Not a rumor:

Liz Smith
By Tribune Media Services
July 1, 2008

"UHHH ... I can't jump rope in high heels!"

"Really?"

"Well, not that high a heel."

OK, folks, who do we know who would jump rope (double-dutch, too) in heels? Of course! It is our old friend, the indomitable Madonna.

La Ciccone has been rehearsing her "Sticky and Sweet" tour in a massive space in New York. Her latest troupe of beautiful dancers is present, as is every other member of a massive Madonna undertaking. When the boss works, everybody works! It is 80 degrees and humid outside. Inside it's a steam bath. Madonna does not enjoy air-conditioning. Everybody looks whipped. Not Madonna. Without makeup, her long blond hair lank, dressed in funereal black rehearsal togs, she looks fresher, younger and more vital than she does on the red carpet.

People close to Madonna, those who love her, are always saying, "Why don't you relax more; have some fun?" Sometimes she will agree. But most of the time she doesn't bother to give concerned parties her life motto: Hard work - pushing herself to the limit and, most of all, dancing is her fun and relaxation. So many of her songs celebrate the power of dance and how it can free you - perhaps just temporarily - from immediate care.

Watching this star go through her paces, she seems not to have a care in the world, except to perfect her show. "That sucked!" she declares after failing to execute her double-dutch without error. "I have to be better." Madonna pauses and gives a mock scowl to her dancers, "And so does everybody else."

Later, she explains her vision on one of the numbers. The choreographer is working only from an e-mail he just received from Madonna. She has her vision, now she has to communicate it. The number will feature four girls dressed up in various versions of Madonna images from the past. She's laughing at her old "looks" and discussing the particulars. "At first I thought mannequins, then no, real girls would be better. Truthfully, I wanted drag queens, who does me better? But I figured that might be too much drama, you know - those girls love their scenes. And I provide enough of that!"

Throughout the afternoon and evening Madonna never flags, and never loses her sense of humor or the maternal camaraderie she always shares with her dancers.

It doesn't seem the time or place to bring up her supposedly failing marriage or the betrayal of her brother, Christopher Ciccone, and his tell-all book.

Will Madonna and Guy Ritchie separate? I don't know. I do know they have been deeply in love, very much in sync (certainly at one time) and both these strong-willed people have tried hard to accommodate the other. The last time I saw Guy and Madonna together, they couldn't have been more convivial and affectionate. They were in public, of course, so we take the proverbial grain of salt on that one. I don't think the towel is thrown in yet. It's damp and well-used. It's hanging crooked on the shower stall. But it's not quite ready for the hamper.

Certainly Madonna does not look or behave like a woman whose marriage is on the rocks. She wouldn't show that face anyway; that's a great part of her appeal. She doesn't beg her audience for love or understanding. Seen through the oft-distorted prism of the media, her ambition and "manipulation" is not always admired. Still, many do admire her, without really admitting she has talent. Millions more worship her as a figure of empowerment and forging success in a man's world on a man's terms.

She's the music industry's Hillary Clinton, jumping rope in high heels.

-
The jump rope number is confirmed by Madonna Tribe, who says the song is NOT "Give It 2 Me" but features a part of "Jump".

a rundown of some other things that have been reported on a few fansites...

***Rehearsals are taking place at a massive soundstage in Brooklyn,NY.

***The band works on the music from 10:00-2:00 and Madonna joins them at 3:00 PM everyday.

***The setlist should be finalized in two weeks,but as of right now,"Open Your Heart" and "Vogue" are still in.

***Pharrell recently visited Madonna at her home in London...probably to shoot some video footage that will be used on the tour.

The rehearsal time and place details are actually from People Magazine.

I think Madonna Tribe denied "Open Your Heart" a while ago, they said it was never rehearsed. Don't know what to believe...

