True Blue [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

As I did with my review of Madonna's first album (remastered), I will start with comments on the actual track list, followed be comments on the digitally remastered version.

TRUE BLUE, in my mind, is probably Madonna at her most inspirational. Other flashes of excellence like RAY OF LIGHT and LIKE A PRAYER may indeed receive mention, but it is this album that will always peg Madonna as a serious and brilliantly gifted artist. Five songs were released to great success internationally, viz. "Live To Tell", "Papa Don't Preach", "Open Your Heart", "True Blue" and "La Isla Bonita". Moreover, "White Heat" was a fairly large hit in South Africa, and "Where's The Party" stormed the charts throughout the Far East. It is this latter song which begs to be remodelled and re-released in time for Madonna's upcoming Greatest Hits package (the 2nd "Immaculate Collection"). I personally fail to understand why this song was never released internationally in the first place.

The album opens with "Papa Don't Preach" - a superbly composed, poetic tune that sets a rather gloomy ambience. This is followed by "Open Your Heart", an upbeat, inspiring piece which is full of energy and aplomb. "White Heat" ensues, with a child-like theme akin to "cops `n robbers". We are then confronted by some hauntingly beautiful material in "Live to Tell", probably one of Madonna's strongest and most sincere ballads to date. This seriousness fails to last though, for "Where's The Party" lifts the spirits once again, as the lyrics ask us to "free our souls" and "lose control". Succeeding this wonderful dance tune is the title track, "True Blue", a love-inspired pop song, full of imagination and excited girliness. This is followed by "La Isla Bonita", a Spanish-influenced pop tune with catchy lyrics and seductive percussion. "Jimmy Jimmy" is the next track, a bubblegum pop song which is, sadly, the weakest on the album. TRUE BLUE ends on a rather energetic note, with the South American carnival-style influence in "Love Makes The World Go Round" - a fitting finalé to a well-rounded, tireless pop album.

The remodelled version of this 1986 album can simply be described as "impeccable". "Digitally Remastered" it is, and in more ways than one. The entire package has been enhanced, including the lyrics booklet and back cover. Fans will be delighted at the inclusion of a full-length TRUE BLUE picture within the lyrics booklet (as was featured in the original cassette version).

One finds it hard to believe the clarity of each song on this refreshingly enhanced CD. Like the remastered first album, some tunes on TRUE BLUE sound even more dance oriented than before - as their beats are far more distinctive and vibrant. "Where's The Party" and "Open Your Heart" are examples. In fact, "Where's The Party" sounds far more exciting than it originally did! The drums throb, and the synthesisers are lucid and precise. The inclusion of two bonus tracks will please many fans. "True Blue" (The Colour Mix) is definitely one of my favourites. Shep Pettibone was a master at remixing Madonna tracks, and this one is no exception. "La Isla Bonita" (Extended Remix), however, is not characteristically different to the album version - it is merely an extended version, and not nearly as polished as something Pettibone would have performed.

The digitally remastered version of "True Blue" is phenomenal, and is a must for the fan and the musically informed. It certainly is worthy of being nominated "Top 10 Album Of All Time".

Its often been coined as a summary of 80's synth-pop, though I'd personally argue that Madonnas 'True Blue' escapes a variety of the cliched' sounds we've come to associate with the era. In fact, its not such a bad summary afterall.

From a period when the young girl herself was indeed human (and didn't require 23 hours-a-day of yoga to stay in shape), we hear an album that presents many issues of the young, lending Madonna a guise of worship even though she herself barely broke sweat in making the album. 'Papa Don't Preach' is of course the lead document - a cry for understanding when the characters are blessed - or indeed doomed - by a child at such a young age. From here on its all about the energy, with 'Open Your Heart' (could be re-titled 'Open Your Cover Versions) lifting the mood, 'Wheres The Party' asking a genuine question in itself and 'Jimmy Jimmy' making both a humorous and thoughtful statement on the life of one Hollywood legend - though equally, asking the age-old question of why foolish girls date... fools!

Extended with a few bonus tracks for good measure, this isn't an album to be missed. It could be said that it demonstrates the 'right side' of 80's popular music, since its typical reverb and stage-drums are somewhat flat enough to avoid scarring your ears for life (unlike Bruce Springsteen), but all the while, its so potently synthetic that you can't help feel happy from giving it a blast. A seminal album from this mysterious character.

This the point where Madonna became critically acclaimed, and it is still a stand out album. It sold by the bucket loads, and whilst the album only comes with 9 tracks (+ the 2 added remixes on this remastered version), its not hard to see why.

Packed with hits such as: Papa don't preach, Open your heart, Live to tell, La Isla Bonita, and True blue, and fan favourites, Love makes the world go round and Where's the party, this album is like a trip down memory lane.
The best remix here is for La Isla, which uses the gorgeous backing vocals to full effect, and is basicaly an extended version.