...' It is difficult to get hold of the Desperately seeking susan soundtrack as it is!
In their wisdom, when re-releasing the remastered edition, which does feature the fantastic 12" dance remix of 'Like a virgin,' they decided to take 'Into the groove' off. Biggest mistake ever! Like A Virgin ... Read review
Advantages: Songs are fantastic; uplifting; good music to dance/work out/ clean house/drive etc. to Disadvantages: this edition doesn't have 'into the groove' on it
...groove' off. Biggest mistake ever! Like A Virgin was a much better album with 'Into the groove' on - quite simply, it was her first UK no. 1 and it is an absolute classic floor filler. It is one of her best songs so why they took it off defies belief.
I only hope when they re-release Like a virgin again, 'Into the groove' re-appears.
NOW... as for the album itself.
'Like a virgin' features her 80s smashes ... ...naturally. Suffice to say these four tracks are amongst her best recorded work. If you're a fan of 80s music, you are bound to know all of them. Nile Rodgers' production is fantastic, the lyrics are infectious and uplifting and all of the hits will get you grooving no matter what you're doing. Unlike a lot of 80s music, these 4 hits still work today, proving how Madonna transcends every barrier possible. I must hear either 'Material Girl' or 'Dress ... more
Madonna's second album is a lot different from her first and is for many fans where her brilliance starts.
First- the Remastered edition points:
I was fortunate to buy the original version on CD. Unfortunately, you can't buy this anymore unless it's second hand but if you find a second-hand copy, grab it!
WHY? The original Europe CD release features the original version of 'Into the Groove' as heard on Desperately seeking susan, which is slightly slower than the version that ended up on 'Immaculate Collection.' It is difficult to get hold of the Desperately seeking susan soundtrack as it is!
In their wisdom, when re-releasing the remastered edition, which does feature the fantastic 12" dance remix of 'Like a virgin,' they decided to take 'Into the groove' off. Biggest mistake ever! Like A Virgin was a much better album with 'Into the groove' on - quite simply, it was her first UK no. 1 and it is an absolute classic floor filler. It is one of her best songs so why they took it off defies belief.
I only hope when they re-release Like a virgin again, 'Into the groove' re-appears.
NOW... as for the album itself.
'Like a virgin' features her 80s smashes 'Material Girl,' 'Angel,' 'Dress You Up' and 'Like A Virgin' naturally. Suffice to say these four tracks are amongst her best recorded work. If you're a fan of 80s music, you are bound to know all of them. Nile Rodgers' production is fantastic, the lyrics are infectious and uplifting and all of the hits will get you grooving no matter what you're doing. Unlike a lot of 80s music, these 4 hits still work today, proving how Madonna transcends every barrier possible. I must hear either 'Material Girl' or 'Dress you up' on the radio at least twice a week and I see the video for 'Material Girl' on VH1 all the time - it's a classic!
The album tracks are good (not as great as on some of her later albums admittedly) - in particular her cover of the Rose Royce classic 'Love don't live here anymore' is worth a listen because of its unique arrangement. Madonna's ballads are undoubtedly where her vocal talents shine and as one of her first outings, this set the tone and still brings goosepimples now!
'Pretender' and 'Stay' are catchy and in a minor key, which works well. They do sound very similar but as album fillers go, these are a cut above the rest.
HOWEVER - for me, the ultimate track is 'Shoo be doo,' which encapsulates early Madonna for me. When I first heard it, it sounded lacklustre because of it's slow and simple opening but then it becomes a mid-tempo tune with a catchy melody and heart-wrenching lyrics. It's a song about a heartbroken girl who is obviously dealing with being the rebound from a previous relationship but if I was the guy she was singing to, I would melt instantly. Her vocals are really emotive on this and the song has just got to be heard.
Advantages: Cheap Disadvantages: it is milking it a little
...The Groove ...... and Like A Virgin (for which the gondola video is still memorable)
The rest of the songs do mirror albums of the time, a couple of strong tracks that got released into the charts and the rest quickly strung together to try and make an album long enough! These instantly forgettable tracks include:
Angel, Over and Over, Sho be doo and Pretender
Oh and there is a passable cover version of love don't live here any more.
