It is to Madonna's credit that we may never be able to separate the icon from her music
It is to Madonna's credit that we may never be able to separate the icon from her music. It is to her disadvantage that this doesn't always work in her favour. Take her latest live recording for instance, documenting the very lucrative Sticky & Sweet Tour.
Allegedly the most successful concert by a solo artist in history, it works in parts; specifically, the part on DVD.
u00a0
The accompanying CD fails to evoke much interest, despite a mild sprinkling of her greatest hits. Recorded in Buenos Aires over four days, it captures the excitement Madonna still generates among loyal fans. Sadly, it also reveals an artiste who has long run out of interesting things to say.
Stripped of the accompanying (if now familiar) visuals of a sprightly Madge striding across the stage, tracks like Music and She's Not Me never take off. Vogue 2008, which incorporates the beat of 4 Minutes effortlessly, is mildly pleasing on DVD, but a failure on CD, its phat beats drowning what was once a fabulous track to dance to. There are inexplicable omissions too, like Borderline, Ray Of Light and Like A Virgin 2008 -- all of which are present on the DVD. Even Don't Cry For Me Argentina, an obvious crowd-pleaser, is kept off the audio disc.
u00a0
The only track potentially saving it from oblivion, then, is a rousing version of La Isla Bonita. Considering her fairly large body of work, one good live track is criminal.
Fans who liked the last album, Hard Candy, may still find something to love about this release. Older fans may simply choose to evaluate the ageless Madonna dispassionately, as one of our last mega pop stars. Irrespective of which category you belong to, here's our verdict: Interesting DVD, unimpressive CD, recommended strictly for hardcore fans.
Sticky & Sweet Tour, Madonna, EMI, CD + DVD, Rs 595. Available at leading music stores
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
