madonnalicious

Madonna: I'm Not A Control Freak

Madonna has denied rumours that she is a "control freak" in the studio.
The singer insisted that she loves to collaborate with other people and values their input on her work.
She told Sirius Radio host Larry Flick: "You know, I hate to use the word 'control' so much, because people use and bandy that word about with me, when it comes to my creative life.
"Everyone says, 'Oh, you're a control freak and you like to be in control'. The thing is, everything I do, even my songwriting, I'm collaborating at all times. I value input from people, and I want it."
Madonna has worked with artists including Nicki Minaj, MIA, Mika and LMFAO on her 12th studio album MDNA, which is released on March 26 in the UK and a day later in the US. She has also collaborated with producers William Orbit, Benny Bennassi and Martin Solveig.
She added: "I can't work on my own. I am not Prince or like a lot of artists, who can go in and play every instrument, and record a track, and not hear from people. I need to hear what people think all the time."

From Digital Spy

Monte Pittman on working and touring with Madonna

A lot of musicians start their careers working at Guitar Center, dreaming of the days when they can ditch the time clock and make it on their own, playing with the big names in the big arenas. Rock guitarist and songwriter Monte Pittman has been there and done that. He's now known for his work with Madonna, Adam Lambert, Prong, and his two solo albums, 'The Deepest Dark' and 'Pain, Love & Destiny.'
Monte also made headlines when he raised $65,500 on Kickstarter for his second album, exceeding his goal of $5k and making him the top rock musician to ever raise the most money on the crowd-funding platform.
Monte takes a break from is busy schedule to talk about touring with Madonna this year, playing the Super Bowl, being honored with his own MPS Series from Jarrell Guitars, and what he has planned for his next album.

You have played on every live tour with Madonna since 2001. How did you get your start as a touring musician with her?
Monte: I started giving her guitar lessons and from there she asked me to go on tour and play guitar for her. I've played guitar for her since then. In the past I would play with Prong in between but now I've really been hitting it hard with my own stuff.

You performed at the 2012 Super Bowl with Madonna. Can you share a behind-the-scenes story from that day?
Monte: We rehearsed constantly up until the day of the show. There were so many people involved in the show; I didn't even meet them all. Playing the Super Bowl is about unity. It's the moment where everyone comes together and puts the rivalry of both teams aside. The atmosphere was very calm. I think just about anyone that I've ever known saw it.

Are you working on any new projects? Any tour dates coming up?
Monte: I'm going on tour with Madonna again. The dates are on her website. I'm deeply in love with her new album. It's one of my favorite things she's ever done. You can listen to all of the singles individually, but I like listening to entire albums. I think these are some of her deepest lyrics I've heard from her.
I'm blown away and can't wait to play some of this stuff live. For me, it kind of sums up everything we all have ever loved about her in one. As soon as I'm done with all of this, I'm making my third album. It's written. It just needs to be recorded. I've already started making the blueprint for it. When that comes out, I'm putting myself on whatever tour I can book - however I can.

To read the rest of the interview visit voices.yahoo.com/monte-pittman

Madonna: The Complete Studio Albums 1983-2008

As the world’s biggest selling female artist of all time Madonna is not just the Queen of Pop but one of the most influential artists on modern music. Since her debut album, released in 1983, she has worked tirelessly to reinvent herself and her music through three extremely successful decades and has built a huge and dedicated fan base worldwide.

On Friday March 9th 2012 Warner Music UK will release Madonna - The Complete Studio Albums (1983 – 2008), an amazing 11CD Limited-Edition collection featuring all of Madonna’s studio albums from the first 25 years of her legendary career.

Housed in a clamshell box, with albums in paper sleeves, this is a brilliantly compact set and a perfect way to own Madonna’s amazing catalogue.

NOTE: The set includes the re-mastered and expanded versions of Madonna, Like a Virgin and True Blue.

HMV.co.uk are currently listing this set retailing at £26.99.

Thanks to Ben and Ste

W.E. Music from the Motion Picture Available on iTunes now

Fans can now preview songs from W.E. (Music from the Motion Picture) by Abel Korzeniowski on the iTunes Store. Preview, buy, and download W.E. (Music from the Motion Picture) for $11.99. Songs start at just $1.29.

UK fans can download it from itunes.apple.com/gb/album/w.e.

Thanks to Ben and Daniel

Give Me All Your Luvin' Video Preview

A small teaser preview of Madonna's Give Me All Your Luvin' video has been broadcast in an advert for American Idol. A longer preview of the video will air on the show on Thursday 02 February.

