Don't you know that Madonna is the second coming of Christ?

I'm only half joking... ;)

I respect JR's love of Madonna and often duplicate it myself.

Btw. speaking of "Greatest Hits" albums, Bob Marley's "Legend" is the one who usually performs best in those surveys. (Personally I don't find it flawless, as it contains nothing from his IMO two best albums, "Rastaman Vibration" and "Survival")

I'd put Madonna in front of Depinche Mode, New Order and the Cure any time. It's because of these Jason Bently synth pussies that all these idiotic 80 fads are coming back to haunt us.

The most 80s synth influenced album of 2005 was released by...... Madonna.....

She's a soloist. That doesn't count!!!!!!!!

I'm all for the 80s synth revival. That's my favorite kind of music.

Bingo. However, the old favourites from the 80s seem to have partly lost their songwriting touch, and Electroclash is too "cold" and depressive. So strangely, it seems the new electro pop albums from the likes of Madonna, Annie and Bertine Zetlitz (those who love Annie should definitely check out Bertine Zetlitz) are the ones I have liked best so far :)

hasa feature on Madonna's 5 best albums- and The Immaculate Collection is tops, ahead of Madonna, Likea Prayer, Ray of Light and Erotica (don't agree with the last choice, but whatever). This is the text (though I wouldn't agree with "Rescue Me" as a key track, amidst an album full of classics):
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Probably one of the most perfect greatest hits albums ever made, The Immaculate Collection is all killer and no filler. Every track represents the best pop music of its time, from the bouncy "Holiday," to the controversy-baiting "Papa Don't Preach," all the way to the sleazy thrills of "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me." Even better is the fact that each track is presented in its original single form, remastered and remixed — the new mixes are very subtle, except for the thrillingly beat-heavy version of "Like a Prayer." Purists could quibble that the edits fade out too early, but if you want the longer, less vibrant originals, buy the albums. If you want the optimized essence of Madonna's best career chapter, this is where you turn.

Key Tracks: "Justify My Love," "Rescue Me," "Vogue," and "Like a Prayer"

Then, how about the original 7 inch edits? The ones that aren't available anywhere except on ancient 45s? Isn't it about time that they are being available as well?

No, those versions are NOT included on "The Immaculate Collection", not a single one of them. "The Immaculate Collection" is basically a collection of Shep Pettibone remixes of old Madonna hits.

they're not really *remixes*- when I think of remixes, I think of drastically different-sounding versions, of which the versions on TIC are not (outside of Prayer and Express Yourself- they are dance mixex, but the integrity of the originals are not lost).

However, "True Blue" is not at all represented on the collection, in spite of it being a UK #1. The 7 inch mix was radically different, and is still not available on CD anywhere.

Also "Into The Groove" was radically different on "The Immaculate Collection", adding a piano solo that was originally on her dance collection among other things. Not to mention the addition of more synths on "Borderline" and the completely new snare drum sounds on "Holiday".

Regardless of whether they are complete remixes or not, the versions of some songs on TIC are not the ones people heard on the radio and loved. In my opinion, they are all worse than those versions, and it's sort of a disservice to buys to have those 'remixed' versions on there.

if moi, being the M admirer I am, can enjoy listening to TIC as much as I do, then I'm sure that most casual fans don't have a problem in the listening experience- and that is the point of a compilation, after all. Again, most aren't going to pick up on the subtle differences for some of the tracks (outside maybe Prayer and Express).

For me, it's a tight listen of the songs that were cultural definers of that era. Look at GHV2- it's the original-original versions of the tracks- some cut down in the editing process, of course- and as a compilation, it doesn't work as well as TIC, despite housing some very strong material.

For purists, having the songs the exact way they sounded when they were played on the radio IS important and will ALWAYS be important.

19 years have passed since the release of the 7 inch version of "True Blue", and other than an extended version as a bonus track on the "True Blue" album, the version (which was radically different from the album version also used on the video) has yet to appear on CD, 19 years on.

Btw, speaking of "Express Yourself", the single version was sort of a cross in-between the album version and the "Immaculate Collection" version. It had the "Come on girls! Do you believe in love!" intro, but then went into the dance oriented version found on "Immaculate Collection"

I guess what is needed is a 3 or 4 CD Madonna hits collection bringing ALL her hits, in their original 7 inch edit versions. This also includes hits such as "True Blue", "The Gambler", "Dress You Up", "Angel", "Dear Jessie", "Oh Father", "Keep It Together", "Causing a Commotion", "Who's That Girl", "The Look Of Love" and "Hanky Panky", none of which were available on "The Immaculate Collection".

purists. :)

I'm still not even sure I know which True Blue you're talking about- some putrist I am. ;)

RE Express Yourself single version- are you speaking of the 7" edit that appeared on the 45? That's my favorite version (and the one used in the video- the one that appears on the Immaculate home video).

BTW- did you notice that the Lucky Star video on the DVD is a different edit? Strange, since the origianl one was used on the VHS. Then, of course, the DVD has things wrong, such as a couple of years for the videos. LOL

Videos often use somewhat different versions from the "official" 7 inch ones.

And, yes, I am always speaking of the 45 versions, until the 45 disappeared, that is.

that about Lucky Star because the "official" one had been used on the VHS, so I don't know why the alternate take was on the DVD- knowing WB, it was not intentional. :)