Saturday, February 18, 2012

Simple Minds, 2012-02-18 - BLITZ, Simple Minds ao vivo no Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisboa (in portuguese)

http://blitz.sapo.pt/simple-minds-ao-vivo-no-coliseu-dos-recreios-lisboa-texto--fotogaleria=f79554

Simple Minds ao vivo no Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisboa [texto + fotogaleria] -

Simple Minds ao vivo no Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisboa [texto + fotogaleria]


Banda de Jim Kerr trouxe a Lisboa 25 canções dos seus 5 primeiros discos, todos eles anteriores ao sucesso mais pronunciado. Êxitos radiofónicos, nem vê-los - mas também não fizeram falta.

Quando, em 1985, os vimos (pela televisão) no palco do Estádio de Wembley, em Londres, os Simple Minds estavam em plena era de super-estrelato pop. Em direto para boa parte do mundo, Jim Kerr e companhia pareciam imbatíveis, fazendo ecoar "Don't You Forget About Me" por toda a extensão do estádio nacional britânico (e Portugal, à época, não estava imune ao "contágio"). Por esta altura, o grupo formado em 1978 na Escócia tinha já sete álbuns gravados e uma ascensão sustentada, típica dos tempos em que a indústria musical era paciente (entenda-se próspera).

A imbatibilidade de Kerr e comparsas durou o resto da década de 80, mas a míngua de sucessos (e a simples mudança de moda) tornou os Simple Minds obsoletos durante a década seguinte, não seguindo a banda de Glasgow os passos de reinvenção de outros figurões feitos nos anos 80 como os Depeche Mode ou os U2. Desde então, falar de Simple Minds é entrar na conversa da saudade e, sobretudo, das saudades da supracitada "Don't You Forget About Me" e da irmã-gémea "Alive and Kicking".

Seria de esperar que em 2012 os Simple Minds preferissem desfilar o repertório dos "stadium years", mas o conceito da digressão que os traz a este Coliseu perto de cheio não responde à solução fácil: o grupo propõe-se interpretar 5 canções de cada um dos seus primeiros 5 álbuns, precisamente os 5 discos anteriores ao sucesso mais pronunciado: Life in a Day (1979), Real to Real Cacophony (1979), Empires and Dance (1980), Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call (duplo álbum, 1981) e New Gold Dream (1982).

É este o legado dos Simple Minds nos quatro primeiros anos de discografia, o tal caminho sustentado de que falávamos antes. É também um percurso marcado pela eclosão do pós-punk e da new wave, temperado a teclados e vocalizações um pouco mais sinistras (e menos pop) do que os êxitos posteriores dariam a conhecer.

Pouco passava das 21h00 quando uma voz anuncia, em português, que o concerto terá um intervalo de 15 minutos. Pouco depois, as luzes apagam-se e sobem ao palco Jim Kerr (voz), Charlie Burchill (guitarra), Mel Gaynor (bateria), Ged Grimes (baixo) e Andy Gillespie (teclados) - os dois primeiros estão no grupo desde o início; o baterista desde 1982.

O início tem aquela cadência hi-nrg de "I Feel Love", de Donna Summer, que hoje associaríamos também ao punk-funk; é "I Travel", primeiro single do escuro Empires and Dances (1980), de que se ouve logo a seguir "Today I Died Again", mais próximo do gótico do que da new wave. Do mesmo álbum escutaremos, mais à frente, a igualmente tortuosa "Celebrate", de uma era em que os Simple Minds tinham tanto de Bauhaus como de O.M.D., bandas contemporâneas que seguiriam, contudo, em direcções distintas.

Em palco vemos Jim Kerr, 52 anos, os mesmos tiques do estrelato pop dos 80s, braços erguidos em forma de aeroplano, sem medo da incitação popular (à segunda ou terceira canção já está junto à primeira fila), não raras vezes em posição de súplica (ou mesmo deitado), passes de dança entrelaçados, acenos em várias direções e palmas, muitas palmas, mas também muitos beijos direcionados à plateia (ou não fosse hoje Dia dos Namorados). A voz, projetada com afinco e processada com eco, não compromete um milímetro, a movimentação em palco não é poupada. Como se usa dizer, o homem não está aqui para enganar ninguém.

Do primeiro álbum, Life in a Day (1979), ouve-se a excitante "Someone", canção que lhe dá início, ainda com as guitarras a ganharem tanta proeminência com os teclados e uma toada pop que seria escurecida por aventuras posteriores. Também do disco de estreia, o tema-título que não deslustraria na discografia dos Magazine, teclados cold wave a juntarem-se a riffs de guitarra pós-punk; e a enxuta "Chelsea Girl", novamente com uma pujança rock que não quer ficar atrás da maquinaria desenhada a régua e esquadro (há um solo de guitarra, heresia em 1979).

