kesiak

There really is no need for this kind of language.

To say that it "destroyed the art of photography" is a bit dramatic and, in my opinion, not true. There are tons of photographers out there who don't retouch their work at all, it's really down to personal preference, the type of photography you do, the intent of the photo and what client is expecting of you. I'm a full time photographer myself and I'm often asked by clients to alter images in a way that's too much for my taste, but in the end it's what the client wants so, like a good hooker, I grin, bear it and take the money . Photo manipulation is as old as photography itself, the only thing that's changed is technology. Yes, it was trickier to retouch before digital, a lot of the work was done on negatives (especially in the Old Hollywood days) but, as in modern times, there have been people who were better at it and others who went way overboard (apparently there are negatives of Mae West where she's so altered that her bracelets seem to be floating mid-air). It's also good to bear in mind that digital is far harsher on skin tones than film (and therefore might require more work in post). Some photographers want to capture bare reality without much interference in post (Nan Goldin is a great example) and there are others who are more interested in creating a new world with their work (Tim Walker, David LaChapelle, Mert & Marcus). There's no right or wrong, it's all art in the end.

It was definitely a huge hit. Apart from radio play, I also remember numerous articles in European music press of the day (Bravo, Popcorn) with stills from the video about how Madonna was toning her image down because she knows she went too far with Justify My Love and Truth or Dare. Little did they know...

Or maybe she just likes jewellery?

Guess she's had that thyroid problem since the 90s...

I think to me it's more about the intention behind the album. Would we get it had it not been attached to the movie? No, the sole existence of "I'm Breathless" is to accompany Dick Tracy. Therefore I've never seen it as one of Madonna's studio albums. I don't see why this distinction is that important really. Either way, it's flawless .

Erotica is and has always been perfect, and yes, that means including Did You Do it? (the lyrics are hilarious and you just can't deny that groove). I see where you're coming from however. I do have a playlist where I added Goodbye To Innocence and This Used To Be My Playground, I feel these are the only officially released songs that can possibly be added to the track listing as they were recorded during the Erotica studio sessions. Rescue Me sticks out like a sore thumb here and Justify My Love has a completely different vibe. Like you say, it's sensual, there's warmth to it while the whole Erotica album has a much more detached and cool/cold vibe to me.

Interesting. I don't have an issue with Madonna's vocal on Love Don't Live Here Anymore, perhaps I didn't express myself correctly. And I agree that emotion and rawness are often more important than technical perfection. It would be a very different vocal had she re-recorded it in 1995 indeed. I just don't care too much about her version of it overall. As for Don't Cry For Me Argentina, I love Sinead's take on it but I'll take Madonna's over Patti's, Elaine Page's or Judy Covington's. That's probably blasphemy for some but I find Madonna's version more emotional, perhaps due to the key being lower. Page is my favourite Evita overall though.

Yup, 100% 1984 vocals on this. I love the original Rose Royce version and I don't mind the Soulpower Remix of Madonna's but what you can clearly hear in M's version is precisely the lack of vocal training at that point - she pretty much shouts throughout the end of the song. And, while enjoyable, there's literally nothing avant-garde about M's version. Also, Liz Smith (a journalist and gossip columnist who's never been M's assistant by the way) refers to "second single" and that was "One More Chance" .

And no Mariah either - his remix of "Someday" was super popular and helped get the song to #1 on Billboard.

I don't think he reached his fundraising goal?

I actually listen to vinyl all the time and I much prefer it to digital. I enjoy the ritual around putting a record on, having tangible artwork, etc. It's good for the soul. But I understand everyone has different preferences.

The crystal clear vinyl pressings used previous masters if I'm not mistaken (same masters as the 2012 re-presses).

Source?

It leaked, it's out there. The mix is slightly different from he album version.

That's so true. I also feel Hard Candy has aged much better as an album than some might've expected at the time of its release. Confessions was the last time Madonna was so universally loved, commercially successful and critically acclaimed all at once and I think that helps romanticise that record/era. Some mediocre lyrics aside, I personally much prefer Hard Candy's sound and production and listen to it way more often than Confessions. Having said that, I do remember thinking back in the spring of 2008 that she doesn't sound like "Madonna" but then again, I thought that too when I first heard Erotica.

Uhm, you're ok @godx?

Depth, or lack thereof, is one thing. Peddling completely false, and at times troubling narrative is another. I don't mind artistic licences being taken when movies are made, I understand how story telling works - it's not a documentary, but Bohemian Rhapsody is so far removed from reality in many respects, it barely deserves to be considered a "biopic". I thought the complete straight washing of Freddie's sexuality, obsessive focus on the ex-girlfriend and the way his diagnosis is revealed, was patronising and disrespectful not only to his legacy but also to gay men in general, especially those who suffered from AIDS. The only redeeming part of the movie for me was the last 20 mins at Wembley, but if I wanted to watch Queen live, I'd have gone on YouTube and watched the original performance. Also, Malek's prosthetic teeth were distracting .

"Good" and "successful" don't have to go hand in hand - Bohemian Rhapsody is an awful, awful movie yet it was incredibly successful commercially .

You're completely misrepresenting what he meant - he posted that in response to somebody saying that Madonna has never used sex to sell her music or advance her career. He didn't mean it in derogatory way at all if you look at the whole thread, in fact, he clearly sees it as a celebratory and empowering thing.

Didn't that happen after she had Lourdes though? She said that after becoming a mother she became more curious about the meaning of our existence and was wondering what she could teach her daughter (or something to that effect).

Meh.

This Used To Be.. was before the album, summer of 1992 release. Then Erotica, the song, in late September '92.

Same, I saw her in London and it was the best she's ever sounded live (and it definitely was live).