Rating: Summary: eight long years Review: When I read the set list for Madonna's Drowned World 2001 Tour, I, like many others were disappointed. Where was Like A Prayer? Express Yourself? Erotica? Madonna seemed to have discarded hits for album tracks that would be unfamiliar even to her most casual fan. Yet, as we all know, it's unfair to judge something without seeing it first.I was very pleased with Drowned World, but then again I think Madonna is at her most creative when she's on stage. Unlike so many other performers Madonna is extremely imaginative in creating her live shows. Of course the set design, costumes and lighting are top-notch. But that's not what makes this show work; it's the little touches Madonna adds. Take for example her soulful singing on the acoustic tracks "I Deserve It" and "Gone", which sound rather bland on the album "Music", but resonate on stage. And what about the Spanish version of "What It Feels Like For A Girl" in which Madonna sings completely in Spanish and dances with a group of women that is both gender-bending and sensual? Fabulous. Then there's the warm version of "La Isla Bonita" where Madonna plays guitar and sings and dances cheerfully with her dancers. It seems more than ever that Madonna is concentrating on singing her songs rather than dancing and flashy gimmicks. However the show is not without its' problems. Some songs seem too short, particularly "Sky Fits Heaven" which is part of the dazzling Geisha section in which Madonna becomes a flying, vengeful Geisha, and the encore of Holiday, which could have been a bit longer. The cowgirl section doesn't always work. Human Nature doesn't seem to fit in with songs like "Don't Tell Me" and "Secret". I think Madonna could have sang "Express Yourself" and/or especially "American Pie". And what a loss to not hear Madonna herself sing "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" live, especially at this point in her career where her voice has never sounded better. Hearing the instrumental version is fine, but to not see and hear Madonna re-enact that stellar moment on the Casa Rosada, well, is unfortunate. I do agree with one of the reviewers who said that some of show's ideas don't always work. I don't think Drowned World is as well developed a show as Blonde Ambition or Girlie Show in terms of its ideas and theatricality, but musically (ie. Madonna's singing and musical gifts), it's just fine.
Rating: Summary: This DVD exceeds expectations! Review: The DVD of Madonna's Drowned World Tour unexpectedly exceeded my expectations in every way. I had the pleasure of seeing Madonna's Drowned World Tour live in New York City, and this DVD is the next best thing to actually being there. For those who watched and taped this concert off of HBO, the quality of this DVD is far better and gives a more cinematic feel to the concert. Some complained that HBO's coverage of the concert wasn't that great, but this DVD has been altered in some ways to provide a better viewing experience. For example, some camera angles were improved at key points of the concert. The sound quality is amazing, especially if you have a home theater system. This DVD blows any other that I own away! As for the concert itself, Madonna has a tremendous amount of energy that never dies during her performance. Each of the four segments of the concert are unique and entertaining. I haven't seen her other concerts, but I can surely say that this is Madonna at her best!
Rating: Summary: Truly inspired... Review: Without a doubt, Madonnas best tour available on DVD! This is truly a stunning show, and a welcome return. (This was her first world tour in 8 years, and boy, did she return in grand form!) There are many incredible moments in this show, from the stunning opening sequence, Drowned World is a poignant moment. Madonna ups the ante very quickly with the fans dance favourite, Impressive Instant, moving from Beautiful Stranger on to the incredible Candy Perfume Girl. This is the first time you see Madonna play guitar, and competently so! This is a true rock/punk moment! Ray of Light is so full of energy and she performs it really well! Paradise Not For Me, a stunning song, is provided in video form (and what a video!) whilst a surreal dance movement is performed in mid-air by hanging dancers; during this Madonna is preparing for the next segment. AND WHAT A SEGMENT!!! The Japanese section is truly amazing. Frozen / Nobody's Perfect / Mer Girl and Sky Fits Heaven yells a brutal love story, the highlight of which is a truly extraordinary 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' inspired martial arts sequence during Sky Fits Heaven! This sequence culminates with a sexy / perverse manga cartoon set to a dance remix of 'What if feels like for a girl'. Then comes the country and western segment (visually mainly), I Deserve It (Madonna dons her guitar again) / Don't Tell Me (allows for a fantastic dance sequence, and a show highlight) / Human Nature (see M ride an electronic bull) / The Funny Song (a joke song written for this segment) / Secret (guitar again) and the beautiful Gone. This is followed by another costume change (the latin section), and she performs a very sexy spanish version of What It Feels Like for a Girl, doing a sexy tango with a female dancer, and another concert moment, La Isla Bonita, set in a Spanish Barrio - another chance for her to play guitar. The last part of the concert is very energetic, finishing off in splendid form with Holiday and Music. This truly is a fantastic show, and makes you realise what you missed for the last 8 years! The dancers are great, the use of the large screens is very effective, the segments are varied, each with true wow factor, and its interesting to see Madonna get more involved musically, by very competently playing guitar throughout the show. WOW
Rating: Summary: No Matter What Anyone Says, WeCan't Get Enough of ' Mo ' Review: Mo never ceases to amaze with her concerts. She may disappoint with her interviews and shock with her personal life but no one can dispute that Madonna owns the world when she's on stage. Showing that she can compete with anyone under twenty, Madonna starts her show off with a rock sequence that would make Aerosmith pass out from jealousy. She once again uses her creativity to lure the audience in and we can't seem to get enough of the tasty, cherry filling Mo Ciccone pushes out in every song. Because this was a Madonna concert I expected to see some xxx material. Surprisingly she put on a pretty family-oriented show. She didn't curse or grab her crotch once ( if she did I don't remember ) and for Madonna that's saying a lot. Since her 1990 Blond Ambition tour she's toned her act down a lot if not her personal life. Maybe it's the fact that she's a mother now and on her way to being a musical legend that's changed her. It's good to know she hasn't lost her originality along the way. The Queen of Sleaze ( as we used to call her in the mid-90's ) leaves a mark of talent no one will ever be able to conquer. Madonna gives a heart stopping show full of excitement and downright, intense fun. This is not my favorite Mo concert by all means. I found Blond Ambition a lot more creative and The Girlie Show 1993 even more creative but Drowned speaks the language Madonna presented at the moment in 2001. She was drowning in self-worship and everlasting fame. She proved, if only for one night that she deserves it.
