Happy Birthday!

The Birthday Present

Five years ago, on this very same day, I received one of the most unforgettable, amazing birthday presents EVER, from M herself. It was called Confessions on a Dancefloor.

On November 14th 2005, Confessions was released. The first time I listened to it was in my room, at midnight - to my surprise, it went on sale here in Lisbon during the last hours of the 13th. I bought it immediately, went home and waited for the magical hour.

I was so overwhelmed. The music was - is and will eternally be - amazing. And I was flooded with happiness.

It will always be the most special work M has ever made, in my heart.
Needless to say that I played it today.

Lightworker

M by Deborah Feingold, 1983

Among the many celebrities you photographed there is of course Madonna. You did what is now considered a classic photoshoot with her in 1983. Were you asked to do the photoshoot by Warners and for a specific project?

I believe I requested the assigment from a magazine.

What do you remember of the day you met that rising young star?

It was shot in my studio/apartment. It was so tiny that all of my furniture folded up to make room for my shoots. As I recall she was very easy going.

Do you have any special memories or funny anecdotes from that day on the set?

Not really, but as I look back on the images it does appear that she was quite comfortable.

Did you sense that day she was going to become not only one of the most popular entertainers on this planet but such a huge icon?

Yes.

Source: MadonnaTribe.

Read Deborah Feingold's full interview here.

Bryan Ferry

I've always loved Bryan Ferry. And it was such a thrill to hear his new album, Olympia.

Which made me want to go back to his old stuff. And after listening to 1987's Bête Noire (one of my all-time favourites), I was struck by the amazing Madonna-esque sound it emanates. Limbo and Day For Night would fit her perfectly. And then I asked myself... who produced it? Went to Wiki. And... BINGO! There it was: Patrick Leonard. It's amazing how we can become so sensitive to subtleties like these...

Then I remembered: back in 1988 (precisely during the Bête Noire period), there were these rumours of a Madonna / Ferry collaboration. What a pity that it never became a matter of fact...

One thing is for sure: M did attend one of his shows, at that time.

Attending Bryan Ferry's concert, 1988
(notice the All Access sticker on her coat... and the oh-so-gorgeous face).

Listen and judge for yourself...