Give Me All Your Luvin' Official Press Release

MDNA New Studio Album For Interscope Records To Be Released March 26th

Limited Time iTunes Pre-Order of Exclusive MDNA Deluxe Edition Begins Feb. 3rd

AMERICAN IDOL To Air Exclusive Video Preview of Single on Thursday, Feb. 2nd

Madonna will be releasing her new single 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' featuring Nicki Minaj & M.I.A. on February 3rd, three days before her highly anticipated Bridgestone Super Bowl halftime performance, it was officially confirmed by Interscope Records. 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' is the first single from Madonna's upcoming album MDNA , her 12th studio album and follow up to 2008's Hard Candy which debuted at No. 1 in 37 countries. The song was written by Madonna, Martin Solveig, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A, composed by Martin Solveig and Michael Tordjman and produced by Madonna and Martin Solveig.
iTunes will offer an exclusive global pre-order of an 18 track Deluxe Edition of MDNA including one exclusive remix from Madonna's new album. The bonus remix will be available from Friday, February 3rd through Monday, February 6th only. During this time period the album will be available for $9.99 and fans will also receive the digital single 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' immediately. This single is also exclusive to iTunes during this limited time. At launch, the offer can be found at www.iTunes.com/Madonna
The video for "Give Me All Your Luvin',' directed by Megaforce, is football and cheerleader themed - inspired by her upcoming Super Bowl appearance. In an AMERICAN IDOL exclusive, Madonna will world preview the video for her new single 'Give Me All Your Luvin',' featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., during IDOL Thursday, Feb. 2 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The full video for 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' will premiere on Madonna's YouTube channel on February 3rd at 9am EST/6am PST www.youtube.com/Madonna
MDNA, recorded in New York and LA, reunites Madonna with former collaborator William Orbit ('Ray of Light') who co-wrote and co-produced several cuts on the new album. Other co producers include Martin Solveig, The Demolition Crew, Marco 'Benny' Benassi and Alessandro 'Alle' Benassi, Hardy 'Indiigo' Muanza, Michael Malih and Madonna.
The Golden Globe Award winning song 'Masterpiece' from the Madonna directed Weinstein Company film 'W.E.' which opens in February is also included on MDNA as well as on W.E. - Music From the Soundtrack which is scheduled to be released on January 31st at digital retailers on Interscope as well. The Compact Disc version of the soundtrack is scheduled to be released exclusively at Amazon.com on February 14th. The score was composed, orchestrated and produced by Abel Korzeniowski.
Madonna is scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Show on January 30th.

From Interscope Records / PRNewswire

M.D.N.A. Teaser Clip

Madonna's official YouTube channel posted this M.D.N.A. teaser video clip.

Madonna Calls M.D.N.A. 'Action-Packed'

Madonna has teased fans not only inadvertently with a leaked demo of her first single for 'Gimme All Your Luvin,' but also with 'Masterpiece' (which also appears on the soundtrack for her film, 'W.E.'). So far it seems that the two very different tracks show the two very different sides that the Queen of Pop is pursuing on her next studio release, M.D.N.A.
While 'Gimme' plays up Madge's playful, upbeat persona, 'Masterpiece,' as she explained to MTV News, is a different story. ''Masterpiece' is one of the few kind of more down-tempo songs, more reflective,' she told MTV News at the New York City premiere of 'W.E.'
'I think the majority of the record is more action-packed,' she teased. 'More high-energy.' It seems, then, that what fans have heard of 'Gimme' is more of what they will hear on the album.
It features production from Martin Solveig on its lead single, which gets some presumably sassy assists from two fierce female MCs, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Both ladies will reportedly take the stage with the pop icon to perform the track at the Super Bowl halftime show.
Madonna also worked with longtime collaborator and Ray Of Light producer William Orbit, who produced the Golden Globe-winning 'Masterpiece.' 'We've worked on stuff for so many years that we kind of finish each other's sentences. He knows my taste and what I like,' she explained at the premiere. 'Magic happens when we get into a recording studio together.'
At the Globes, Madonna recalled how 'Masterpiece' came together. '[My manager Guy Oseary] harangued me for the entire time I was filming and editing my movie to write a song,' she said during her acceptance speech for Best Original Song. 'And I said, 'Please, Guy, I'm trying to focus on being a director and I want people to pay attention to the film and I don't have time.' So then I finished the film and I started making my record and somehow magically and miraculously the song emerged, 'Masterpiece,' so thank you, Guy Oseary, for being so irritating.'

From MTV.com

Madonna Made 'Magic' With William Orbit On M.D.N.A.

Madonna is readying the release of her album M.D.N.A., and for it she headed back into the studio with a familiar face. She hooked up once again with producer William Orbit, who worked on a number of tracks on the album, including her Golden Globe Award-winning 'Masterpiece.'
The relationship between Madonna and Orbit has been a fruitful one. He produced most of the songs on 1998's Ray of Light, including 'Ray of Light,' 'Nothing Really Matters,' 'Frozen' and 'The Power of Good-bye.' The album later won several Grammy Awards and VMAs.
Their work together didn't end there. One year later, they produced Madge's 'Austin Powers' soundtrack song, 'Beautiful Stranger,' which nabbed a Grammy Award in 2000. In the years since, she worked with Orbit on several unreleased tracks.
So, when it came to their latest collaboration, words weren't needed. 'With William, I didn't really have a discussion,' she told MTV News at the New York premiere of 'W.E.' 'We've worked on stuff for so many years that we kind of finish each other's sentences. He knows my taste and what I like.'
With 'Masterpiece' serving as a tease, the singer later added, 'Magic happens when we get into a recording studio together.'
As fans prep for the release of her studio album, they can look forward to her halftime Super Bowl performance and her video for the Martin Solveig-produced 'Gimme All Your Luvin' (which also features Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.).

