aplomb.

As per usual, Madonna had an immense amount of input on the album, co-writing six of the album’s twelve songs and co-producing every track. Joined by (then) long time collaborators Patrick Leonard and Shep Pettibone, Madonna also managed to bring a playful vibe to the album. The seductiveness of the album opener “He’s A Man” also has a devilish element that allows for songs like “Hanky Panky,” a cheeky double entendre, to breathe life amongst its peers.

“I’m Going Bananas” provides a fun, lighthearted, almost Carmen Miranda-like energy with its latin flavored sound. The impassioned “Something To Remember” played to a conversation on self-love, a topic that Madonna would go on to explore more later in her career. Never one to sit in the “comfort zone,” as the album draws to a close, Madonna and then boyfriend and co-star Warren Beatty duet on the two-part “Now I’m Following You.” Part one continues the album’s big band theme before segueing into a ‘90s dance track for part two. Complete with background tap dancers, Madonna breathily quoting Socrates (“An unexamined life is not worth living”), another double entendre with Tracy’s first name (Dick) and a line from “Hanky Panky” (“My bottom just hurts thinking about it”) being morphed into a sexual mashup, Madonna again manages to get her exposition to the forefront.

Let’s be brutally honest here. Give or take one other legend (Diana Ross), not many other artists would tackle something like I’m Breathless—then or now. Madonna moved into unknown territory on this album and she delivered. Her vocal prowess may be at its finest on this album, but she also wasn’t afraid to venture into the serious and silly, even giving us a little camp, all things that made and make I’m Breathless a truly breathless exercise in sonic beauty.

[Nancy.]

Today marks the 1st anniversary of the underrated Madame X album.



Love it.

[Saph]

wow it has so much more meaning a year later too

[Nancy.]

Originally Posted by Saph

wow it has so much more meaning a year later too

Absolutely!
Have you listened to the album today, Saph?

[Samm]

after a year dark ballet and looking for mercy have really grown on me. superb tracks.

I wonder what the direction for the next album will be hoping something more experimental.

[Nancy.]

Originally Posted by Samm

after a year dark ballet and looking for mercy have really grown on me. superb tracks.

I wonder what the direction for the next album will be hoping something more experimental.

I was hoping she would make another dance album (Confessons part 2), but if her IG posts are any indication, it looks like she may continue down the political route again after the George Floyd murder and #blacklivesmatter protest.

I want something to dance to. I've had enough of politics and misery, tbh.