My mother and I have just finished watching the NBC's broadcast of Madonna's Confessions Tour (thanks to a very good quality torrent download), which was aired on Thanksgiving Eve this week (which reminds me, Happy Thanksgiving to all my US readers!). From start to finish, this is an absolute monster of a stage show. The choreography is stunning, the production is amazing, 'ol Madge looks as though she's in fitter shape than ever, gorgeous dancer Cloud is still gorgeous - quite possibly even MORE SO now, and the performances... my God... they're REALLY bloody good.

I'm now a fan of "Future Lovers". You may remember some time ago I mentioned it was the worst song 'Mo had ever recorded. Throw in a bit of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" and the song makes just that little bit more sense. "Live A Virgin" is by far the most superb sounding production wise, turning it into an eclectic and exciting electro-pop-romp affair. The solo routine for "Let It Will Be" sent goosebumps rushing all over, as a chaotic Madonna runs up and down the stage, dancing like she's about to fall over but somehow managing to stay intact. Absolutely breathtaking, just like the absolute rock-star ending of "Ray Of Light", which made me cheer as loud as I could in my lounge room.

Whoever came up with the idea of fusing "Disco Inferno" together with "Music" for this tour is a fucking GENIUS, as that whole performance was ridiculously dazzling to watch. The new spin on "Erotica", "You Thrill Me" (FYI: the lyrics to an original demo version of "Erotica") is a tranced-down number that saw that rush of goosebumps return... even the version of "La Isla Bonita" was outstanding, although her performance of it during 2001's Drowned World Tour is very much still quite obviously the definitive version of that song. But because it's my favourite Madge track of all time, I'm happy she decided to use the track on this tour.

We don't get enough flashes of Stuart Price during the show though, which is quite a shame, what with him being a bit of a dish and all.

As predicted, NBC slaughtered the hell out of this show editing wise. "Live To Tell" was screened, but whilst Madonna was up on the cross we were shown the video backdrop instead. Whilst putting her finger up during "Sorry", it was blurred out (!!?!?!?!?!) - twice. Plus there were a couple of "fucks" which were bleeped, and a little line about sucking George Bush's cock during "I Love New York" found itself on the cutting room floor. Thankfully, we're getting this on a DVD - in full - [ka-ching!] just in time for Christmas [/ka-ching!].

I'll admit there were some moments when a few tears even flowed, it's Madonna, whenever I watch a show of hers for the first time there's always a few shed. In particular during "La Isla Bonita" and "Live To Tell", which - in its slightly reconstructed version on this tour - is now probably one of my most loved 'Mo ballads. Then there was a bit of anger, I guess watching it on a television just isn't good enough, is it? I'm even more upset after watching the special that she didn't bring the show to Oz. Let's just hope she doesn't go back on her word *again* and brings the next one down here.

You know, really - to make it up to us - she should START the next tour here...

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