From MTV.com

Madonna Teases 'Pom Poms' For Super Bowl, New Video

Madonna is nearing both the release of her 'Give Me All Your Luvin' music video, as well as her highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance. And it seems that these two milestones will have a few things in common.
First off, there's a good chance Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. will not only play parts in the video for the first single off Madge's M.D.N.A. release, dropping later this year, but as heavily speculated, they might take the stage with the Queen of Pop during the February 5 halftime show.
In true Madonna fashion, when MTV News caught up with her at the New York premiere of her film, 'W.E.,' she played it cool regarding rumors about the performance. Asked whether the ladies will join her at the Super Bowl, she coyly responded, 'I am not saying 'Yes,' and I am not saying 'No.'' The only tease she wanted to give was, 'Pom poms. That's all I can tell you.'
When Madonna takes the halftime stage next month, her performance will be 'imagined' by Cirque du Soleil and Madonna's longtime choreographer and creative director Jamie King. According to reports, the set list for the show will include 'Luvin' as well as the Madonna classics 'Ray of Light,' 'Vogue' and 'Music.'
Of course, fans won't find the theme a far stretch for the Michigan native, who was a cheerleader back in her high school days. 'I have eight minutes to set up my stage, 12 minutes to put on the greatest show on earth, and I have seven minutes to take it down so that football field is clean for the second half of the game,' she told ABC News about the performance. 'That's the challenge. How do you do that? I actually wanted to have 100 drummers come from the ceiling, a drumline from the ceiling.'
So, what else will the Super Bowl show and her Megaforce-directed clip have in common? Madge simply told us, laughing, 'Pom poms.'

From MTV.com

UK release date for MDNA

UK music retailer HMV.com are showing on their website that Madonna's MDNA is due for release on Monday 02 April 2012.

Thanks to Darren

Madonna and MIA: What You Didn't See

Another preview clip has been released by abc NEWS and this one features Madonna in the studio with MIA - and we hear a preview of the song Birthday Girl.

Madonna Confirms Title Of 12th Studio Album

Madonna's forthcoming album officially has a title. The pop queen's 12th studio LP will be called M.D.N.A., representatives for the singer confirmed to MTV News.
Madonna announced the album title during a taping of the U.K.'s 'Graham Norton Show,' which will air Friday on BBC One. While making the press rounds in support of her film 'W.E.,' she has offered up a few details on her much-anticipated album, which is reportedly due in late March.

From MTV.com

US Radio Impact Date set for Madonna

According to the song impact schedule at Allaccess.com Madonna's Give Me All Your Love will be sent to U.S. Radio on Tuesday 07 February 2012.

Thanks to Micheal

Madonna takes the top three spots in poll of party tunes

What do Madonna, the Bee Gees, Chaka Khan, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bananarama, Chaka Khan, Chesney Hawkes, Kylie Minogue and Madonna have in common? They all feature in the top ten classic party tunes according to a recent poll, that's what.
Madonna is at number one with upbeat 1983 synth-fest Holiday, followed in second place by... Madonna with Hung Up and, in third, Into the Groove by – yep, that's right – Madonna.
Having claimed the top three spots, the Material Girl makes way for the Bee Gees with Stayin’ Alive, Chaka Khan – popping up twice with Ain’t Nobody and I’m Every Woman – and Michael Jackson with Billie Jean.
Bananarama's cover of Venus, and Kylie Minogue's Can’t Get You Out of My Head also make the list – and what party would be complete without the One and Only Chesney Hawkes.
Ten more tracks – featuring artists ranging from Britney Spears to Shania Twain, Queen to Abba – feature in the top twenty, as decided by Magic 105.4's online survey to find the world’s greatest party classics.

From RadioTimes.com - thanks to Ben

Man arrested in Spain over Madonna song leak

Spanish police have arrested and charged a man with illegally leaking an early version of a new Madonna song.
The 31-year-old is alleged to have put a demo of Gimme All Your Luvin on the internet in November.
The investigation began after lawyers traced the recording to Spain. The man, described by police as a big fan of the singer, was arrested in Zaragoza.
Madonna's first studio album in five years is due for release in late March, with the first single out next month.
Police have not named the man arrested, but confirmed his initials as J.M.R.
Officers in the northern Spanish city said they found recordings of the song in a search of the suspect's belongings.
Madonna, 53, was said to have been 'very upset' when the song first leaked last month.
Her manager, Guy Oseary, tweeted about the incident and asked fans to help police any further leaks.

From BBC Newsbeat

Three Album Licensing Deal with Interscope Records Confirmed

Madonna will have a new album out in late March; it was officially confirmed today by Interscope Records. In one component of a very broad plan developed by long time manager Guy Oseary and Live Nation Entertainment, the Material Girl has signed a three album deal with Interscope Records.
The new album, her first in five years, has been completed. 'Gimme All Your Luvin,' the first single from the album, will be released the last week in January prior to her upcoming Bridgestone Halftime Superbowl appearance on February 5th.
In 2007, Madonna signed a multi-faceted deal with Live Nation that includes new studio albums, touring, merchandising, fan club/website, DVDs, music-related television and film projects and associated sponsorship agreements. 'We look forward to a great partnership,' commented Live Nation Entertainment's Chairman of Global Music & CEO, Global Touring Arthur Fogel.
Oseary was equally enthusiastic: 'We couldn't be happier to work with Jimmy Iovine , Lucian Grainge (Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group) and the entire Interscope team. We anticipate a very bright future at our new home,' added Jimmy Iovine , Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M. 'Very rarely does an opportunity like this come around. We would like to thank Madonna, Guy and Live Nation for their belief in us.'

From PRNewswire Press Release

Madonna signs new record deal

Madonna has signed a three-album deal with Interscope Records.
The 53-year-old singer finished her contract with Warner Music Group - who she had been signed to since the start of her career in 1982 - with her third greatest hits album, 'Celebration', in 2007 and inked the new deal, thought to be worth $1 million an album, with the label, owned by Universal Music Group.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: 'It's just about keeping relevance so that she can tour. She is still in the demo phase, but the idea is to get the first album out early next year.'
While she will release her records through Interscope, Madonna will continue to tour under her agreement with Live Nation Entertainment.
Madonna has also been confirmed to perform at the NFL Super Bowl Half Time Show in the US next February, which is when she is expected to make her comeback.

