MDNA - MADONNA DELIVERS

With the release of her twelfth studio album MDNA, Madonna has proven once again that she remains Queen of the Music World.   Ever able to evolve, Madonna keeps giving her fans what they have come to expect - the unexpected.   While most performers find success with a specific sound and tweak that again and again album after album, this pop icon is unique.   VARSITY CHEER ON THE MDNA TOURSuccess for Ms. Ciccone has come in a variety of music types and genres.   From the original pop and dance hits of Holiday, Borderline, and Like a Virgin, to the poignant ballads like This Used To Be My Playground, smooth crooning of Sooner or Later, or a romantic love-song like Masterpiece - Madonna clearly has never wanted to be a formulaic artist.   Sure patterns have emerged and there is a winning formula she has mixed album after album.   First of all, Madonna is all about lyrics.  Her songs are written from the heart.  Some have songs written for them but Madonna has only gotten more personal with every new album she writes.   Some songs unmistakably follow the trials of her real life.  Her collaborative efforts come in the form of producers, musicians, and DJ's, who help create new sounds and looks - one part classic Madonna - one part new sound.

MDNA is clearly the album written after a bitter divorce, as one picks themselves up and pushes on.  Song after song on the album mirrors Madonna's life post Guy Ritchie.  It's clear - this woman was angry, hurt, sorry, relieved, and at a loss.  Just as anyone who ends a serious relationship would be.   No better example -I Don't Give a... Madonna sings of a recently single mother with custody of the kids, juggling a busy career, settling with an ex without the benefit of a pre-nup.  Her clear message to the world,  she doesn't care what they think of her.   MADONNA - TURN UP THE RADIO - VIDEO - MDNASound familiar?   Rap/Pop phenom Nicki Minaj joins Madonna to sing of real girl power and also to kiss the ring of The Queen of Pop via an acerbic wit and catchy rhymes as only Minaj can do!  Minaj also joins MIA on the first single from the album  Give Me All Your Luvin - the cheerleader themed mash up of rap and roll that featured prominently in Madonna's half-time performance at the .. Super Bowl 46   The performance was a tour-de-force, albeit Madonna's somewhat stiff performance (rumored to be from a hamstring pull during rehearsal).    Entering the stadium on an Egyptian style barge pulled by dozens of muscled slaves ala Cleopatra - How else does a Queen enter a stadium?MADONNA BACKSTAGE - MDNA TOUR - 2012

At a time when so few people actually buy albums, it's harder and harder for artists to move CD's.   Despite the challenges, Madonna was able to see sales reach the top of the Billboard chart as MDNA deputed at #1 selling over 300,000 copies that week.   Of course her many detractors were quick to point out that Madonna "only" snagged this title by bundling album sales with ticket sales of her World tour to support the album.   How this was seen as a negative makes absolutely no sense.   Fans were anxious to spend hundreds of dollars around the world to see this artist perform - and it is supposed to be seen as a cop out? Ridiculous!NICKI MINAJ, MADONNA, & MIA - GIVE ME ALL YOUR LUVIN

I have to make a confession of my own.  As a huge fan of Madonna's work I think I am a harder critic than the average listener.  Whenever there is a new album I listen with hesitation, thinking "Is this the one that ends it?".   I'm always nervous that somehow Madonna will miss the mark and have lost her touch.  Shame on me.  That feeling I have is my own insecurity, knowing I'm no longer the teenager that fell in love with Madonna.   An artist that continues to evolve can never fail - and I'm happy to say - this is not the album that misses!

I will say - there is too many gun and shooting references on the album, and now in the world tour to support it.   Especially strange was Madonna's choice to open the tour in Tel Aviv, and then proceed to brandish machine guns in the show.  Especially strange.   Adding to the awkwardness is the horrific incident in Colorado in July when a crazed gunman opened fire at the first screenings of Batman- The Dark Knight Rises.   Pop stars automatic weapons sexy - not sexy or smart. 

Watch the gun-free video for Turn Up The Radio below.   Download the album or singles by clicking MDNA

MADONNA'S GIRL GONE WILD / REVOLVER

MADONNA - INTERVIEW MAGAZINE PH: MERT ALAS & MARCUS PIGGOTTI just came across this video footage from behind the scenes of the hottest photo shoot Madonna has done for Interview.   BETTIE PAGE - THE LEGENDFabien Baron shot the video, Mert Alas & Marcus  Piggott shot the pics for Interview, and Madonna brought all the sexy for these shots ala 60's glam.  Think one part Bettie Page and two parts Jayne Mansfield! The soundtrack is one of Madonna's biggest overlooked records in my book - REVOLVER.    For sure this shoot inspired Girl Gone Wild.  In fact, it was probably filmed at the same time.  Mert & Marcus directedJAYNE MANSFIELD GGW, and Madonna is famous for makingJAYNE MANSFIELD her projects work double duty.  Ms. M never wastes one minute.   Watch this as we all wait for the release of MDNA and all the full length tracks!  Guess who's not married anymore!!  Watch the clip below of the Interview shoot and then watch GGW below!

WHITNEY HOUSTON DEAD AT 48

The world lost another incredible talent on Saturday February 11th, 2012.   Singer Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.   The cause of death was not immediately known.   Her very public battle with drugs addiction was at the center of her life for more than a decade.   Having sold over 200 million records, Houston was a talent that will not soon be matched.   

I only saw Whitney in person once, about 8 years ago in Miami.  It was early on a weekday morning and I was heading to a business meeting.  I grabbed a quick coffee  in my hotel lobby and to my surprise,  I looked over to see Whitney sitting 3 stools away.   There was a presentation of some moderate fashion collection in the hotel that morning.  Whitney was sitting at the cafe counter, presumably waiting for someone.   Needless to say, she didn't look her best.   While she was beautiful, wearing white pants and a colorful top, with a matching pink sun visor - there was an agitated way about her.   She was digging in her handbag unlike you would expect a multi-platinum Grammy winner to look for something.   As I finished my coffee, I noticed that hotel management just recognizing her and starting to give her the royal welcome.   They were also obviously concerned with her demeanor and were giving her a really calm and sweet welcome.  I remember thinking how sad it was and how troubled she looked.

I want to remember the best of her work and the happiest times of her career.   I'm going to listen to her greatest hits right now.   Nobody did R&B dance music like Whitney!!  Watch one of my favorite Whitney videos below.

Deepest and most heart felt condolences to her family.