DJ Enferno joins Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour

Madonna's DJ/Turntablist from the Hard Candy promo tour,DJ Enferno,has posted the following article on his web site:

Well,for those of you that have been wondering what "project" would pull me away from my club residencies for the past couple of months,here's the official scoop.I'm going on tour with the one and only Madonna.I'm the DJ/turntablist in Madonna's band for the Sticky and Sweet Tour.You can find all the confirmed dates and venues in my schedule.There will be more dates added as they're confirmed.I'm currently in NYC for rehearsals and the tour will kick off at the end of August.I'm truly blessed to have this opportunity.To check out some footage of our recent promo tour,go to www.myspace.com/djenferno

LiveToTell86 said:

Somewhere,I heard that there will be 18 dancers for this tour (!).Has Madonna ever used that many dancers before? That sounds like alot.



Yeah,I don't know what to believe either Each day,we hear something different,on different fansites.I guess we'll know for sure,in a few weeks.

Yes, the 18 dancers is official, it was in the press release last week!

CT had 12 (and that was the most I believe) but had some more for the parkour in "Jump". I can imagine some numbers on SST having the need for some "special" dancers like that.

It would be crazy if all 18 were on stage at the same time though!

LiveToTell86 said:

With that many dancers,she'll probably have all the females onstage for "She's Not Me"....each one dressed like a different Madonna era That's gonna be a fun performance!

Latest from Drowned Madonna:

EXCLUSIVE - Madonna is not satisfied with the live version of "Spanish Lesson", so she decided to shelve it AS OF NOW.

DrownedMadonna.com also heard that Madonna is currently testing a cover of Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell" to replace "Spanish Lesson" after "Buenos Aires". Let's wait and see if this cool idea will make the final setlist!

Another song has been shelved as of now. "Ray Of Light" - which was originally part of the Rock/Guitar section - is now out of the tentative setlist.

"Give It 2 Me" is being rehearsed the same way as in the Hard Candy Promo Tour, but obviously with different outfits.

Besides "Spanish Lesson", the only other "Hard Candy" track that is not being used as of now in the tentative setlist - neither as a video interlude nor as a live performance - is "Incredible".

Keep in mind that everything is subject to changes, so stay tuned!

Well, im kinda glad Spanish lesson is going - particularly if its replaced by the Ring My Bell cover - i love that song (i always thought Shes not me had a bit of a vibe of RMB). Glad to hear ROL is gone, and Buenos Aires is still in, but the dreaded rock / guitar segment looks like its staying. yuk.

Thanks for the update. I hate Spanish lesson, so I'm glad to see it go.
It's weird she would do the Ring My Bell cover when she has a song called Ring My Bell which is a bonus track on Hard Candy? Are there sure it's not her song and not Anita's?

I guess I'm in the minority, but I love her rock/guitar section. I would love for her to do a guitar based rock album one day. But I do have to admit I'm tired of Ray of Light. I'm glad she's trying something else.

Glindathegood said:

100% agreed!

Glad "Ray Of Light" is out, it would have been too similar to the Confessions Tour performance. Now let's pray she changes her mind about "Hung Up" in the remaining 7 weeks.

Covering Anita's "Ring My Bell" is a bit cliche after Madonna recorded a song named "Ring My Bell"...

SoulAlive said:

"turntablist?" really. i mean, really?

dude. you play records. just stop with that shit.

LizSmith said:

that's a lyin' bitch right there!
[Edited 7/1/08 16:45pm]

Jump rope? Well at least the 2nd best song from Confessions sounds like it'll be in there...

Far as ROL, good, it needs to be retired.

I hope Open Your Heart is a go. I was actually looking forward to "Spanish Lesson," I'm one of the few who likes it. I can do without Vogue, no way can she top RIT. It would go well as a video interlude (ditto "Music" and "Devil.")

Is it SO IMPOSSIBLE we may hear some of her lesser known goodies?