From contactmusic.com

Giovanni Bianco for new album artwork

Creative director Giovanni Bianco has confirmed he is working on the artwork for Madonna's new album in this recent tweet:

I'M SO HAPPY TO BE DOING MADONNA'S ALBUM COVER FOR THE 3RD TIME! PHOTO BY MERT&MARCUS AND STYLING BY ARIANNE PHILLIPS.

Thanks to Shah

Madonna locks lips with Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj took to Twitter on Wednesday to let her fans know she was on set with the one and only Madonna.
Minaj and Madonna were busy shooting the video for 'Give Me All Your Love,' the first single off Madge's forthcoming album. The fierce MC wasn't holding back on the social networking site, giving all her Barbz and Kenz the up-to-the-minute details of the shoot.
Minaj gushed about the shoot, even relaying one major detail that she hopes will make the final cut. She tweeted, 'OH MY f'ingggg Gahhhh!!!!! MADONNA jus kissed me!!!!! On the lips!!!!!!! It felt sooooo good. Soooo soft!!!! *passes out* aaahhhhh!!!!!!!!!' That news immediately sent her fans on a Twitter spree, peppering the rapper with questions about the smooch.
M.I.A. also will appear on the track. The rapper confirmed she recorded with the Queen of Pop late last month in New York, after speculation about a collabo between the three women hit a fevered pitch in November. M.I.A. also tweetedabout chilling with Madonna on set. 'Madonna killed it! A legend! said she'd have me, i said ill have her too, we had a 3sum M.N.M. MEGAFORCE @TheMegaforce thanku,' she wrote to the video director team.

From MTV.com

Video and album photoshoot to be done this week

Madonna.com have published this exciting news:

Madonna is currently filming the video to her brand new single with M.I.A & Nicki Minaj, which is directed by Megaforce.

Later this week, she will create her new album's photoshoot with Mert & Marcus!

Madonna's Masterpiece

More details have emerged about the song Madonna wrote for W.E.
Masterpiece, with music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost and Jimmy Harry has been put forward by The Weinstein Company for Best Original Song for the upcoming award seasons.

You can read more about the film and award categories at twcguilds.com/film/we

Martin Solveig on that notorious track leak

When Madonna took to social media earlier this month to beg fans to stop posting a leaked track from her upcoming album, no one was more troubled than French producer Martin Solveig.
'We had a terrible leak...and everyone is very upset about what happened,' said Solveig, who is one of an elite few producers working on the massive Madonna 2012 release.
The flap unfolded two weeks ago when a demo version of the Solveig-Madonna track 'Give Me All Your Love' hit the blogosphere, much to Madge’s chagrin.
The Material Girl tweeted that 'real fans' wouldn’t have leaked her music before it was finished. The dance-pop track allegedly also will feature M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj, but Solveig, who plays Royale on Friday in his first-ever Boston show, said he can’t talk about the track.
But he did say working with Madonna is a dream come true.
'I would have considered this as impossible,' he told the Herald from a tour stop in Miami. 'People ask who you would dream to work with. To me working with Madonna was not really something I could do. When I got the call, first I thought it was a joke. And then when I realized it wasn’t, I was real-ly overwhelmed. The collaboration has been an enormous joy and an enormous surprise.'
Solveig, 35, is the latest Euro-pean DJ to cross over into the U.S. pop world, joining the likes of David Guetta, Afrojack, Avicii and other top dance-music artists. In addition to his work with Madonna, Solveig (born Martin Picandet) had a hit last year with 'Hello,' one of three tracks with indie darlings Dragonette on his latest full-length release 'Smash.' The disc first dropped this summer in Europe.
While Solveig has benefited handsomely from the blogosphere and the press over the Madonna leak, at the end of the day, he says dance music is all about the live performance.
'The interesting part is, always to come to the show because there’s surprises,' he said. 'And there’s dancing, which is something you don’t have on the Internet.'

From The Edge / Boston Herald

M.I.A summoned to NYC by Madonna!

M.I.A, one of Madonna's collaborators on her new album, published this tweet:

@_M_I_A_: summond to NYC by bitchesses > MADONNA and @NICKIMINAJ > cofffffiiiiiiieeeeeeeeee it iz a good day to get me tho trustttt bitches

Thanks to Shah

Give Me All Your Love Leaks And It's So Much Freakin' Fun

Earlier a few audio snippets of Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Love' leaked and it sure didn't take long for the whole track to find its way online.
And the verdict around the MTV Newsroom: Thumbs up, Madge. Thumbs WAY up. In fact, one gentlemanly MTV News boss man perhaps said it best: 'I like this so much more than I should.'
This track falls squarely in Madonna's cannon; it's pure dance pop. It opens with Nicki Minaj cheering, 'L-U-V, MADONNA / Y-O-U, you wanna?' before Madonna jumps in with the first verse.
There is, however, one big surprise - M.I.A. is nowhere to be found on the giddy song, despite rumors that she would appear. In her place, glittery synths, marching band drums, claps and a catchy-as-hell chorus. Actually, the whole thing, start to finish, is undeniably catchy. We already have big plans to listen to it on repeat while spinning around our bedroom in circles. Yeah, it's like that!

