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I'm Going to Tell You a Secret

What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Madonna is the queen of self-reinvention, riding the crest of popular culture's waves for the last 25 years as everything from Disco Bunny to Cowgirl to New Age Goddess to Glamour Girl. And from her appropriately named "Re-Invention" tour comes I'M GOING TO TELL YOU A SECRET, an audio and video chronicle of the show. It ties together most of Madonna's varied personalities in an impressive package. Madonna starts off with "The Beast Within," a spoken-word rant (lifted from the Book of Revelations) delivered over haunting Middle-Eastern instrumentals. The lyrics include some violent imagery as defined by Madonna's trademark individualistic spirituality; out of context, this all might be a bit uncomfortable for traditionally religious families, and perhaps a bit scary for younger children. Theology dispensed with, Madonna launches into "Vogue," kicking off an energetic, danceable collection of greatest hits and crowd-pleasers.

Is It Any Good?

4

The accompanying DVD is dramatic, pretentious, sexy, not appropriate for younger kids, and probably a little over-the-top for everyone else. The video provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of tour preparations, narrated by the star herself. The most entertaining scenes are those of the young dancers auditioning and rehearsing, and the inclusion of a bagpipe player from Scotland. Any teen interested in a career in show business will find the DVD fascinating, as will true-blue Madonna fans. Others may want to skip the video and just have loads of dance-party fun listening to the very engaging CD.

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