Swim
Love Tried To Welcome Me
Why's it So Hard
Angel
Keep it Together
Veras
Candy Perfume Girl
Love Profusion
Sooner or Later

If she performs a remake of Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell",I would faint I love that song! That's one of the ultimate disco classics.I know she would do a good job with it,too.

I would love for Madonna to make an album of 70s disco covers It's a dream project that I'd like for her to do,but I know it would never happen.

CrozzaUK said:

Although I'm not too fond of "Spanish Lesson",I was kinda getting used to the idea of hearing it on this tour.I wanted to see if she could do something interesting with it.Oh well...



If "Ring My Bell" (the 1979 disco classic) follows "Buenos Aires",then it'll probably have a latin twist to it,as well.I'm betting this is all part of a latin segment.This could be interesting!



I won't miss it I love that song but I can name numerous other songs that could be part of the rock section ("Dress You Up","Angel","Sorry","Beautiful Stranger", just to name a few).She doesn't have to stick with "ROL",which is over-played on her tours anyway.




She would be making a huge mistake if she doesn't at least use the "it's time to get your hands up....it's time to get your body movin" part of this song,in some form or another.That could be an exciting remix/interlude segment.

SoulAlive said:

I agree, that would really move the crowd! On the other hand, way too many fans are glad that these 2 HC songs are not in the show...

By the way, the Webmaster of Madonna Tribe revealed that there's NO "Express Yourself" in the show, and now with "Ray Of Light" being out, I wonder if these 2 albums will be completely ignored...

LiveToTell86 said:

"Express Yourself" is a song that gets everybody excited and on their feet.I don't know why she's leaving that one out.She'd better replace it with something equally exciting!

Drama queens!

sassybritches said:

for real!

badujunkie said:

I love this song but in light of recent events (her brother writing a tell-all book),she probably doesn't want to sing a song about family loyalty,lol.

More from Drownedmadonna

EXCLUSIVE - Word is that a newcomer is in charge to direct two video-interludes. His name is Noel Clarke.

DrownedMadonna.com heard that the new "Everybody" choreography reminds of "Erotica/You Thrill Me" from the Confessions Tour.

The choreography that is being conceived for "Heartbeat" is described as a tongue in cheek shoe changing choreography.

Among the old hits that Madonna is currently rehearsing there is "Angel". We really hope Madonna likes the live version and it will make the final setlist. Fingers crossed!!

We remind you that everything is subject to changes. So stay tunes!

Hmmm, a littel surprised by Angel. I like it and all, but i cant really imagine her doing this one. It sounds like they're trying out a lot of stuff.

CrozzaUK said:

OMG,my prayers have been answered!! I really hope that "Angel" makes the setlist.

CrozzaUK said:

SoulAlive said:

YES!!!!! I LOVE THAT TUNE!!!!! It's so funky (for 80s pop, that is)

I hope she doesn't use any songs for LAV and BS. They are the worst albums she ever did

Matronik said:

So if the rumours are all true from drownedmadonna / madonnatribe (and they usually were last time around), we have confirmed:

Candy Shop
4 Minutes
Give it 2 Me
Heartbeat
She's Not Me

Angel
Everybody
Secret
Buenos Aires
Vogue
Borderline (?)
Jump
Music
Hung Up

...what else?
[Edited 7/2/08 11:03am]
[Edited 7/2/08 11:04am]

I think these were mentioned so far:

Candy Shop
4 Minutes
Give It 2 Me
Heartbeat
Miles Away
She's Not Me
Beat Goes On
Dance 2Night
Devil Wouldn't Recognize You
Voices

Everybody
Angel
Into The Groove (?)
La Isla Bonita
Vogue (?)
Secret
Buenos Aires
Music
Hung Up
Jump

Ring My Bell

That almost makes up the whole show. Just almost, because some of them might be part of a medley ("Dance 2Night") or a video interlude ("Voices").

LiveToTell86 said:

God, pls don't tell me she's making a full blown singing number out of that "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" trash.

badujunkie said:

Well I hope she is, it's my favourite on the record...