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Madonna news - Aug. 2007
← July 2007 | Sep. 2007 →
Arianne Phillips to work with Madonna again
31 August 2007Costume designer/stylist and longtime Madonna collaborator Arianne Phillips gave an interview for the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the article says Arianne is going to work with Madonna on her next album. That's all the info we got now in these slow news weeks. Previously, Arianne worked with Madonna on her last 3 world tours.
Madonna to adopt another Malawian baby?
Source: The Sun - 29 August 2007Madonna has been given the green light to adopt a second orphan from Malawi — a 13-month-old girl called Mercy.
She's been told she can take the "smiling angel" as a sister to David Banda, her first child from the African nation.
It follows months of legal wrangling over the adoption of 22-month-old David.
And to ensure all goes smoothly this time, Madge, 49, has told her lawyer in Malawi, Alan Chinula, to "cover all legal bases" before she collects Mercy next April.
Madge insisted she wanted to adopt a sister for David "to redress the balance". Officials asked her to view up to TEN girls before deciding.
She saw Mercy, Grace, Jessica and Fanizio last October at the Kondanani Orphan Care Centre at Blantyre.
She "had her heart" set on Grace, but the tot's extended family objected. Madge has been back several times since and was said to be "thrilled" to be told she can take Mercy.
She will file papers in February, a month after David's adoption is finalised.
A close family source said yesterday: "Madonna's over the moon that she's been told she can take Mercy. She didn't want another complicated adoption."
The source added: "Mercy is a beautiful baby girl. She's so joyful and happy and giggles every time she's picked up. Madonna just loves the way she claps her hands and laughs constantly. She has huge, dancing eyes. Madonna calls her her smiling angel."
Mercy has some family, including an aunt, but they were too poor to keep her, so left her at the orphanage.
She is healthy, unlike David who was desperately ill after arriving in England.
His adoption sparked controversy after it emerged his father, Yohane, was still alive. Pals said Madonna has suffered torments during the complicated adoption process. She "despaired" after a home visit to her £5.7million London pad was suddenly scrapped last month.
The singer and film director husband Guy Ritchie, 39, had expected a top official to turn up to assess if they were suitable parents.
A spokeswoman for Madonna, who has a daughter, Lourdes, ten, and son, Rocco, seven, declined to comment about Mercy.
Something to remember: They made it through the wilderness
28 August 2007Four years ago today, Madonna gave one of her most special live performances ever. She opened the VMAs, which was actually not unusual from her, she did that a few times already before. But this time, she wasn't alone. The 20th annual award show started with a homage to a performance from the very first VMAs, where Madonna had arrived with the infamous Like A Virgin rendition in a wedding dress.
In 2003 it was recreated by none others than Britney Spears & Christina Aguilera. After the girls in wedding dresses sang the first verse and the chorus of the song, Madonna as the groom arrived and started singing her then-current single Hollywood (Jacques Lu Cont Mix) with the girls doing backup.
Then, as probably everyone knows, Madonna kissed both Britney and Christina on the mouth, causing a huge uproar in the press for weeks. It is notable to mention that after Madonna kissed Britney, the cameras all showed a shocked Justin Timberlake - he surely didn't expect working with Madonna four years later during that very moment!
Missy Elliott joined the trio for a rap and then they finished the segment with the line "Music stations always play the same songs, we're bored with the concept of right and wrong!". This medley is widely regarded as the last "big" performance of the VMAs. Madonna hasn't performed there since then, but next year it's gonna be the milestone 25th VMA...
(The Mad-Eyes team would also like to remember another anniversary: 1 year ago today, for the first time together, the team saw Madonna performing on the Confessions Tour in Paris. Mad-Eyes shine for eternity! ;-)
Malawian official to assess Madonna over adoption
Source: Reuters - 27 August 2007A Malawian court-appointed official said on Monday he will visit Madonna and her husband in early September to access whether they would be suitable parents for the child they are seeking to adopt.
"There has been a change of mind by my government minister and she has allowed me to leave for the UK on September 4 and I am expected to spend two weeks," Penstone Kilembe, who had been refused permission to travel to Britain, told Reuters.
Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie's attempts to adopt David Banda hit a snag earlier this month when the Malawian minister of women and child development refused to grant Kilembe permission to travel to Britain to access their suitability.
Minister Kate Kainja told a Malawian weekly "we feel Mr. Kilembe personalized the whole issue" and other people could go.
A Malawi newspaper reported earlier this month Kilembe was prevented from traveling to Britain because he had accepted a plane ticket and money from Madonna without government approval. Kilembe dismissed the suggestions he asked the pop star for a ticket.
The High Court of Malawi appointed Kilembe to travel to Britain twice and was to have relied on his testimony in ruling whether Madonna should adopt the child in a hearing next year.
Madonna took David Banda from Malawi last October when he was 13 months old after his father Yohane Banda had placed him in an orphanage following the death of his wife.
Madonna choreographer enlisted by Britney for VMA
25 August 2007Britney Spears was seen together with choreographer RJ Durrell, who is believed to create a memorable performance for singer with comeback-ambitions for the VMAs. He's responsible for the choreography of the fan-favourite Erotica performance on the Confessions Tour.
Britney has not appeared on the annual VMAs ever since the infamous opening performance with Madonna herself in 2003.
Funny thing is that Britney is strongly rumoured to open the show, while some weeks ago event-maestro Timbaland was shocked at the possibility of that. Maybe both Britney's and Madonna's appearances (which is still rumoured) are meant to be surprises?
We shall see on September 9th, and even if Madonna won't be there, her most recent collaborators Timbaland and Justin Timberlake are expected to bring the house down.
Talk of Live Nation/Madonna deal causing a commotion
Source: Reuters - 25 August 2007If Live Nation is able to pull off a multifaceted deal with Madonna, one that would include a label component as well as the singer's lucrative touring and merchandising business, it would be the most ambitious undertaking yet under Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino's watch.
Speculation is rampant that Madonna is considering leaving Warner Bros. once her contract obligations are complete. Arthur Fogel, president of TNA International and chairman of Live Nation's global touring division, produced Madonna's last three world tours and is likely at the forefront of any negotiations between Madonna and Live Nation.
One source estimates the value of the Live Nation offer to be $180 million for a 10-year deal, with the touring giant potentially licensing the recording rights for roughly $30 million.
It is believed that Madonna has two more albums due on her contract with Warners. An album of new material is expected in late 2007, to be followed by a greatest hits project.
Sources say Warners has made a counteroffer to Madonna that also includes a touring component that could be helmed by rival promoter AEG Live.
New children's books available for pre-order
25 August 2007Amazon has listed four sequels of 'The English Roses' children's book, to be released on September 6th, 2007. The titles are: Friends for Life! - Good-Bye Grace? - The New Girl - A Rose By Any Other Name.
Madonna's deal with Warner Brothers nears completion
Source: Dotmusic via Yahoo - 24 August 2007Madonna is considering a number of possible destinations for her future music career as her deal with Warner Brothers nears completion, it has been confirmed.
The Queen of Pop has been the subject of many industry rumours in recent weeks, suggesting she might be about to ink a new multi-million dollar deal.
The news has accompanied reports that she will release her new album later this year and another greatest hits compilation too.
Her official spokesperson has now clarified the rumours, stating Madonna will become "a free agent" in the near future.
She explained: "Madonna has a new CD coming out on Warner Brothers Records at the end of this year [or] early next year. She also has a greatest hits package on Warner.
"After that she is a free agent and I believe her managers are in talks with Warner Brothers as well as Live Nation regarding her future as a recording and touring artist."
Madonna is understood to have been working on the follow-up to Confessions On A Dance Floor for some months, with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake.
~ Even though Warner still hasn't confirmed anything, we are now treating both the new album and the upcoming greatest hits package as definitive projects. Earlier today we posted the release schedule of Warner, and after much speculation by fans, the "to be determined" double CD might be the new studio album itself, also released as a limited edition with a DVD, while "Best Of Remixes" being the "greatest hits package".
It might be a real double disc release with around 20 new songs, or the second disc would contain the same tracks but in remixed versions. It's sad that fans have to decipher Warner's plans like that, but if the October date is true (for any of the releases) we should expect an announcement very soon.
Madonna to celebrate Rosh Hashana in Israel
Source: Jerusalem Post - 24 August 2007Pop star Madonna is coming back to Israel, and this time she's bringing her celebrity friends.
Actors Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and fashion designer Donna Karan are among the famous faces scheduled to arrive as part of a Kabbalah Center tour being organized for the High Holidays, representatives of the organization confirmed Thursday. The trip was first reported in Yediot Aharonot.
The singer, who celebrated her 49th birthday last week, will travel on a private jet, joining several thousand other Kabbalah Center students for the first few days of the pilgrimage, a 10-day affair that kicks off before Rosh Hashana [September 13th] and will mix lessons in Jewish mysticism with visits to Jerusalem, the Galilee and the Golan Heights.
The trip marks Madonna's first appearance in Israel since September 2004, when the singer spent five days traveling the country as part of a private Kabbalah Center tour and study program.
As with her previous trip to Israel - the singer also performed a 1993 concert in Tel Aviv - Madonna will be joined by her husband, the English filmmaker Guy Ritchie.
In addition to the couple's three children, who include a baby boy the pair adopted in Malawi last October, the singer will be accompanied byHollywood friends Moore and Kutcher, married Kabbalah Center enthusiasts who may also bring along Moore's ex-husband, the action star Bruce Willis.
For Karan, the trip marks the clothing mogul's second visit to the Jewish state this year, and comes four months after her in-person acceptance of an honorary fellowship at Tel Aviv's Shenkar College of Engineering and Design.
Israel's A-list holiday visitors will be joined on their trip by 3,000 Kabbalah Center students from around the world, who in contrast to their celebrity counterparts will arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport via regularly scheduled El Al flights.
Unlike other participants, Madonna is not expected to stay for the entirety of the program, though "maybe she'll be back here for the end, for Yom Kippur [September 22nd]," said Asaf Levi, a Kabbalah Center spokesman.
Madonna's return visit represents the continued closeness of her nearly decade-long relationship with the Kabbalah Center, which first became public knowledge around the release of Ray of Light, the singer's spiritually-themed 1998 techno album.
Criticisms that the center has commercialized an ancient form of Jewish mysticism - its Web site sells $26 packages of red string to ward off "the Evil Eye" - haven't prevented the pop star's successful recruitment of her celebrity friends and acolytes, who include Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Among those accompanying the singer on next month's visit, Moore is "known to have waxed Kabbalistic" on the set of 2003's Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, according to an article published the following year in USA Today.
Levi declined to say whether more entertainers may join the upcoming trip, remarking that the issue "isn't closed, so I don't want to give any comments at this time."
The spokesman said Israel's press would be asked to keep its distance from the visiting celebrities, a request prompted by the national media's aggressive pursuit of Madonna on her last trip to the country, when she was heavily guarded by private security and a police escort. "We've talked about [those problems] and we hope it will be different," Levi said, adding that he couldn't be more specific about security precautions being taken this time around.
Madonna and her celebrity friends won't perform for the public, Levi said, though he held out the possibility that the singer would meet with Tourism Ministry or other government officials during her stay. The singer accepted a small gift from then-tourism minister Gideon Ezra during anofficial reception on her most recent visit, telling audience members that she and those she met on her trip "have one thing in common - we want to create peace in the world."
Should Madonna and her fellow stars end up meeting government officials during their stay, it won't be their first brush with the country's leadership. In a 2005 interview for Israeli television, Willis - still unconfirmed for the trip - expressed admiration for then-prime minister Ariel Sharon, with the Die Hard star commenting that he'd been impressed by the toughness of the veteran politician and army commander.
Kutcher, best known for his work on That '70s Show and MTV reality program Punk'd, had an even more direct encounter with the Israeli government last October, meeting with Shimon Peres briefly in Berlin.
In town to promote his latest movie, the Dude, Where's My Car? star put in a hasty request for a meeting with Peres after learning that he, too, was in the German capital on business.
At their meeting, Peres fielded questions from Kutcher about Israel's security situation, with Kutcher ending the conversation with a pledge to visit Israel someday with his wife.
Warner release schedule updated
24 August 2007The release schedule of Warner has been updated, with these entries added:
TBS OCTOBER 2007
MADONNA "TBD" (2 CD) 2 289404 WB
MADONNA "TBD" (2 CD + MVI) 9 289468 WB
MADONNA Best Of Remixes 2 231356 WB
TBS means "to be specified"; "TBD" means "to be determined" and "MVI" stands for "Music Video Interactive" disc. This seems to be the greatest hits project Liz talked about, but it's weird that they want to release it before the new album. Hopefully Warner will finally announce the exact plans very soon!
Timberlake felt like a stalker around Madonna
Source: Contactmusic - 24 August 2007Justin Timberlake struggled to keep his eyes off pop superstar Madonna when they collaborated for her upcoming album. The pair recorded a top secret duet, which has yet to be released, in London earlier this year (07) - and Timberlake admits he was unnerved around the music legend. He says, "It was amazing. I was just constantly staring at her. I became like the weird stalker in the corner."
New Madonna tracks being tested in clubs?
23 August 2007History repeats itself? According to fansite Drownedmadonna, a 6-track promo CD, containing The Beat Goes On is being played in NYC clubs to test reactions, without mentioning that they are Madonna songs.
This strategy was already used 2 years ago, when Stuart Price tested the Confessions On A Dance Floor tracks. We wonder if this is an indication for The Beat Goes On becoming a single - which actually got polarized reactions among the Madonna fan community.
Justin denies VMA collaboration
23 August 2007Last night Justin Timberlake gave a short interview for Access Hollywood and denied the rumour about Madonna performing with him on the VMA. We won't give up hoping though! You can watch the interview @ Madonnadownload.
Madonna is top bad girl gone good
Source: Contactmusic - 23 August 2007Madonna has topped a new list of bad girls gone good, beating off Drew Barrymore and Mary J. Blige. Editors at In Touch magazine in America have crowned the Material Girl as the ultimate reformed woman in their upcoming issue. They write, "Madonna is a devoted mom these days, but back in the '80s and '90s, she was every mother's worst nightmare! "Whether expressing herself in racy videos or posing nude for her Sex book, she was determined to shock." The top five is: 1. Madonna 2. Drew Barrymore 3. Mary J. Blige 4. Fergie 5. Christina Aguilera.
Is Justin Madonna's new MTV Boy-Toy?
Source: E!Online - 23 August 2007Are the two really teaming up to perform together at MTV's Video Music Awards next month in Las Vegas?
An MTV rep just told me, "It's a fantastic rumor." Reps for Timberlake and Madonna did not comment.
Hmmm.
Here's what I'm hearing: There are no concrete plans—yet.
Producers, a source tells me, have spoken to J.T. about it. And the idea has been presented to Madonna. "She is interested," my source reports.
Madge should be interested. There's no one better at transforming herself into what people want right now than the original Material Girl. A hookup with the 26-year-old Timberlake could mean only one thing: more fans!
Four years ago, Madonna made international headlines by kissing Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera onstage at the VMAs.
Let's hope she creates the same magic on Sept. 9.
Hey, Justin, pucker up!
Liz denies NYC birthday gig & adoption problems
22 August 2007The following article from NY Daily News talks about some gossip regarding Madonna's fired gamekeeper which Liz Rosenberg did not comment, but the spokeswoman denied the speculated 50th birthday gig in NYC and the adoption problems that keep resurfacing in the media:
Madonna and hubby Guy Ritchie have been chillaxing at their 1,200-acre British estate. But one member of the staff isn't waiting for them to head back to London.
Gamekeeper Martin Taylor has quit after Ritchie broke his arm in a "play fight," according to Britain's Evening Standard.
Taylor and some local mates liked "to take the mickey out of Guy" by sparring with the judo-loving filmmaker, a source told the paper. But there was "simmering tension" after Taylor injured his arm and "Guy never apologized," the source added.
Taylor, who'd worked at the estate for five years, was already feeling hamstrung after Madonna ruled that shooting birds violated her kabbala beliefs. Madonna's rep, Liz Rosenberg, had no immediate comment on the alleged arm-breaking.
Rosenberg did deny a report that Madonna may celebrate her 50th birthday next August with a concert in Central Park. She also dismissed claims that officials in Malawi are trying to get Madonna to return her adopted child David Banda.
"Everything's going according to plan," said Rosenberg, adding that Her Madgesty is working on a documentary about her trip there, as well as collaborating with Justin Timberlake, Pharrell and Timbaland on her next album.
~ On the right you can see a picture of Madonna's 49th birthday, as reported last week.
VMA rumours getting stronger, new song leaks
22 August 2007The rumours of Madonna performing at this year's MTV Video Music Awards are getting stronger, she's rumoured to perform with none other than Justin Timberlake himself. The show set to be broadcast live from Las Vegas on September 9th. You can find a short clip of the rumour from Entertainment Tonight at Madonnadownload.
Also, the track The Beat Goes On leaked in its entirety and it clearly marks a new era because it has a totally new sound from Madonna, with hot R&B beats and guitars, featuring Pharrell Williams and Madonna sporting her high and low vocals throughout the song.
Annie Lennox collaboration previewed
21 August 2007Last night Annie Lennox gave an interview to BBC Radio 2 and played a clip of the track 'Sing' which features Madonna (and possibly other female artists). Unfortunately this new song isn't as exciting as yesterday's clip, but in the end it might turn out interesting. Click here to listen to the interview or click here to download the clip of 'Sing'.
Stuart Price producing Seal's new album
21 August 2007We still don't know the exact list of Madonna's collaborators on her new album, but it's interesting to point out that Seal is releasing his new album 'System' on November 20th with Confessions On A Dance Floor mastermind Stuart Price producing it, creating a new dancy style for Seal.
It makes us think that Stuart's role on Madonna's new album would be limited, because both albums are scheduled to release around the same time. Click here to read a short Billboard article of Seal talking about his newfound dance direction (possibly inspired by Stuart's own style).
Stuart is also rumoured to create dance tracks for Kylie Minogue, also slated for release later this year.
'The Beat Goes On' clip leaks
21 August 2007Just a few weeks after the previous leak of 'Candy Shop', another clip of a Madonna/Pharrell Williams collaboration surfaces, called The Beat Goes On, thanx to MadonnaFanzine member ditaluver!
Just like the previous one, it seems to be the bridge of the song (and cuts before the chorus). The track is obviously sporting Pharrell's signature sound, and he is even singing backing vocals, while Madonna's voice is high-pitched, just like in 'Candy Shop'.
But it definitely has Madonna's touch, and is very catchy, makes us really excited for the new record! You can listen to the 23 seconds long clip here. The lyrics are the following:
Always the bride's maid, never the bride
Two steps behind, you've got too much pride
Always supporting, never the star
Get it together, cause the beat goes on
Read the rest of the lyrics, also provided by ditaluver on The Beat Goes On page!
More news about supposed label change
Source: FOXNews - 20 August 2007Madonna is considering leaving her current label Warner Music Group (WMG) after her next two albums are released, her publicist told FOXNews.com.
Among the alternatives the pop music icon is considering is a deal with Los Angeles-based Live Nation, Britain's leading promotions company and venue owner, said Liz Rosenberg, who represents Madonna and also works at WMG.
Music industry insiders have estimated such a move could be worth $100 million to the Material Girl.
But before any new contracts with Live Nation, WMG or any other company can be arranged, Rosenberg said, Madonna will release her forthcoming and as-yet untitled album — set to come out later this year or early next — and a greatest hits album with WMG, the label she has been with throughout her career.
"Once that's done, Madonna is a free agent," Rosenberg said. "Her management is considering a move to another company."
The news comes only weeks after WMG stock dropped to an all-time low, dipping below $10 to $9.79 a share, as reported by FOXNews.com's 411 on Aug. 7.
~ While FOX is usually not the best source for accurate Madonna news, seems Madonna is really considering leaving her label after 25 years, but the Live Nation contract is not definitive. The release date for the new album doesn't seem to be a quote from Liz herself (just an earlier speculation) but it looks like a greatest hits release is inevitable, hopefully it's going to be the career-spanning box set next year to celebrate Madonna's 25 year-long musical career.
Label switch could be worth $100 million to Madonna
Source: The Times - 20 August 2007Madonna is considering leaving Warner Music, her career-long record label, to move to Live Nation, the venues and promotions company, in a deal valued by music industry executives at about $100 million (£50.5 million).
The agreement being talked about involves combining the superstar's future recordings with her proven ability to generate massive income touring.
Warner has yet to acknowledge defeat, but industry executives expect the singer to move and receive a pay-out that would be in line with the £50 million that Robbie Williams received from EMI in 2002.
It would be a significant coup for the Los Angeles-based Live Nation, which is Britain's leading venue owner and promoter, running Wembley Arena and owning the Brixton Academy. Until now, Live Nation has barely been involved in the recorded music business, although the talks reflect the fact that Madonna's future earnings are likely to be dominated by touring.
Confessions, her 2006 tour, grossed an estimated $260.1 million, according to Billboard, including eight sellout dates at Wembley Arena, which grossed £11.8 million.
The agreement reflects growing industry efforts to strike new deals with artists that include access to their touring income because the future for recording sales is so bleak.
A film with a cause: The 11th Hour
Source: Madonna.com - 19 August 2007We wanted to inform Madonna fans regarding an important film with a cause close to Madonna's heart. The film THE 11th HOUR is working to alert people to the state of our environment and what we can do about it.
Produced and narrated by Leonardo diCaprio, THE 11th HOUR hits screens around the United States this weekend. For more information and details on showtimes visit www.11thhourfilm.com
Madonna got the beats of Swizz Beatz? *rumour*
19 August 2007Hip hop producer Swizz Beatz is releasing his first solo album next week and a New York Post article mentions that Swizz was recruited to produce new records for many artists, including Madonna (on a sitenote: Gwen Stefani's next single is also produced by Swizz, called 'Now That You Got It').
We still don't have an official confirmation about all her current collaborators, but Swizz Beatz as a possible producer for Madonna was mentioned in March already.
Meanwhile, do check out all the facts & rumours of the new album we've got so far!
Madonna filming a new video in NYC?
18 August 2007During slow news days, we grasp at every bit of information about Madonna's upcoming projects. Today's news piece is coming from an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, which writes about David Beckham's success in New York City.
The article gives us a hint with saying "Madonna, who was filming a clip nearby". Hopefully we'll hear more about this in the upcoming days!
Madge gives her pals some grip
Source: Victoria Newton @ The Sun - 17 August 2007I never thought that Madonna would spend her 49th birthday with a bunch of gipsies.
But the Queen Of Pop — who has millionaires Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Stella McCartney as friends — slummed it on her big day yesterday with a traveller-themed bash for 20 close pals.
And Madge and husband Guy Ritchie laid on fab entertainment at their country pile in Wiltshire.
The singer splashed out on The Devil's Horsemen to lay on an equestrian show. The troop travel the UK dressed in medieval-themed costumes to perform jousting shows.
I imagine her manicured lawn will be in in an awful state today.
Madge must have taken inspiration from new best pal Eugene Hutz, from gipsy punk band Gogol Bordello.
The pair performed a Romany-inspired routine to her hit La Isla Bonita at the Live Earth gig last month. He played at her party too.
I hear Eugene teamed up with Russian gipsy act The Kolpakov Trio to get guests dancing until dawn.
It's amazing to think she'll be 50 next year.
As I told you earlier this week, Madonna is planning to put on a special gig at New York's Central Park to celebrate.
You can send my invitation to Bizarre HQ if you like, Madge?
Something to remember: Her laughter burns you up inside
17 August 2007Just two weeks after another chart topping anniversary, exactly 20 years ago this week Madonna was also topping the Billboard Hot 100, with her brand new soundtrack single, Who's That Girl. Other than being a soundtrack single, it actually shares some other similarities with the #1 hit from 15 years ago.
Not only Who's That Girl also spent one week at the top, it also shares the same fate of being a forgotten #1 hit because it wasn't included on Madonna's first greatest hits compilation, The Immaculate Collection. However, it is undoubtedly one of Madonna's biggest hits because it reached #1 in many countries, and is one of Madonna's five transatlantic hits. It has not been performed ever since the tour with the same name also 20 years ago, with many hoping Madonna would re-embrace it with a brand new live treatment on an upcoming tour...
Two Madonna songs to be covered on Radio 1 anniversary album
16 August 2007UK BBC Radio 1 station is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and they compiled an album with songs from each of the last 40 years, but with various artists covering them.
Two of Madonna's hit singles are featuring, Groove Armada is covering Crazy For You from 1991 (the UK had a re-release of the track in that year) and a new rendition of 1998's Ray Of Light by Natasha Bedingfield is also going to be included. Check out the complete tracklist here!
Birthday message from Madonna.com
Source: Madonna.com - 16 August 2007Can you believe it's that time of the year already? Everyone at Madonna.com would like to wish Madonna a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! The forthcoming 12 months will see new and amazing Madonna related projects, so get ready to dance and sing!
Happy Birthday again Madonna and thank you for turning the whole world into such a fantastic dance floor. We all love you!!!
~ We hope that the projects they are hinting at are those that were mentioned in the press a few weeks ago! ;-)
Happy Birthday Madonna!
16 August 2007
The Mad-Eyes team would like to wish Madonna an amazing 49th birthday! We hope the next year will be full of happiness and success, with many hit singles from the new album, and with another amazing world tour! Congrats & cheers, M !!
Timberlake under 'gag order' from Madonna
Source: ContactMusic - 14 August 2007Pop superstar Madonna has banned Justin Timberlake from revealing details of their recent collaboration. The pair recorded a top secret duet, which has yet to be released, in London earlier this year (07), and former 'N Sync star Timberlake has been ordered not to talk about it. He says, "I don't want to tell you the name of the song because she'll either kill me or have me kill you."
50th birthday concert in Central Park?
Source: ContactMusic - 13 August 2007Superstar Madonna is reportedly planning to ring in her 50th year with a special gig in New York City's Central Park. The 48-year-old singer is in talks to mark her entry into her Quinquagenarian years on 16 August 2008, as part of a U.S. tour to promote her forthcoming album.
A source tells British newspaper The Sun, "One of the ideas she loves is to do Central Park on her birthday. She came up with it and has been discussing it as a serious possibility. "She doesn't like getting older but she knows there's no way she can pretend her birthday isn't happening.
"She is planning to kick off a world tour next June in America to promote her new album. Playing at Central Park would be the highlight. "She sees it as a huge televised event."
Justin: "There's a couple of duets in there"
9 August 2007After Timbaland spilling the beans yesterday, now it's Justin's turn to reveal some additional info regarding Madonna's new album. Here's part of an interview by Herald Sun:
He's written and produced songs for everyone from Rihanna to Reba McEntire, not to mention Duran Duran, Macy Gray, 50 Cent and Madonna.
Paparazzi photographs of Timberlake and Madonna leaving recording studios in London have appeared in magazines all around the world.
The pair share more than a CV that includes kissing Britney Spears.
So far Madonna, Timberlake and FutureSex/LoveSounds co-producer Timbaland have written six songs for her forthcoming album.
"There's a couple of duets in there," a cagey Timberlake says of his work with the queen of pop.
Madonna offering the creative olive branch to a young performer (Timberlake is still only 26) must be like getting to meet pop's answer to Yoda (admittedly a hotter version thereof). She was topping charts when Timberlake was filling nappies.
"She's a very talented lady," Timberlake says diplomatically. "There are definitely moments when I think, wow, I'm singing with Madonna. But she's so cool. She's very clever, very innovative. I was humbled working with her. She's fun to work with and she takes advice. Plus she has an amazing mind."
Pressed, Timberlake says some of the Madonna tracks have grooves that sound like her first album, but with more advanced lyrics.
"It kind of meets in the middle between what she does and what I do. It's exactly how you want to hear Madonna right now. It doesn't sound quite like anything she's done yet it still sounds like Madonna."
Madonna's gravitating towards Timberlake is perhaps the ultimate barometer of his acceleration from pop star to pop icon -- and of his credibility.
~ The number of the tracks seem to differ now, but we can assume 6 of them is definitely going to be on the album, maybe with the additional 4.
Mad-Eyes team enhances site with new sections
8 August 2007The past week the Mad-Eyes team has kept itself busy with fresh updates and brand new site sections. Web Assistant Dani (Hungary) visited WebMaster Bartie (Belgium) and together we worked hard to further enhanced your favourite Madonna fansite.
One of the results is the Awards section (under Mad-Career) which collects Madonna's most important awards & nominations.
Secondly there's the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ, under Mad-News), where we gathered the questions we most often get from fans in our mailbox. The Mad-Eyes FAQ gives you a clear answer on your question and often adds new Q&A.
Many questions are of course about Madonna's next album, so we launched a separate page for that, where you can read facts & rumours about the upcoming release.
The discography was also further expanded on popular demand with infopages of Madonna's recent two live albums.
We also take an attempt to remind fans about Madonna's career milestones in our news section, labeled as "Something to remember".
Since we've been working on the site for 6 years now, we want to know who OUR fans are, so please do vote in our poll.
We hope you all enjoy these updates and keep surfing Mad-Eyes!
~ The Mad-Eyes team
Timbaland talks about new M album, co-produces 10 tracks
Source: MTV.com - 8 August 2007Timbaland is finally back in the States after touring overseas with Justin Timberlake, and yes — his trip was productive. Not only did the duo shoota video with 50 Cent, but they also worked with a cultural icon.
"We just did Madonna's record," Timbo said, sitting in the "TRL" green room. He was part of the cavalcade of stars — including Kanye West, Common, Rihanna and Robin Thicke — who came out for the VMA press conference on Tuesday. "Me and Justin did the records" for the album, he continued, saying Madonna is almost done with the effort. "She's great. ... She's got a hot album. Her album is up there with Justin's album."
Tim says he and Justin wrote and produced 10 songs for Madge's LP, many of which will make the club jump.
"Ah, man," Tim gushed. "There's this one song, we taking it back to 'You must be my luck-eee starrrr!' ... Remember 'Ugly' by Bubba Sparxxx? I got a beat similar to that. The hook is no words. It's saying stuff named after coffee — all these different names for coffee — is the hook. ... The name of the song is 'La, La.' Pharrell did a hot one for her too called 'Candy Shop.' She's off the chain."
The production legend said there isn't a title for the opus yet, but he will be reconvening with the singer in September to finish it up.
~ Finally MTV brought us some exciting album news! This is the first official confirmation of the record, and also of the leaked demo 'Candy Shop'.
Liz denies latest adoption controversy
Source: 24/Sizzler.com - 6 August 2007Madonna's rep exclusively tells 24Sizzler.com that a report from Reuters, via the Malawi News, in which Malawi's Child Welfare Services director Penstone Kilembe says that the country's minister for Women and Child Development has barred him from visiting Madonna's adopted son David Banda in the U.K., is not true.
"The information regarding the adoption that was reported on Reuters is simply not accurate," Madonna's rep Liz Rosenberg tells 24Sizzler.com. "The adoption process is going along very well and according to proper procedure."
Madonna's Sorry to appear on Pet Shop Boys remix album
6 August 2007On the latest of the Pet Shop Boys' remix album series called 'Disco', their remix of the single Sorry is going to be included.
The mix, which includes additional vocals from the boys themselves, was first released early 2006 on the Sorry maxi-single and the guest vocals were later used during Madonna's live performance of the track on the Confessions Tour.
The remix compilation is set to be released on September 24th. Click here for the complete tracklisting.
Madonna's adoption of Malawi boy hits snag
Source: Reuters - 5 August 2007U.S. pop star Madonna's adoption of a child from the impoverished nation of Malawi hit a snag after the court-appointed official assigned to the case was denied permission to travel to Britain.
One of Malawi's leading weekly newspapers reported on Sunday that Minister of Women and Child Development Kate Kainja had barred Penstone Kilembe from making his planned trip to assess the suitability of Madonna and her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, as the boy's adoptive parents.
The minister was not immediately available for comment, but Kilembe confirmed the minister had stopped him making the trip.
Madonna was given custody of David Banda last October when he was 13 months old after his father, Yohane Banda, had placed him in an orphanage following the death of his wife.
The High Court of Malawi appointed Kilembe to travel to Britain twice and was to have relied on his testimony in ruling whether Madonna's adoption of the child should be formalized in a hearing next year.
The Malawi News newspaper reported that the minister accused Kilembe of obtaining an air ticket and money from Madonna without government approval.
"We have already contacted Madonna that someone else and not Kilembe will come to asses her, because we feel Mr. Kilembe personalized the whole issue when other people can go," the Minister told the newspaper.
Kilembe dismissed suggestions that he personally asked Madonna for an air ticket.
"What this means is that the whole adoption process may crumble and David sent back to his village," he told Reuters.
Justin Dzonzi, a lawyer who led a 65-member human rights group in challenging Madonna's adoption, also said the minister's decision could halt the adoption process.
"The Minister cannot change what the court set by having another person to do the assessment. The court will not listen to anyone else apart from the one it appointed," he said.
Dzonzi filed the case arguing that Malawi laws forbid international adoption and therefore the government broke its own laws by granting Madonna an interim adoption.
Something to remember: "Je suis la chef!"
5 August 2007Seventeen years ago today, the greatest show on Earth (at the time) was broadcast live on the HBO network. We're obviously talking about the mega-successful Blond Ambition Tour, which had its last show in Nice, France on August 5th, 1990.
Arguably at the peak of her popularity, Madonna's live show was the one which revolutionized concerts and became one of the most talked about tours ever. On the Nice show itself, Madonna was true to herself, she made the French fans (and tv viewers) know she was the boss (la chef) around and she even did a nasty joke about the Garden of Eden & fish. ;-)
But most importantly, she gave an energetic performance throughout 18 songs, including the stunning opener Express Yourself, the infamous masturbating scene of Like A Virgin, followed by Like A Prayer performed in fervor and of course her then-current megahit Vogue, which immortalized the fan favourite choreography forever.
The broadcast got a limited release on laserdisc, but unfortunately not a VHS or DVD release, so the fans have been waiting for a proper release of this tour for seventeen years by now...
Madonna's upcoming mammoth ten-month work regime *rumour*
Source: Daily Mail - 5 August 2007With the future of her son's adoption depending on an imminent visit by a child welfare officer from his native Malawi, Madonna is doing everything in her power to make sure she keeps custody of 18-month-old David Banda.
Last week she flew back from New York - where she is recording a new album and house-hunting - to prepare for the arrival of Penston Kilembe, who is due to spend up to five days at the singer's £6.5 million London home.
But the 48-year-old star's plans to be reunited with her family are to be short-lived. She aims to return to New York as soon as the inspection is over, to put the finishing touches to her new album.
After a short break with her film director husband Guy Ritchie and their children, Madonna will then be working non-stop until mid-2008.
"The finishing touches still have to be added to her new album, so she is flying back to the States once the officer's visit is over."
Madonna, who has a daughter, Lourdes, 11, and a six-year-old son, Rocco, has already told her husband she will be working back to back from September.
"Madonna has promised to take a six-week break to spend time with Guy and the children before embarking on her mammoth ten-month work regime," adds the source.
"After the new record is released in November she is getting ready for a world tour that kicks off next June, then she is launching a 25th anniversary box set and a set of 12 children's books."
A spokesman for Madonna declined to comment.
~ Even though this all sounds fantastic and we're already full of excitement, we're treating this as a rumour until we get any official confirmation.
MTV to celebrate 25 years with Madonna? *rumour*
Source: MADONNAdownload - 4 August 2007MTV is working on a two hour spectacular in honor of Madonna to be aired during the 20007-'08 season.
The details are still very under wraps but sources tells MADONNAdownload MTV is signing some of today's biggest artists to take part at the event.
Madonna is due to perform at the live show as well.
No official word on this project as of now - take this story with a grain of salt until its 100% confirmed.
Stay tuned for more as it becomes available.
~ This seems to be another chapter of the MTV Icon awards, which was first handed out to Janet Jackson in 2001.
Madonna adoption in Malawi not finalized
Source: AP via Yahoo - 4 August 2007Malawian rights organizations say their government needs help monitoring Madonna's planned adoption of David Banda.
Madonna and her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, took custody of David, then 14 months old, last October. His father had placed David in an orphanage.
Malawi's Child Welfare Services is expected to file a report on the couple's suitability as adoptive parents after two trips to their London residence this year. But welfare services has already missed one visit, which was set for May.
Director Penston Kilembe, who is overseeing the case, indicated in an interview this week that money is an issue. He said hopes to go to London by month's end.
"We have been unable to travel because of logistical problems," Kilembe said. "You know it requires some resources for me to travel."
Malawian law is fuzzy on foreign adoptions. Regulations only stipulate that prospective parents undergo an 18- to 24-month assessment period, a rule that was bent when Madonna and Ritchie were allowed to take David home.
Lawyer Justin Dzonzi is chairman of a coalition of 67 children's and human rights organizations that raised the lack of regulations in their successful lawsuit to become party to overseeing David's adoption.
Dzonzi said it was unrealistic to expect Malawi to oversee the adoption without help, possibly from British child welfare authorities.
"We just don't have the resources and the expertise," Dzonzi said.
International adoption and children's rights groups have said the lack of clarity in Malawi's law could make the southern African country's children vulnerable to trafficking.
"We have reservations" about Malawi's ability to oversee the Madonna adoption on its own, said Maxwell Matewere of Eye of the Child, which is part of the Human Rights Consultative Committee. "We are a little worried whether Kilembe is competent enough to assess the U.K. environment and to make a fair conclusion on the whole process." Kilembe said his job is straightforward.
"What we expect is the child must be provided all the necessities of basic needs for him to grow up. He must go to school, must socialize, he must be taken care of, must have a ... comprehensive medical cover so that he is able to be protected."
Madonna's celebrity makes David's prospective family different from most.
Stevan Whitehead, chairman of the Overseas Adoption Support and Information Service, a private British group, said David was in the spotlight when he was first brought to London, where photographers and TV cameras met him at the airport.
"Frankly, I blame the media for that, I don't blame his mother. And since then she's done a very good job to keep him out of the spotlight," Whitehead said. "If he is kept out of the media, I can't see any significant difference between being brought up by a pop star or anybody else."
David's father said he was happy to have the adoption go ahead as long as David is well looked after.
"Yes, I miss him," he added.
