Moving on from that aborted BKK trip, one thing I am excited about is Amy Grant's live CD coming out in the US next week. The live recording spans 2 decades of Amy Grant classics, her first live recording since the 1980s actually. Live recordings are always a treat as they give old songs a fresh twist. And if the samples (currently "Saved by Love") on the new Amy Grant website are any indication, this one should be a good buy. Besides, I have fond memories of the time when she was in Manila for a series of concerts

It was right after the release of House of Love. I was dating somebody at that time, she too was a huge Amy Grant fan so it was rare treat for both of us. The concert was great and I thought she sounded much better live than on tape. It was her first, and probably the last she will perform in Manila as concert attendance was lackluster. Given the fact that Amy Grant was not a pop superstar even at the height of her popularity and that her recent crossover from CCM to pop has alienated a number of her "benevolent" fans, it was expected that attendance will not be superlative. To make matters worse, poor judgement had the local organziers setting her up to sing in one of Manila's humongous concert halls, on 3 dates! The place was virtually half empty even when there were about 3000 to 4000 fans in attendance. At least she took it all in good humour. At one point, Amy had to stop in the middle of a serious song because a cat (yes a cat!) was taking it's leisurely time walking at the edge of the stage, from one end to the other. Half suppressing a laugh, she blurted out,  "They let anybody in here!"

I am not exactly a fan of her most recent albums which I thought pandered too much on pop sensibilities. They were strong on musicality but weak on the sentiments (save maybe Behind the Eyes). For anybody familiar with her earlier works such as Unguarded, Straight Ahead and, of course, Lead Me On, you know what I mean. This new live recording covers a number of songs from those earlier years including a new version of "In a little while" from her Age to Age album. Brings back a ton of memories. Definitely something to be excited about. 

First ever review of Madonna's new album is out. Courtesy of The Sun UK. Includes a track by track review of the entire album.

ANYONE who thought MADONNA might have abdicated as the Queen of Pop can kneel at her throne once more. I’m the first journo IN THE WORLD to have heard her new album – and it is an absolute belter.

Do you think Madonna is still the Queen of Pop? Confessions On A Dance Floor wipes the, er, floor with her critically acclaimed CDs such as Ray Of Light. It is an hour of pure electronic dance/pop heaven.

Madonna says: “I want people to jump out of their seats. It’s about having a good time straight through and non-stop.”

And she’s absolutely right about that. There are no gaps between tracks so listening feels like you are having a private DJ session at the Ministry Of Sound. I can’t find a weak track, and I’m confident the album will be hailed a masterpiece on its November 14 release.

Below is my track-by-track guide, with ratings one out of ten.

Just for the Madge fans...otherwise move along.

Doesn't Madonna here bear a resemblance with Rose McGowan of Charmed?

My name is muddynights. I am Madonna junkie. My last Madonna album was Ray of Light.

Correction. I used to be a Madonna junkie - a clear indication of sexual ambiguity under the pretense of adolescent (and twenties) heterosexuality - until at least Ray of Light. Never mind Music and America Life (and include I am Breathless as well), the Madonna I used to groove to died after the power of goodbye. Maybe it's a sign of aging, (euphemistically referred to as "musical maturity'), but Madonna's recent albums just lack the edge that so characterized her earlier works. Apparently, Kabala, motherhood, and "Swept Away" has taken a toll on the girl who sang 'I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me'.

Where was the girl who screamed 'What do you mean it's not in the computer?!' as an Act of Contrition? Who lamented being 'too blind to see the writing on the wall'? Who declares that 'love fits virtue so hold on to the light'? A cowgirl Madonna? Come on. Even her videos have become pedestrian instead of raw. Her recent album covers are lackluster and unimaginative - devoid of the intense gaze you see in Like a Virgin, the smoldering seduction of Erotica, the sublime pretention in Evita.

Now with her latest album just coming out before Christmas (and every other LJ entry ecstatically extolling the virtues of the new album cover), I have to say that I'm not too impressed with Madonna's newest incarnation as a renewed disco queen. She look stiff and awkward. It screams John Travolta and Olivia Newton John with the passe creativity of a 70s hippie. It looks... amateurish. I hope the music's better than the album cover. Dance music, after all, is Madonna territory. I hope she still remembers how it is done properly.

My personal favorites -
5 Madonna albums: Ray of Light, Like a Prayer, Bedtime Stories, Something to Remember, True Blue

5 Album Covers: Like a Prayer, Madonna (The 1st Album), Erotica, Ray of Light, Like a Virgin
5 music videos: Human Nature, Rain, Like a Prayer, Power of Goodbye, Nothing Really Matters

Which Madonna album are you?

Before the juvenile Jessica Simpson mangled her way through it, the elegantly reckless Robbie Williams gave soul to this -

And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong

And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead