Have You Confessed?
No LJ-cut, just deal :)
07/16/06-Madonna-Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Wow, well, I don’t know where to start or what to say that could succinctly tell you how much I enjoyed seeing Madonna live for the first (and probably last, just because of finances) time. Call me a sentimental fool, but I actually got teary-eyed and choked up when she first came out onto the stage. And I know I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating, I’ve been a fan since I was FIVE! If you do the math, then that means I’ve been listening to her as long as some of my LJ friends have been born and are now adults. Does that make me feel old? Not really. It actually makes me glad to say that I’ve followed the career of one of the classics. I mean, really, what kid in today’s society is going to be able to say that about someone coming out of 2000's?
Nostalgia and my personal feelings about Madonna aside, Madonna really sings and performs her heart out. The fact that she’s been making music this long and that she’s still maintaining interest for 20+ years is astounding. And, seeing her performing these songs, put faces and/or characteristics to these songs, she makes them come to life in a way that I’ve only dreamed about.
For example, the whole bit of her being on the cross and the right-wingers getting their panties in bunch is blown way out of proportion and, you guessed it, is taken way out of context. Before this song, it appears to me that there are three “confessions” (if you will) from three members of her dance corps. After you hear their confession and what they’ve struggled to overcome, you get to see them shine in this amazing dancing spotlight. After this, you see Madonna brought up from the floor to the cross, singing “Live To Tell.” And, really, she’s using the image of the cross, but metaphorically stating that every single one of us has this guilt, these things that burden us or shame us, and that we shouldn’t have to do it alone. At least, that’s how I saw it. My mom even agreed with me that it was quite a powerful moment in the show. (BTW, I find it interesting that this is exactly what Tori Amos was striving for in her song “Crucify,” and that certainly wasn’t lost on me. I really think that their musical thread is closer than many people realize.)
I never really was a fan of “Isaac” before, but after seeing a live version of this, its spiritual and political meaning hit me like a ton of bricks. I don’t know that I can articulate it, but it basically made me feel like a fool for never really hearing what Madonna was saying here. All this religious oppression for any sect that’s different from the norm, it’s just not right. Nevermind the impact of seeing a young woman covered in one of those grey prison robes dancing her heart out to escape was so strong.
As much as this performance seemed politically and socially-driven, Madonna was all about having a good time. She emphasized it twice. And, dude, after paying nearly $400 for a ticket, I’d think the whole place would be up dancing. I know I was (and looked like a fool), but I couldn’t help it. She pulls it out of me. In fact, as hot as it was in the auditorium (due to minimal air conditioning), her desire for wanting it to feel like an ‘80s dance club felt proper. It would’ve been a bit weird to me dancing in frigid air. There was a certain amorous or sultry vibe to the air that would’ve been missing if it had been, dare I say, comfortable.
Madonna also did some great remixed versions of her classics, “Like a Virgin,” “La Isla Bonita,” “Lucky Star,” and “Erotica.” She also spiced up her current singles with an even more disco flavor.
If I had one complaint about the show, I’d have to say that I didn’t feel a proper closure to the show. From the live concerts I’ve watched on TV or on DVD, she’s bowed to the audience and with her dance group. I didn’t see any of that, so when “Hung Up” was the last and final song, I was slightly caught off-guard. Mom said that she thinks encores are overrated, which I can agree to an extent, but I still wish I had known that that was it. But I went into this not reading any setlists (or spoilers, if you will), so yeah. But that’s if I had to complain. :p
All in all, I have to say that she’s worth every penny that I spent on her and was worth the wait. If I had been made of money before I had access to see her live, I can tell you that this wouldn’t have been my first or last time seeing her. She really puts on a performance that will leave an imprint on my childhood psyche for many more years to come. And, when you’re paying that much to see a singer/songwriter dance and entertain, as well as sing, then you better damn well be entertained and feel like she’s wanting to be there as well. I definitely felt that Madonna wanted to be there, and she did perform her heart out. There are musicians out there who will just play and sing the music, but many who don’t have passion.