Something to remember: This Used To Be Her 10th chart topper
3 August 2007 
15 years ago this week Madonna scored her tenth US #1 with the sentimental ballad This Used To Be My Playground. It was written for the movie A League Of Their Own, but strangely it didn't appear on its soundtrack (probably because of contractual issues), only on the Olympics sampler Barcelona Gold.
While some dismiss the song as Madonna's least deserving number one (it only eked out one week on the top of the chart without reaching the summit of either Hot 100 Airplay or Hot 100 Sales and a week after it was pushed aside by the mega-successful 'End Of The Road' by Boyz II Men), it's still a fan favourite and it was one of the very few Madonna singles of the early 90s without any controversy attached to it.
The song, co-written and co-produced by Shep Pettibone, finally found a "home" on a Madonna album three years later on the ballad compilation Something To Remember. Unfortunately 6 years after that it didn't end up on Madonna's second greatest hits album GHV2 even though it is considered as one of her bigger hits.
Prince makes fun of Madonna
Source: NMC - 3 August 2007Prince poked fun at Madonna during a recent London gig at the O2 Stadium.
The purple one said to the crowd, "I got so many hits y'all can't handle me. I got more hits than Madonna's got kids."
The killer set included tracks like "Purple Rain," "Kiss", "Black Sweat," and a cover of the Gnarls Barkley hit "Crazy."
This was Prince's first date in his 21-night residency at the venue.
Madonna lawyers seek to halt intimate sale
Source: Contactmusic - 3 August 2007Lawyers acting on behalf of Madonna are battling to stop a sale of the star's love letters and intimate photographs. A series of saucy letters and Polaroids sent by the singer to then boyfriend James Allbright in the early 1990s were recently sold to Marquee Capital, an agency specialising in Madonna memorabilia.
The company is now reported to be selling the effects for $200,000 (GBP100,000), but the star is reported to be "devastated" at the unexpected appearance of the items - as she is concerned they could jeopardise her plans to adopt Malawian tot David Banda permanently.
Penston Kimble, the head of Malawi's child welfare service, is due to spend a week in London with Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie later this month (Aug07). He will ascertain whether the 23-month old can be officially adopted by the couple, who brought him back to the U.K. from a Malawian orphanage last October (06).
Madonna's lawyers insist any sale of the goods would be an invasion of privacy and a breach of copyright.
Madonna & Guy top fashion stakes
Source: Burnley Express - 2 August 2007Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have been voted the best-dressed celebrity couple.
The pair beat David and Victoria Beckham and Sex And The City star Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in the poll.
Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, whose relationship is rumoured to be going through a troubled patch, came second for their "smouldering" red-carpet look.
New Los Angeles residents Posh and Becks were third in the survey of 7,000 fashion fans for In Style magazine.
Singer Gwen Stefani and her British rock star husband Gavin Rossdale were fourth, followed by actress Demi Moore and younger lover Ashton Kutcher, for their "complimentary" wardrobe.
English rose Kate Winslet and American Beauty director Sam Mendes are sixth, while Parker, famous as Carrie in Sex and the City, and Matthew Broderick, star of The Producers, are seventh.
Super-skinny Batman Returns star Kate Bosworth and British model James Rousseau make it into eighth place.
Katie Holmes - who has received fashion advice from Posh Spice - and Tom Cruise also made it into the list, in ninth position.
Despite Kelly Brook's disastrous appearance on the red carpet for the premiere of the film Snatch, when she wore a pink crystal-encrusted dress with matching knickers, the British TV presenter and actress is 10th, with fiance Billy Zane.
Despite her supermodel credentials, Kate Moss and now ex-lover Pete Doherty did not make it into the top 10, while Spider-Man star Kirsten Dunst and on-off flame Razorlight star Johnny Borrell also lost out.
Album release date already pushed back? *rumour*
1 August 2007Fansite DrownedMadonna mentions that Madonna had a meeting with Warner on Monday, July 30th and all parties are agreed to push it back to late November (from late October). The release date is still not carved into stone though.
More rumours about Madonna's current recordings *rumour*
1 August 2007Gossip site Perez Hilton posted a huge batch of rumours about Madonna's current work on her new album. None of the tracks are finished, they are all in DEMO stage.
Here's the list of the 2007 recording sessions, *NOT* the album tracklist:
01. Sleep Deprivation
02. Turn It Up
03. Going Down
04. Little Thang (feat Justin Timberlake)
05. It's The Beat
06. Tight Fit
07. Black
08. Off The Hook (feat Timbaland)
09. Candy Store (feat Pharrell)
10. Eleven Minutes
11. Do I Care
12. Freelancer.34
13. U n M
14. Starlight
15. Hit It Hard
16. Got This Down Right
Some additional info about the tracks:
SLEEP DEPRIVATION is a favorite by both Madonna, the producers and the label. Very Likely to become a single. Apparently it's "revolutionary and fierce".
GOING DOWN has really raunchy lyrics, and it started as a joke. Timberlake worked on it with Madonna.
The rumored title PRETTY LITTLE THANG is in fact called LITTLE THANG and it includes a verse by JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. It's a "midtempo summer jam with a fresh beat".
BLACK is the rumored track called WIZZLE, and it's "organic, crazy and it will rumble your worlds".
The rumored track called THE BEAT GOES ON is actually called IT'S THE BEAT.
OFF THE HOOK is the Timbaland collaboration. Two were recorded, another one he's saving for his next solo record. Single possibly, the executives loved it.
CANDY STORE probably WONT be on the record, along with HIT IT HARD and DO I CARE. Apparently, Madonna is "over them".
FREELANCER.34 is "very experimental" and still completely unfinished. Might become a sort of intro or outro to one of the songs.
U n M is another label favorite, supposedly it's something very new for Madonna.