It took ...
bazzorpa 20.11.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Like A Virgin [Remastered] - Madonna
Advantages: It's interesting to see how much better Madonna has become over the years Disadvantages: The remixes - get the original so you can say you have it, rather than this
...Girl, Into The Groove and Like A Virgin are the classics, and the cover of Love Don’t Live Here Anymore is beautiful. Other songs, such as Shoo-Bee-Doo and Pretender are instantly forgettable. You’ll know the singles, but most of the others tend to wash over your head. It’s a good 80’s pop album, but not great overall. ...
schizochico 17.09.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Like A Virgin [Remastered] - Madonna
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Like A Virgin [Remastered] - Madonna"
Advantages: A string of 80s Hits Disadvantages: Might sound too dated if you're not a fan
This is the album that really shot Madonna to fame.
It's full of bubble-gum 80s Pop with the edge that defines the Madonna we have grown to love.
Hits on this album include the anthemic "Material Girl", the more rock chick influenced "Dress you up" and the very famous "Like a virgin".
2 ballads are also part of the bargain with "Shoo Bee Doo" and a Rose Royce cover for "Love Don't Live Here Anymore".
"Like a virgin" could have done without them but I guess you need to chill out a bit while practicing your 80s moves around the house!
A great album for pop lovers and Madonna fans.
Avoid if you're not keen on "Minnie Mouse" voice, buy it if you want a cheerful trip down memory lane! ...
Product Information for "Like A Virgin [Remastered] - Madonna" »
Product details
Title
Like A Virgin [Remastered]
Performer
Madonna
Genre
Rock & Pop
Release Date
21/05/2001
Recomended Retail Price
15.99 GBP
Original Release Year
1984
Label / Distributor
Sire / Cinram Logistics
Engineer
Jason Corsaro
Producer
Nile Rodgers; Stephen Bray
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
93624790129
Catalogue Number
9362479012
SPAR code
DDD
Additional notes
Album Notes
Includes rare 12" dance remixes previously unavailable on CD. Personnel: Madonna (vocals); Nile Rodgers (guitar, Synclavier); Lenny Pickett (saxophone); Rob Sabino (synthesizer); Bernard Edwards (bass); Tony Thompson (drums); Jimmy Bralower (programming); Curtis King, Frank Simms, George Simms, Brenda King (background vocals). Digitally remastered by Ted Jensen (Sterling Sound, New York, New York). The title track, which, combined with her overt sexuality, caused waves of controversy at the time, has now become part of movie folklore, with director Quentin Tarantino letting his brutish cast mull over the meaning of its lyrics for the opening sequence of the film Reservoir Dogs. It is somehow gratifying that the Madonna album that unleashed her on the world should have become a cultural icon and reference point for the 80s. A telling blend of lush pop songs and street suss--the dancing went on all through the night. The British import CD (SIRE 925181-2) contains 1 extra track "Into The Groove" from the "Desperately Seeking Susan" soundtrack and has a running time of 43:22.
Album Reviews
Q (7/01, p.131) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...The record that propelled her into the stratosphere - and rightly so. The songs are smart, funny, sexy and irresistible..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Material Girl
2.
Angel
3.
Like A Virgin
4.
Over And Over
5.
Love Don't Live Here Anymore
6.
Dress You Up
7.
Shoo Bee Doo
8.
Pretender
9.
Stay
10.
Like A Virgin (extended dance remix/bonus track)
11.
Material Girl (extended dance remix/bonus track)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
17/09/2001
Compare Like A Virgin [Remastered] - Madonna to other similar Rock & Pop »
Similar products and search queries by other users »
Like Madonna, Like A Madonna, Like Virgin Madonna, Like Remastered Madonna, Like A Virgin Madonna, Like A Remastered Madonna, Like Virgin Remastered Madonna, Like A Virgin Remastered Madonna
Are you the manufacturer / provider of Like A Virgin [Remastered] - Madonna? Click here