From newsroom.mtv.com

NME Review Give Me All Your Love

UK music website NME gave a great review of Give Me All Your Love which leaked in full yesterday evening:

Yesterday we gave our verdict on the leaked clips of Madonna's new single 'Give Me All Your Love'. Well now the whole thing has been unleashed.
In truth, some people have suggested that it's just a demo at this stage (M.I.A and Nicki Minaj are rumoured to feature on the final version). But to us it sounds just fine as it is.
It starts off non-typically enough with a Nicola Roberts styled 'L-U-V MADONNA' cheerleader shout out, before we're zippily lead by co-writer and producer William Orbit in a polished 60s shake down. It's clear he's revisiting his past collaborations with the singer, with shades of 'Beautiful Stranger'and 'Amazing' abounding. There's also an echo of 'Ray Of Light' in the jet powered guitar line on the verse. The whole thing seems to soar effortlessly, especially in the context of her last album, the difficult-to-love 'Hard Candy'.
There have been criticisms that the bouncy lyrics ('Give me all your love/ Let's forget about time and dance the night away' goes the chorus) are neither befitting of the grande dame of disco nor are indicative of the type of lyrics she should be penning at this stage in her career. And I even wrote a blog a few months ago saying that she 'needs to draw from the events that have affected her (divorce, adoption).'
Blah, blah, blah, frankly. Because what Madonna's doing in this song is so much more impossibly fun than we could have imagined that all of that talk seems unimportant.
By dodging cookie-cutter Gaga europop sound or the cold urban sound of 'Hard Candy', Madonna sounds like Madonna again, which is a reason to celebrate.

Give Me All Your Love clips leak online

Entertainment website Digital Spy have published this story and links to the Give Me All Your Love leaks online this afternoon:

Clips of Madonna's new single have appeared online.
The snippets of the star's upcoming song 'Give Me All Your Love' are thought to be from the demo version of the track.
The full version will be premiered during the Super Bowl XLVI on February 5 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The final version will include features from Nicki Minaj and MIA and has been produced by Martin Sloveig.
Previous reports have indicated that Madonna's performance of the track with include 'heavy choreography with major cheerleading action'.
The 53-year-old recently suggested that 'Give Me All Your Love' will have an official release in February or March of 2012 with her new album to follow in the spring.

Are these leaks building up the anticipation of the single release, or ruining the surprise - let madonnalicious know by hitting the 'Comments' button below.

Stefano Gabbana: 'Woooooooooooowwwwwwww'

Fashion designer Stefano Gabbana has taken to Twitter to let readers know that he has listened to Madonna's new single and thinks:
'The new Madonna single its Woooooooooooowwwwwwww...'

'A Fairy Tale in New York but Hot Hot Hot in the studioooooo'

Since Madonna manager Guy Oseary announced she'd be working on an album over the summer, tentatively slated for a spring release, the Queen of Pop's most loyal followers have been clamoring for updates about the progress of the record.
Last week, it was rumored Madge had plans to work with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj, and now producer William Orbit has some more news for the singer's most loyal devotees.
'Madonna has phenomenal understanding of both the minutiae of music and the big picture. Zooming in, zooming out. 4ever amazing. Plus VISION!!!' he tweeted. 'Working with Madonna is a treat. Fantastic tracks and vibes. Going deep. She's ON IT !!! This is THE album!'
The Ray of Light producer's tweets even reveal where the two have been cooking up tracks for the record. 'WOWOWOWOW just looked out the window here in NY and IT's SNOWING !!!!!' he wrote. 'A Fairy Tale in New York but Hot Hot Hot in the studioooooo.'
At the London screening for her film 'W.E.,' Madonna spoke to Sky News about the top-secret project, addressing the nature of her celebrity and how it relates to her art. 'Even when I try something old [I get criticized]. When I make my music, I come up against criticism,' she said. 'So it kind of goes with the territory. I'm used to it.'
What are you expecting from Madonna's next album? Let us know in the comments!

From MTV.com

William Orbit tweets on new album!

William Orbit has been taking to Twitter this week to tweet his thoughts on working with Madonna on her new album:

'Madonna has phenomenal understanding of both the minutiae of music and the big picture. Zooming in, zooming out. 4ever amazing. AND VISION'

'Working with Madonna is a treat. Fantastic tracks and vibes. Going deep. She's ON IT !!! This is THE album!'

'No question in my mind. Jean Baptiste Kouame, greatest singer songwriter of our times. He is the future You’ll know why next year! And a fabulous human being too.

New album confirmed for Spring 2012

In an interview with Sweden's Sveriges Television (SVT) Madonna confirmed that her new single would be released February/March 2012 with a new album following in the Spring 2012.

Madonna confirmed that she 'started a little bit of work in the studio' for the album and will continue recording in 'New York, until the end of the year'.

Madonna also didn't feel the need to correct the interviewer when he mentioned how she was re-teaming with producer William Orbit!

From svt.se/karleksoffer_fascinerar_madonna

Oakenfold: Madonna works 'tirelessly' in the studio

Madonna is 'easy' to collaborate with and 'works tirelessly in the studio,' according to Paul Oakenfold.
The DJ produced Madonna's 2009 single 'Celebration', and said she was anything but a diva to record with.
He told altsounds.com: 'Madonna was without doubt one of the best artists I have ever worked with. She had so many fantastic ideas and really took her music seriously.'
'You can tell that with Madonna, everything is about the music. She's a global name but still works tirelessly in the studio, puts on her best possible live gigs and puts 100 per cent into everything she does. She's really grounded too and easy to work with.'

From contactmusic.com

Boy George 'offers' his songwriting services!

In a recent tweet singer Boy George cheekily offered his songwriting skills to Madonna and William Orbit:

'Madonna & William Orbit are recording in New York and and they haven't asked me to write some top lines & lyrics. Folly!'

