I won't forget it in a hurry... (Something To Remember - Madonna)

Member Name: aebone

Product:	Something To Remember - Madonna
Date:	20/08/01 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some cracking old songs mixed with some new, Almost a greatest hits mark two?

Disadvantages: Sometimes makes you feel sad...

The follow up to the multi-platinum Bedtime Stories, was 1995s Something To Remember. Described in the press release for the album as ‘a very special collection, which brings together her finest ballads’, it is indeed a very fine record.

One gets the impression that maybe Madonna was feeling a little sorry for her-self around this time, as the sleeve notes state that ‘so much controversy has surrounded her career the last 10 years that the music is all but forgotten’. Without fanfare she introduces the collection of ballads saying, “…all of them are from my heart”. Heck, even the cover of the album has Madonna in a feeling sorry for myself type pose. I suppose she was getting quite a lot of flack around this time though, after the book and records about sex. So, it was her statement for people to take her seriously again. They should have been anyway after the release of the classic ‘Bedtime Stories’, but ‘Something to Remember’ was going to make sure. And I think it did, the collection of serious songs made some see her in a new light, and indeed remember all the stunning music she had brought us since the early 80s. For others it was almost a greatest hits mark two.

So the track listing from the very fine album features several of her big hits, a couple of new recordings and singles never before available on a Madonna album. The 14 tracks leave you feeling rather chilled, if not a little depressed by the end, but are also inspiring and do make you realise just how good Madonna’s music really is.

It begins with ‘I want you’, a cover of Marvin Gaye’s 1976 song, and also a collaboration with Massive Attack. You can tell that Massive Attack have done their work on this record, the beat smacks of them. Lush strings and breathy, seductive vocals wind their way around the rhythm. It’s a pretty super track actually, and leaves you wanting more.


And more you get. Next up, a mix of ‘I’ll Remember’. This is one of the singles never before available on a Madonna album, from the film ‘With Honours’. It actually bridged the gap between Madonna's notorious Erotica period and the sleek Bedtime Stories period, and was successful as a single, spending nearly half a year in the US charts! Maybe a taster of what was to come at the time? This is one of the more upbeat numbers on the album. Still, a pretty sad song about remembering something that is gone.

Then we have ‘Take A Bow’ which featured on the Bedtime Stories album. The song was a massive hit in the states, spending a number of weeks perched above the rest. It again has some great orchestrals, which work very well. The lyrics are also pretty good.

‘You’ll See’ is one of the new songs, written and recorded with David Foster. It has a very Spanish feel to it, with some sharp acoustic guitar, and a meaningful rhythm. This is a very determined song; the lyrics show this lady will not be beaten. It has a bit of an atmosphere about it actually…from the almost rumbling drum at the beginning to the faded out guitar at the end. Lovely.

‘Crazy for You’ is one of the older numbers, which we all remember. It’s a song about fame and love, and physical attraction. It sweeps you away. Its great and you know it is.

Next is the song from the film A League of Their Own, ‘This used to be my Playground’. It’s a beautiful track, it really is. Some more orchestrals come in here; there’s a lovely bit in the middle where they sound amazing. A rhythm, which almost sounds bass heavy, is present throughout, but it does not distract from the rest of the music or the voice surrounding it. I don’t know why but this song always seems to make me want to cry. Anyone else get that?

I have said so much about the next track bef
ore in other reviews, I just love it. ‘Live to Tell’ has to be Madonna’s finest ballad. It makes me listen intently every time it comes on my stereo. There is a terrifically powerful atmosphere to this song. The music is powerful, the voice is powerful, and the lyrics are very powerful indeed. This is another song that appeared on a film, At Close Range. I can’t say much more than it is the best song on this album.

‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’. Another more upbeat song musically. Slightly quicker tempo than the other songs on the album. Quite a nice remix however. Madonna doesn’t sound as good vocally as she has on other records. Perhaps the weakest song on the album?

‘Forbidden Love’. This is another good track. It has some whispered lyrics, which work very well in the background behind the main vocal. It gives the impression of secrecy, of something….well….forbidden. In places the music sounds a little sleazy though. Maybe this was the required effect for the song? Who knows… anyway its alright it is.

Another new song next, ‘One More Chance’. This is a song which s quite bare. A lot of acoustic guitar, and not much else apart from dear Mads, so you can really hear how she sounds. It works well, and I like this song, the breakdown bit in the middle is cracking. Wish I could play my guitar like that.

Ah the classic ‘Rain’. What a super song this one is. With the atmospheric rumbling of thunder and rain falling in the background and the rhythm of the song carrying you away. There’s a fantastic bit in the middle where she says 2 things at the same time, which come out of separate speakers when you play it on the stereo. I like this song. A lot.

‘Oh Father’ is another song which is pretty fantastic, I have to say. ‘You can’t hurt me now!!!’ I am singing it to myself as we speak. A very
dainty beginning to this song, before our orchestral friend returns. The chorus sees the entrance of a little beat. Oh this is another song to take you away.

Finally the end of the album. It ends as it began, with ‘I want You’, although this is the orchestral version. I wouldn’t like to say if I think it is superior to the first version, although it certainly seems much darker. It also makes you want more, but by this time it’s the end, and you have to start thinking about what will go on the CD player next. Oh decisions!

ANYWAY, to end. This is a very nice album, not her best, but it flows well, and certainly has some great songs on it. It is full of very personal songs, that’s why it may seem a little heavy I guess. Madonna had things to get off her chest, and she did it on this album. I think its well worth a listen, and makes good music for a quiet relaxing evening. It may make you feel a little sad though. So, you now be the judge and take a listen to it, you may be pleasantly surprised if you were fed up of the old Madonna.

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