2008 music

 

Madonna, along with Michael Jackson and Prince, are the true superstars from the era before the internet who made these trail blazing songs and videos and lived lives we didn't really know about and understand. Look at George Michael. After Wham and Faith he decided not to make so much pop music, with an image, but to make music people wanted to buy. An album, not a collection of singles, and no pop videos. Prince abandoned the prince identity, in a much misunderstood campaign, to let his music be heard for what it was. 

2008 Madonna should be making music that is not heard on the radio, and certainly not with these ridiculous music videos. She should make albums that people can listen to and appreciate. And that is what takes artistry to a new level. Madonna, even after all these years, craves an audience.

When Prince abandoned the name and started using the symbol, the first song on that album was My Name Is Prince, also the lead single. The last song is Sacrifice Of Victor, which is taken as the interpretation of the symbol.

Then there was the whole Slave thing with Sony, on vinyl a slave, on stage free. George Michael went through the same thing with Sony. In his book he decided he didn't want to be a made up character anymore, his album Listen Without Prejudice, where no pics of him appear, and the songs are taken as what they are, including the single Freedom 90, are ground breaking. 

2008 Madonna, in still wanting to make vids and be seen as a young sexy woman, which she no longer is, has been holding in what could be her best lifetime work. She can be who she wants in her life, on stage, and now on record. But she still hangs on to this ridiculous image. She needs to do what George and Prince did and give it up.

Prince has taken his music and performance to a whole new level. What he doesn't do is play that Prince character that he did as a young man, doesn't have huge hit singles and doesn't make videos. 

What Madonna is doing here, rather than evolving like Prince, is stuck in a time warp where she thinks she is still a young sexy woman making pop videos. She needed to hand that to Britney and the young generation and let herself evolve. After all the Erotica album and book, which was groundbreaking, she settled down and her next album was Ray Of Light, an older more mature album. I would like to see another Ray Of Light from her. Nobody wants to see her try and do another Erotica. Not now.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

 "The sun was shining on the sea,

      Shining with all his might:

He did his very best to make

      The billows smooth and bright —

And this was odd, because it was

      The middle of the night.

The moon was shining sulkily,

      Because she thought the sun

Had got no business to be there

      After the day was done —

"It's very rude of him," she said,

      "To come and spoil the fun."

The sea was wet as wet could be,

      The sands were dry as dry.

You could not see a cloud, because

      No cloud was in the sky:

No birds were flying overhead —

      There were no birds to fly.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

      Were walking close at hand;

They wept like anything to see

      Such quantities of sand:

If this were only cleared away,'

      They said, it would be grand!'

If seven maids with seven mops

      Swept it for half a year,

Do you suppose,' the Walrus said,

      That they could get it clear?'

I doubt it,' said the Carpenter,

      And shed a bitter tear.

O Oysters, come and walk with us!'

      The Walrus did beseech.

A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,

      Along the briny beach:

We cannot do with more than four,

      To give a hand to each.'

The eldest Oyster looked at him,

      But never a word he said:

The eldest Oyster winked his eye,

      And shook his heavy head —

Meaning to say he did not choose

      To leave the oyster-bed.

But four young Oysters hurried up,

      All eager for the treat:

Their coats were brushed, their faces washed,

      Their shoes were clean and neat —

And this was odd, because, you know,

      They hadn't any feet.

Four other Oysters followed them,

      And yet another four;

And thick and fast they came at last,

      And more, and more, and more —

All hopping through the frothy waves,

      And scrambling to the shore.

The Walrus and the Carpenter

      Walked on a mile or so,

And then they rested on a rock

      Conveniently low:

And all the little Oysters stood

      And waited in a row.

The time has come,' the Walrus said,

      To talk of many things:

Of shoes — and ships — and sealing-wax —

      Of cabbages — and kings —

And why the sea is boiling hot —

      And whether pigs have wings.'

But wait a bit,' the Oysters cried,

      Before we have our chat;

For some of us are out of breath,

      And all of us are fat!'

No hurry!' said the Carpenter.

      They thanked him much for that.

A loaf of bread,' the Walrus said,

      Is what we chiefly need:

Pepper and vinegar besides

      Are very good indeed —

Now if you're ready, Oysters dear,

      We can begin to feed.'

But not on us!' the Oysters cried,

      Turning a little blue.

After such kindness, that would be

      A dismal thing to do!'

The night is fine,' the Walrus said.

      Do you admire the view?

It was so kind of you to come!

      And you are very nice!'

The Carpenter said nothing but

      Cut us another slice:

I wish you were not quite so deaf —

      I've had to ask you twice!'

It seems a shame,' the Walrus said,

      To play them such a trick,

After we've brought them out so far,

      And made them trot so quick!'

The Carpenter said nothing but

      The butter's spread too thick!'

I weep for you,' the Walrus said:

      I deeply sympathize.'

With sobs and tears he sorted out

      Those of the largest size,

Holding his pocket-handkerchief

      Before his streaming eyes.

O Oysters,' said the Carpenter,

      You've had a pleasant run!

Shall we be trotting home again?'

      But answer came there none —

And this was scarcely odd, because

      They'd eaten every one."