William Orbit worked with Madonna on the W.E. soundtrack - so they may have been in the studio fine tuning that music - but who knows maybe that project went so well they decided to work on tracks for the new album too!

Thanks to Elisha

Second week in the studio for Madonna

Guy Oseary tweeted earlier that Madonna will be starting her second week in the recording studio today (Monday 25 July).

He also said that he had shown her the video of Beth Ditto performing Vogue (view the video on madonnalicious here) and that Madonna 'thought Beth was great'.

More news from MTV about new album producer

A few weeks ago, Madonna’s manager Guy Oseary took to Twitter to announce that the Queen of Pop was about to hit the studio to begin work on her twelfth studio album – her first since 2008’s Hard Candy. At the time, we had a few suggestions for Madge. We recommended she A.) stay away from 'hot' producers like RedOne or Dr. Luke, B.) make some real dance music, and C.) use the ups and downs of the last few years to write about something substantial.
And guess what? She’s taking our advice!
Oseary tweeted that Her Madgesty began work on the untitled album on the Fourth of July. Now the first producer has been named and he’s someone to get excited about: Martin Solveig. Solveig is a French electronic music DJ and producer best known for work with Canadian electropop group Dragonette and the song 'Hello,' which became a hit in the U.S. after being featured in commercials for Trident.
Remember what happened the last time Madonna worked with a lesser-known French DJ? Music happened.
'David Guetta, Joachim Garaud, Martin Solveig, Bob Sinclair - these dudes are all part of the French guard of house music coming onto the scene in the early 2000s,' MTV News' resident dance music expert Akshay Bhansali tells us. 'He's [Solveig] always been well respected, but this year, singles-wise, he's probably made more commercially on music than Guetta.'
Solveig's good rep and ear for commercially viable dance music will be important, because this is an especially important album for Madonna. As silly as it may sound, it’s her first post-Gaga record and because of that, it will be viewed and critiqued through that lens. Earlier this year, Gaga was slapped on the wrist by music critics who felt her smash 'Born This Way' sounded a little too close for comfort to Madonna’s 1989 hit 'Express Yourself.' Gaga’s aesthetic is also often compared to Madonna’s.
So anyone who thinks Madonna won’t experience this same scrutiny in reverse as soon as she produces something new is naïve. Critics’ first question won’t be, 'What does it sound like?' Instead they’ll ask, 'Does it sound like Gaga?' And the answer needs to be no (or at least 'not really').
That’s why we recommended she avoid in-demand producers. If a producer is famous enough for the mainstream public to have some idea of who they are, then people will be able to spot their sound immediately - think RedOne’s bombastic beats for Gaga or the slick thump Dr. Luke puts together for Britney Spears and Katy Perry. Madonna at her best is forward-thinking and ahead of the musical curve; she doesn’t want to sound derivative (like she did working with 'hot' producers Pharrell Williams, Nate Hills and Timbaland on Hard Candy).
'He's a very capable producer, and maybe the fact that he’s an electronic dance music producer that has made two huge songs that don't sound too clubby is something that drew Madonna,' Bhansali says of Solveig. '‘Hello’ doesn't feel like your average fist pump song. It feels more cultured than that - and perhaps that's what she's after.'
Madonna was the primary songwriter on Music, Ray of Light and Confessions on a Dance Floor, and on all three she worked closely with little known European DJs/producers, Mirwais Ahmadzai, William Orbit and Stuart Price, respectively. It’s great that she seems to be reverting back to a formula that has worked well for her in the past. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

From MTV.com

Darren Hayes covers Angel

Darren Hayes has released a cover of Madonna's Angel. It is included with his new single Talk, Talk, Talk as a bonus track (B-side). Visit his YouTube channel here.

madonnalicious spoke to Darren recently and asked him:
'Knowing you are a huge Madonna fan I was wondering what in particular about Angel made you want to cover the song?'

It was one of the first records I ever bought and one of the first songs I wish I'd written. As a kid - without much money and with nothing but a pocket full of dreams - I would imagine that it was me up there singing. The 12inch version especially cast a spell on me.
It was a pivotal time in my life when I started to realise that this is what I wanted to do for a living.
As an adult with my own career, recording a cover version 'Angel' was like coming full circle. Like a Virgin is still one of my favourite Madonna albums and 'Angel' remains probably my favourite Madonna song of all time.

Thanks to J.T.

Behold she is coming soon....

Here is the news fans have been waiting for! Guy Oseary tweeted this news today:

It's official.. Madonna's 1st day in the recording studio for the new album... Very exciting.. Happy 4th of july...

Thanks to Anna-Clare

Radio programmers talk about Madonna album collaborators

Peter Buchanan published this blog recently at Examiner.com:

At the gathering of program director’s meeting in Chicago this weekend, the hot topic was Madonna. My June 9th column was the very first to reveal that The Weinstein Company picked up distribution rights to Madonna’s eagerly anticipated film W.E. I have a lot more information on that, but will keep quiet for now. After all, Madonna is primarily a recording artist, right?
The big talk at the meeting was Madonna’s upcoming album and the possibility of Jim Steinman (hello, Bonnie Tyler, Meat Loaf, and Celine Dion) as a collaborator. Apparently, Madonna wrote some songs with melody ideas and sent them to Mr. Steinman, who was very impressed. Madonna, despite what some say, does write her own lyrics and melodies, but relies on producers to come up with the music.
Some of the program directors thought the idea was interesting, while others thought that Jim Steinman would be cheapening himself. Even if Mr. Steinman doesn’t come through, one of the definite collaborators for Madonna’s next album is going to be Joe Henry, who co-wrote two of Madonna’s most loved songs: 'Don’t Tell Me' and 'Jump.'