Oh, the setlist in case you’re too lazy to google it (like I would be):
Future Lovers
I Feel Love
Get Together
Like a Virgin
Jump
Live to Tell/Confessions Transition
Live To Tell
Forbidden Love
Isaac/Shofar
Sorry
Like it or Not
Sorry Remix Krump Transition
I Love NY
Ray of Light
Let It Will Be
Drowned World
Paradise Not For Me
Music Inferno
La Isla Bonita
Erotica Disco Mix
Lucky Star
Hung Up
07/16/06-Madonna-Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Wow, well, I don’t know where to start or what to say that could succinctly tell you how much I enjoyed seeing Madonna live for the first (and probably last, just because of finances) time. Call me a sentimental fool, but I actually got teary-eyed and choked up when she first came out onto the stage. And I know I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating, I’ve been a fan since I was FIVE! If you do the math, then that means I’ve been listening to her as long as some of my LJ friends have been born and are now adults. Does that make me feel old? Not really. It actually makes me glad to say that I’ve followed the career of one of the classics. I mean, really, what kid in today’s society is going to be able to say that about someone coming out of 2000's?
Nostalgia and my personal feelings about Madonna aside, Madonna really sings and performs her heart out. The fact that she’s been making music this long and that she’s still maintaining interest for 20+ years is astounding. And, seeing her performing these songs, put faces and/or characteristics to these songs, she makes them come to life in a way that I’ve only dreamed about.
For example, the whole bit of her being on the cross and the right-wingers getting their panties in bunch is blown way out of proportion and, you guessed it, is taken way out of context. Before this song, it appears to me that there are three “confessions” (if you will) from three members of her dance corps. After you hear their confession and what they’ve struggled to overcome, you get to see them shine in this amazing dancing spotlight. After this, you see Madonna brought up from the floor to the cross, singing “Live To Tell.” And, really, she’s using the image of the cross, but metaphorically stating that every single one of us has this guilt, these things that burden us or shame us, and that we shouldn’t have to do it alone. At least, that’s how I saw it. My mom even agreed with me that it was quite a powerful moment in the show. (BTW, I find it interesting that this is exactly what Tori Amos was striving for in her song “Crucify,” and that certainly wasn’t lost on me. I really think that their musical thread is closer than many people realize.)
I never really was a fan of “Isaac” before, but after seeing a live version of this, its spiritual and political meaning hit me like a ton of bricks. I don’t know that I can articulate it, but it basically made me feel like a fool for never really hearing what Madonna was saying here. All this religious oppression for any sect that’s different from the norm, it’s just not right. Nevermind the impact of seeing a young woman covered in one of those grey prison robes dancing her heart out to escape was so strong.
As much as this performance seemed politically and socially-driven, Madonna was all about having a good time. She emphasized it twice. And, dude, after paying nearly $400 for a ticket, I’d think the whole place would be up dancing. I know I was (and looked like a fool), but I couldn’t help it. She pulls it out of me. In fact, as hot as it was in the auditorium (due to minimal air conditioning), her desire for wanting it to feel like an ‘80s dance club felt proper. It would’ve been a bit weird to me dancing in frigid air. There was a certain amorous or sultry vibe to the air that would’ve been missing if it had been, dare I say, comfortable.
Madonna also did some great remixed versions of her classics, “Like a Virgin,” “La Isla Bonita,” “Lucky Star,” and “Erotica.” She also spiced up her current singles with an even more disco flavor.
If I had one complaint about the show, I’d have to say that I didn’t feel a proper closure to the show. From the live concerts I’ve watched on TV or on DVD, she’s bowed to the audience and with her dance group. I didn’t see any of that, so when “Hung Up” was the last and final song, I was slightly caught off-guard. Mom said that she thinks encores are overrated, which I can agree to an extent, but I still wish I had known that that was it. But I went into this not reading any setlists (or spoilers, if you will), so yeah. But that’s if I had to complain. :p
All in all, I have to say that she’s worth every penny that I spent on her and was worth the wait. If I had been made of money before I had access to see her live, I can tell you that this wouldn’t have been my first or last time seeing her. She really puts on a performance that will leave an imprint on my childhood psyche for many more years to come. And, when you’re paying that much to see a singer/songwriter dance and entertain, as well as sing, then you better damn well be entertained and feel like she’s wanting to be there as well. I definitely felt that Madonna wanted to be there, and she did perform her heart out. There are musicians out there who will just play and sing the music, but many who don’t have passion.
Oh, the setlist in case you’re too lazy to google it (like I would be):
Future Lovers
I Feel Love
Get Together
Like a Virgin
Jump
Live to Tell/Confessions Transition
Live To Tell
Forbidden Love
Isaac/Shofar
Sorry
Like it or Not
Sorry Remix Krump Transition
I Love NY
Ray of Light
Let It Will Be
Drowned World
Paradise Not For Me
Music Inferno
La Isla Bonita
Erotica Disco Mix
Lucky Star
Hung Up