Who IS that girl?

Given my previous rants about how much I hate image-over-substance, you may be surprised by this post. If there's anyone in the past 20 years that personifies a strong media image, it's good ol' Madge. I defy you to find another entertainer who's been better at marketing than Madonna.

But, you know what?

I have to differentiate her from the blonde bimbo crowd that dominates the media today. For one thing, she's been around for 20+ years. You don't do that without some semblance of talent. I highly doubt that Lindsay-Britney-Jessica-Lohan-Simpson will be around 20 years from now. And for another, she's an excellent performer live. When I go to see a concert, I want to be entertained. Too many times, I'll go to a show and the band will just plow through their set without even acknowledging the crowd or they'll rely on lights and fireworks to fool you into thinking they've got stage presence. Madonna actually puts together a show which actually pulls you into her world.

(Plus, she's HOT!)

Have you noticed that I've spent a few hundred words and haven't mentioned the music?

Well, here's where I feel like the vegetarian who wears leather...

As much as I admire her for these other things, I have to say that most of her music leaves me cold. The equation in my mind goes:

Madonna music + Madonna visuals = Entertainment

But

Madonna music + nothing = Not so much

Without music videos, I would venture to say that Madonna wouldn't have been as big of a hit as she was. She is someone who needs the visuals as much as the music. One without the other would make for a lesser thing.

BUT

There's two songs that I absolutely love of her's (even without the video). My favorite song is Live to Tell, which in my interpretation, is a bone-chilling tale of living with abuse. It's a goose-bump producing song. The other song is Crazy for you, which is an overwhelmingly sappy, romantic, bear hug of a song that makes me feel so good when I listen to it.

This is a two-fer post, with a couple of old concerts of hers. The first one, from 1987, is just a rip-roaring good time and the original concert I was going to post. It's a little rough as it's off of the radio, but still very listenable.

Then, I found the second one, from 1990, and I HAD to comment on it. Madonna's had her sexy, cool, (dare I say) MILF public image for so long that I was stunned when I heard this bootleg. This concert shows her in a goofy, girl's want to have fun persona. When you get to around track 13 (Material Girl), you'll see what I'm talking (or should I say tawk-ing) about. I'm getting dizzy trying to reconcile the New York, valley girl from 1990 with the more refined and mature Madonna of 2007. It's very fun to listen to. Plus, it's a very crisp soundboard, so take a spin with Madge!

Madonna - Who's That Girl Tour - Torino - 9-4-87

1 - TV intro (anyone speak Italian? Please translate if yes!)
2 - Open your heart
3 - Lucky star
4 - True blue
5 - Papa don't preach
6 - Interlude
7 - White heat
8 - Perry Mason theme
9 - Causing a commotion
10 - The look of love
11 - Dress you up
12 - Material girl
13 - Like a virgin / Can't help myself
14 - Where's the party
15 - Live to tell
16 - Into the groove
17 - La isla bonita
18 - Who's that girl
19 - Holiday
20 - Audience

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZNGRHKAP

Barcelona - July 31, 1990

1 - express yourself
2 - open your heart
3 - causing a commotion
4 - where's the party
5 - like a virgin
6 - like a prayer
7 - live to tell
8 - oh father
9 - papa don't preach
10 - sooner or later
11 - hanky panky
12 - now i'm following you
13 - material girl
14 - cherish
15 - into the groove
16 - vogue
17 - holiday
18 - keep it together

(Thanks to Mr Floyd for this one!)

http://rapidshare.com/files/28675174/Mad-1990-07-31-Barcelona-sgeltoob.rar