Rating: Summary: good enough! Review: Madonna is the most exciting pop performer out there! She's the one that takes huge risks and just gives you something new everytime. Unlike others who continue to repeat the same dance routines for the same songs for every tour they embark on. I've been heavily impressed with her tours ever since the blond ambition. But when I got the chance to see the drowned world tour on HBO, I just wasn't too impressed for the first time in so long! It took me almost 2 yrs to get the drowned world on DVD and now I'm glad I did. I don't own any other madonna live concert DVDs and I'm happy to own this one at least. I was very much impressed with the work of hamish hamilton who also worked on U2's tour back in 2001. He made this DVD very much worthwhile. None of madonna's other concert DVDs are well edited like this one. when you watch the video screens that are being played during the concert, it pops up on your screen as you would be watching it thru your tv screen instead of thru the audience like on the HBO broadcast. Take to mind that I was not too crazy about this tour as The Girlie Show was better in my opinion but just the way this DVD has been edited definitely made me change my mind. What stops me from giving this DVD 5 stars is that it could've included more bonus features like behind the scenes access and tour rehearsal footage!
Rating: Summary: Madonna has done it again Review: This tour, from 2001, sold out in every venue in every city. That's because Madonna is so in-demand and popular. Her talent and skills will overwhelm you. Don't believe me? Then check out this DVD. Your life will be altered forever!
Rating: Summary: Great Show Review: What can I say? Very enjoyable, a good show, She's still in the top of the music. Madonna's Drowned World Tour is very different off all the concerts out there. She's a profesional and put the best on her shows.
Rating: Summary: One of her most creative shows ever! Review: After the Blonde Ambition Tour, this remains her most impressive. The audience gets to see many different facets of Madonna the artist. It has a philosophical twist to it that takes you on a journey touching upon subjects which are very thought-provoking, honest and spiritual. This tour is an unusual one simply because she chose specifically not perform any of her earlier material, but the simple explanation to that may be because the whole show was a concept, a story that she wanted to tell, it is far too theatrical to rely on her earlier music, so specific tracks were chosen to be performed. The show had some great choreography, great video sequences and performance art, and it rivals The Blonde Ambition in every single way except that there was a different, stronger and narcisstic Madonna on display with the Blonde Ambition. Drowned World strikes a good balance between theatre and a more intimate, unplugged feel to the show which makes a good contrast. Anyone wanting a less theatrical show got to see Madonna just sing without any other distractions going on but there was something in it for everyone unlike her other tours. It's a good show, although it may only be to specific certain tastes as with everything Madonna does, but it is worth checking out. This tour has been such an inspiration for many artists too to follow everything from stage design and concept to the themes and music covered. It is well worth it.
Rating: Summary: Who Else But Madonna?! Review: What is left to be said? Madonna is a living legend and her "Drowned World Tour" was a testement to that. Who else could hit the road with a completely offbeat, dark, and essentially fabulous production? Name one person...I dare you. The DVD of the show is a different edit from the version aired on HBO in August of 2001. And the audio and video quality have been amped up (hence the DVD right?!), to a brilliant effect. The quality is crisp and clear, and through headphones the sound is amazing. Theatrical in nature, Madonna's "Drowned World Tour" has now made way for her more straight forward "Re-Invention Tour"...but don't let the lack of catalog hits fool you. This show will make you think and showcases Madonna's tremendous experimentalist ideas. A definate must see.
Rating: Summary: Gave my DVD away Review: I supposedly had bought the last ticket available for the Concert when it was scheduled for Continental Airlines Arena at Meadowlands, NJ., and I was supposed to see it in August 2001. However, because of a sore throat, Madonna cancelled. Boy, am I glad she did and I received my money back. I would have trekked out there alone, by public transportation and been BORED TO DEATH. I know because I bought the DVD to see the "concert" I missed. Didn't miss anything. She doesn't even seem to have been there herself. I was so disappointed that I gave my DVD away. All her previous concerts were great, so don't know what happened.
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