Madonna (Madonna album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Madonna
Type = Album
Artist = Madonna


Released = July 27 1983 (US)
August 1985 (Europe)
May 21 2001 (Remastered)
Recorded = 1982-1983, Sigma Sound Studios, New York
Genre = Pop, Dance, Dance-pop
Length = 40:47
Label = Sire, Warner Bros.
Producer = Reggie Lucas, John "Jellybean" Benitez, Mark Kamins
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:mneq97u7krht link]
*Robert Christgau (A-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=madonna link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/213974/rid/6068215/ link]
This album = "Madonna"
(1983)
Next album = "Like a Virgin"
(1984)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = 1985 re-release
Type = studio


Lower caption = Cover to the 1985 re-release "Madonna - The First Album". This version was released internationally except for the United States, where it retained its original artwork and title. This version has been deleted since the 2001 Remastered version was released. Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = original artwork and title
Type = studio


Lower caption = Original deleted artwork for the "Lucky Star" album, which was later changed to "Madonna" and included an entirely different design. Singles
Name = Madonna
Type = studio
single 1 = Everybody
single 1 date = October 1982
single 2 = Burning Up
single 2 date = (AA side with "Physical Attraction" in some countries) March 1983
single 3 = Holiday
single 3 date = September 1983
January 1984 (U.K./Japan)
August 1985 (UK re-issue)
June 1991 (UK re-issue)
February 1999 (Japan re-issue)
single 4 = Borderline
single 4 date = February 1984
June 1984 (UK)
January 1986 (UK re-issue)
single 5 = Lucky Star
single 5 date = September 1983 (UK)
August 1984 (Worldwide)

"Madonna" is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on July 27, 1983 by Sire Records. The album was re-released in 1985 for the European market and re-packaged as "Madonna - The First Album". In 2001, Warner Bros. released a remastered version with two bonus remix tracks. The RIAA certified it Gold on May 31, 1984 & 5x Platinum on 3 October 2000, recognizing five million shipments throughout the United States. [http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS] . Worldwide, the album has sold eight million copies. [http://www.world4madonna.com/charts/ Madonna charts and sale figures] ] [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Top-Biggest-Selling-Madonna-Albums/lm/37BXBHN8JKB68 Amazon.co.uk: Madonna Discography] ]

Album history

After Madonna achieved success on the dance charts with two singles, "Everybody" and "Physical Attraction," Sire Records hired Madonna to record this full-length album. Though Madonna told New York DJ Mark Kamins she would let him produce the entire album if he got her a record deal (which he did), when it was time to record the full length album, she decided to go with the more experienced producer Reggie Lucas. Kamins was credited with producing one song, "Everybody." Madonna and Lucas disagreed about how the final product ought to sound. She called John "Jellybean" Benitez for help achieving the sound she wanted.

Madonna had intended to include "Ain't No Big Deal" on the album, however, Stephen Bray, a collaborator on the song, had sold the song rights to another label. She substituted “Holiday,” written by Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens. "Holiday" had originally been offered to, but turned down by, singer and original Supremes member, Mary Wilson.

The artwork that was featured on the original release of the album started the public fascination with Madonna.Fact|date=July 2008 On the cover she has short-cropped, platinum hair, and stretches a dog chain roughly around her throat. Madonna's navel is prominent on the inner sleeve of the album.

The album was originally slated to be titled "Lucky Star", after the track of the same name. The original artwork created for the album was scrapped and a new, darker direction was taken. The original album title was kept on early pressings of the LP in South Africa and contained a 3:41 version of "Burning Up." [ [http://www.madonnadirect.co.uk/madonna.html http://www.madonnadirect.co.uk/madonna.html] "Madonnadirect.co.uk" ]

The European pressing of the LP contained a different mix of "Burning up," but the CD pressing had the same version as the American pressing.

Track listing

*¹ This longer version is only available on the 2001 Remastered Version. Original album version is 4:57 minutes in duration.
*² Original album version: does not contain the electric guitar sound, originally with electronic synthesizer laser sound. Originally available on the first LP and cassette pressings. Later replaced with the rock guitar shorter version. This version is similar in sound to the bonus 12" Version track.

Album credits

Personnel

*Madonna - vocals, background vocals, cowbell
*Tina B. - background vocals
*Christine Faith - background vocals
*Dean Gant - synthesizer, piano, electric piano
*Gwen Guthrie - background vocals
*Curtis Hudson - guitar
*Raymond Hudson - bass
*Anthony Jackson - electric bass
*Bashiri Johnson - percussion
*Reggie Lucas - guitar
*Bob Malach - tenor saxophone
*Paul Pesco - guitar
*Ira Siegel - guitar
*Ed Walsh - synthesizer
*Brenda White - background vocals
*Norma Jean Wright - background vocals
*Fred Zarr - synthesizer, piano, drums, electric piano, Moog synthesizer, Fender Rhodes, Moog bass

Production

*Produced by Reggie Lucas for Kalisa, Inc.
*Engineered by Jim Dougherty
*Recorded at Sigma Sound Studios NYC.

"Holiday":
*Produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez for Jellybean Productions Inc.
*Arranged by Curtis Hudson, co-arranged by Fred Zarr
*Recording Engineer: Michael Hutchinson
*Mixing Engineer: Jay Mark

"Everybody":
*Produced by Mark Kamins
*Engineered by Butch Jones

"Lucky Star", "Burning Up" and "Physical Attraction":
*Remixed by John "Jellybean" Benitez
*Remix Engineer: Jay Mark

"Lucky Star" ("New" Mix)
*Produced by Reggie Lucas for Kalisa, Inc. and John "Jellybean" Benitez for Jellybean Productions Inc.
*Mixed by John "Jellybean" Benitez
*Mixing Engineer: Michael Hutchinson

Design

*Art direction: Carin Goldberg
*Photography: Gary Heery
*Photography: George Holy ("Madonna - The First Album")

Certifications, peaks and sales

References