Thanks to Ruben

Madonna ready to record new album

Madonna's manager Guy Oseary has confirmed plans for the singer to re-enter the recording studio next month to start work on her new album.

The 52-year-old performer is said to know the people she wants to work with on the project, which will serve as the follow-up to 2008's Hard Candy.

Taking to Twitter to answer fans' questions surrounding the recording, Oseary revealed: 'Madonna goes into the recording studio next month to begin work on new album....'

'There are no back catalogue plans currently....I met with Warner Music about that very subject....but nothing has come of it....'

'There is nothing to report in regards to tour....you guys know how this works....first comes the album and next comes the....'

Oseary also indicated that Madonna knows who she wants to work with, stating: 'She has a good idea on which producers she will be working with....

From Digital Spy

Britney Spears' Madonna Burning Up Cover Leaks

In a similar vein to when she performed Alanis Morissette's 'You Outta Know' during her last tour, Britney Spears may have another iconic female in mind for a live cover during her Femme Fatale tour. A studio recording of Britney covering Madonna's 1983 single 'Burning Up' leaked, glammed-up without a hint of the '80s to be found. Despite Madonna's impressive discography, including numerous chart-toppers, Spears chose this single that failed to break the Billboard Hot 100 when it was released, but was a Top 5 Hot Dance Music/Club Play hit.

From Billboard.com

The Beats Within blog launches

Peter Magennis, the man behind The Beats Within has now launched a blog that continues his work looking at Madonna's music and will feature interviews with lots of her music collaborators giving fans more insight and history behind her songs.

In 2008 madonnalicious interviewed Peter about his cover story on Madonna B-sides and rarities for UK music magazine Record Collector which can be read here and here.

In the first two days since the launch of the blog Peter has exclusively revealed the titles of two previously unknown Madonna songs - Angels with Dirty Faces and I Want You - so for more information on these songs and more visit www.thebeatswithin.blogspot.com

Madonna's True Blue album gets covered

PS I Love You, Young Galaxy, Winter Gloves and You Say Party! are some of the acts appearing on 'True Blue,' a free digital covers album of Madonna's 1986 smash album released this week through Paper Bag Records.
PS I Love You's Paul Saulnier says the band's version of 'Where's the Party?' seemed like a natural fit and they 'jumped at the opportunity to contribute to this project.'
'I have loved this song since I was a kid and I think it sums up my attitude towards partying and like, wondering where the party is and could possibly be,' Saulnier tells Spinner. 'Remember, no matter how s----y life can get, you have to keep asking, 'Where's the Party?''
Paper Bag Records announced Sunday via Twitter of a 'Post-Record Store Day gift for y'all....' The album celebrates the Canadian label's eighth anniversary.
Young Galaxy's Stephen Ramsay said Paper Bag Records' Trevor Larocque contacted the Montreal group not long after signing them with the idea of covering a song. The band said they immediately went with 'Open Your Heart.'
'I think we were the first ones he asked because we had our choice of any song off the album,' Ramsay tells Spinner, adding he's more of 'a Jellybean Benitez, early period Madge kind of guy' compared to 'True Blue' era Madonna.
'For this one, we thought it might be interesting to marry Madge to Krautrock - the sounds we used on the cover were purposefully reminiscent of Kraftwerk's 'Neon Lights' - to make it sound like the soundtrack to a retro-futuristic, coldly-lit midnight autobahn drive,' Ramsay adds. 'And the lyrics 'Open your heart with a key' - we imagined Catherine [McCandless] singing it as Robot Madonna!'
'In the end, we realized this song was actually about a love affair between two robots, which makes perfect sense, because Madonna was married to Sean Penn at the time 'True Blue' came out [laughs].'
Listeners have the option of listening to the album via Soundcloud or can download the record free of charge from Paper Bag Record's site. Songs covered include 'Open Your Heart' by Young Galaxy, 'Live to Tell' (We're Scared Version) by the Rural Alberta Advantage and 'Papa Don't Preach' by Woodhands, with the title track coming courtesy of Winter Gloves featuring Hannah Georgas.
'I was psyched to get on board,' Winter Gloves singer Charles F. tells Spinner. 'I thought of Hannah right away. She was playing Osheaga [Festival] that day - so I picked her up to record the vocals that night at my studio. We had no idea what we were doing.'
Meanwhile, Born Ruffians' Luke Lalonde says his band was left with 'Jimmy Jimmy' as all the other songs had been taken. As a result, the band seemed to glam their version up a bit.
'I'd never heard the song and when I listened, I knew we couldn't do anything along the lines of a conventional cover without it being a complete joke,' he tells Spinner. 'I decided to combine another song's feeling and emotion with it. Something truly cool to bring the Madonna song back down to earth a bit. I took the groove from a T.Rex song and started to play Madonna over it at home and, voila!'

From Spinner.com

Madonna Donates Song To Japan Benefit Album

The Live version of Madonna's 'Miles Away' is included on the 'Songs For Japan' album to be released on iTunes.
Taken from her 2008 'Sticky & Sweet Tour', 'Miles Away' is featured along with songs by REM, U2, Sting, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Beyonce and many more.
All of the monies earned from 'Songs for Japan' will be directed to the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) to support its disaster relief efforts. The society will use the funds for the ongoing provision of immediate relief and for eventual recovery support to the affected population.
The artists participating on Songs for Japan, the major music labels - EMI Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group - and music publishers have waived their royalties and proceeds from the worldwide sales of the album to ensure that the JRCS receives as much support as possible from this global initiative.
In addition, iTunes will donate all proceeds from the album's worldwide sales to the benefit of the JRCS.
Visit your local iTunes Store now to download.

From Madonna.com

Madonna on 'Every Mother Counts' documentary soundtrack

Starbucks will release a companion CD to Christy Turlington Burns' documentary 'No Woman No Cry' that will include music from Rosanne Cash, the Dixie Chicks, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Sinead O'Connor, Gwyneth Paltrow and others.
The 'Every Mother Counts' CD will be released April 12. Starbucks will donate $8 from the sale of each CD between April 12 and May 9 to CARE for its maternal health programs in coffee growing countries. The Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN, will broadcast the film on May 7.
Turlington Burns founded the organization Every Mother Counts last year and has screened her film at health conferences and film festivals in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, India, Guatemala, Poland and Zanzibar. The film follows expecting mothers in four countries - Tanzania, Bangladesh, Guatemala and the Unites States - as they face obstacles to receiving healthcare.

The complete track listing:

Martha Wainwright 'Leave Behind'
Carla Bruni 'Le Loup, La Biche et Le Chevalier (Une Chanson Douce)'
Gwyneth Paltrow 'This Woman's Work'
Madonna 'Promise to Try'
Patti Scialfa 'Children's Song'
Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon 'There and Back Again, Pt. 2'
Angelique Kidjo 'Sweet Lullaby'
Ani DiFranco 'Present/Infant' (remix)
Dixie Chicks 'Lullaby'
Rosanne Cash 'Motherless Children' (acoustic version)
Sheryl Crow 'Lullaby for Wyatt'
Jennifer Lopez 'One Step at a Time'
Karen Elson 'The Last Laugh'
Sinead O'Connor 'Petit Poulet'
Martha Wainwright 'No Woman, No Cry'

From Billboard.com

Rep: Madonna Never Emailed Lady Gaga About 'Born This Way'

Did Madonna really give Lady Gaga her blessing on 'Born This Way?'
Earlier this week, the singer told Jay Leno that the Material Girl approved her new single, which some critics called a rip-off of Madonna’s 'Express Yourself.' 'I got an e-mail from her people and her, sending me their love and complete support on behalf of the single and if the queen says it shall be, then it shall be,' Gaga said.
But Madonna's rep has told CNN’s Headline News Entertainment that she is unaware of any email that Madonna has sent.

From The Hollywood Reporter - thanks to Alessandro

Lady Gaga addresses Born This Way comparisons

Lady Gaga has finally chimed in on the controversy that her new single, 'Born This Way,' sounds like Madonna's 1989 anthem, 'Express Yourself.'
Fresh off her appearance at the Grammys on Sunday night, Gaga paid a visit to 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' where Jay asked her what her thoughts were on the comparisons that are being made between the two songs.
'There is really no one that is a more adoring and loving Madonna fan than me,' Gaga responded. 'I am the hugest fan personally and professionally.'
The pop superstar went on to reveal that she received communication from her Madgesty, and that she's OK with the song.
'Well, the good news is that I got an e-mail from her people and her, sending me their love and complete support on behalf of the single and if the queen says it shall be, then it shall be,' Gaga told Jay.
As previously reported on , Gaga dropped 'Born This Way,' the lead single off her album of the same name, on February 2, and almost immediately, people were comparing it to Madonna's iconic tune.
Gaga's performance at the Grammys - where she had a long blonde ponytail, not unlike Madonna's previous look - just prompted more fodder on the topic, including headlines like E! Online's 'Is Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' A Rip-Off of Madonna Classics?' and MTV's 'Does Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' Owe Debt To Madonna?'

From AccessHollywood.com

Madonna 'can't wait' to record new album

Madonna's manager has revealed that she is ready to record a new studio album.
The singer, whose last release was 2008's Hard Candy, is said to be going back in the recording studio after she wraps up directing her latest film.
Responding to rumours that she will appear at the Grammys and release a concert DVD, the star's manager Guy Oseary tweeted: 'Madonna will not be at grammys. I have no idea where the rumour of a live dvd box set is coming from. Im not against doing it....just not true.'
'The update is that Madonna cant wait to get into the recording studio....This will happen as soon as she finishes the movie she directed....(sic)'

From Digital Spy

Slant Magazine: Best Singles of the '90s

Slant magazine have listed their choice of the top 100 singles from the 1990s. Madonna dominates the list with five entries:

42. Madonna, 'Secret'
36. Madonna, 'Deeper and Deeper'
34. Madonna, 'Erotica.'
16. Madonna, 'Ray of Light.'
10. Madonna, 'Vogue.'

To read the full reason behind the choice of these tracks visit slantmagazine.com

Pharrell confirms Madonna work

After collaborating with Madonna on her highly successful 2008 crossover album Hard Candy, Neptunes producer Pharrell Williams will once again be working with the pop icon in the new year.
According to News.com.au, Skateboard P says he’s 'got some stuff going on with Madonna,' though work on a new Despicable Me film as well as a new Neptunes project are taking up studio time as well. Referring to unique artists like Madonna, Williams explained, 'Every session I have I try to take something from and learn different things - how to make great music, how to make that music greater.'

From hiphopdx.com - thanks to Clare

Listen to four unreleased Madonna tracks

Ryan Brockington of the New York Post's PopWrap column has put online four previously unreleased tracks from Madonna - they are Latte and Animal (from Hard Candy), Little Girl (from Music) and Set The Right (from American Life).

To listen to the tracks visit www.nypost.com/popwrap