A meio da contenda não duvidamos de que boa parte do público que acorreu ao Coliseu tem a secreta esperança de ver os Simple Minds furar a dieta auto-imposta e atirar-se a "Don't You Forget About Me" ou "Alive and Kicking", o que não vem a acontecer para bem da coerência (e gabe-se-lhes o facto de não terem cedido à tentação).

Para compensar, New Gold Dream (1982), o álbum de charneira entre os apetites exploratórios do início e a pop plástica de meio dos anos 80, traz dois casos de reconhecimento instantâneo: "Promised You a Miracle" e "Someone Somewhere in the Summertime", canções mais propensas à comunhão geracional (e aqui apontaríamos, de caras, para a faixa etária dos 40 aos 50 e muitos), mas também - na nossa opinião - menos interessantes do que "Love Song" (de Sons and Fascination - 1981), "Changeling" (de Real To Real Cacophony - 1979) ou mesmo a fantasmagórica "Calling Your Name" (do mesmo álbum). Felizmente, todas elas tiveram direito a tempo de antena, no tempo "regulamentar" e no "prolongamento" que se seguiu (um único encore).

Não fizemos as contas, mas terão sido interpretadas as 25 canções prometidas. Êxitos de rádio, praticamente nenhuns - e, valha a verdade, não fizeram falta.

Texto: Luís Guerra
Fotos: Rita Carmo/Espanta Espíritos

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Simple Minds, 2012-02-14 - Coliseu, Lisbon

Tue, Feb 14, 2012 in Lisbon, Portugal @ Coliseu

I went to Coliseu in Lisbon to see Simple Minds (for the 3rd time) live (5X5 Tour).

They played 25 songs, from the first 5 albuns (5 songs for each album). The 5 albuns are: Life In a Day (1979), Real To Real Cacophony (1979), Empires and Dance (1980), Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call (1981) and New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84).

Saw them 2 times before and the shows were with all the great songs:
In 1991-07-31 - Estádio José de Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal - They played 115 mn.
And in 2002-05-27 - Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon, Portugal - They played 118 mn.

Finally was time for Simple Minds. They played for 125 minutes. Played 25 songs.
They were awesome live. Amazing sound.

Here it is the setlist:

01. I Travel
02. Today I Died Again
03. 70 Cities
04. Scar
05. Wasteland
06. This Fear of Gods
07. Love Song
08. Life in a Day
09. Pleasantly Disturbed
10. In Your Room
Encore:
11. The American
12. Celebrate
13. Sweat In Bullet
14. Calling Your Name
15. Changeling
16. Factory
17. Premonition
18. King Is White
19. Promised You A Miracle
20. Someone Somewhere in Summertime
Encore 2:
21. Theme For Great Cities
22. Glittering Prize
23. Someone
24. Chelsea Girl
25. New Gold Dream


In bold are the videos I made.

Videos of Simple Minds (4 videos):

Simple Minds-Premonition, Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon, PT, 2012-02-14
http://youtu.be/45rdM5oj7dI
And the video:


Simple Minds-Promised You A Miracle, Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon, PT, 2012-02-14
http://youtu.be/Gk2TRhgXpOw
And the video:


Simple Minds-Someone, Somewhere In Summertime, Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon, PT, 2012-02-14
http://youtu.be/7aSFwwhKdeE
And the video:


Simple Minds-Glittering Prize, Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon, PT, 2012-02-14
http://youtu.be/lFsEUufINQE
And the video:

Monday, February 13, 2012

Simple Minds, 2012-02-13 - BLITZ, Simple Minds trazem a Lisboa a digressão 5x5 (in portuguese)

http://blitz.sapo.pt/simple-minds-trazem-a-lisboa-a-digressao-5x5=f77814

Simple Minds trazem a Lisboa a digressão 5x5


Em fevereiro de 2012, banda de Jim Kerr interpreta no Coliseu de Lisboa cinco músicas de cada um dos seus primeiros cinco discos.

Os Simple Minds regressam a Portugal no próximo dia 14 de fevereiro, para um concerto no Coliseu de Lisboa.

O espetáculo integra-se na digressão 5x5, prevendo-se que a banda toque cinco canções de cada um dos seus primeiros cinco álbuns.

Em destaque estarão, ainda, os discos Life In a Day (1979), Real To Real Cacophony (1979), Empires and Dance (1980), Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call (1981) e New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84).

A digressão arranca em Lisboa, com um concerto que deverá durar mais de duas horas e meia.

Segundo o vocalista Jim Kerr, citado no comunicado de imprensa, "Este é o alinhamento que muitos dos fãs de Simple Minds nos têm implorado para tocar e, finalmente, vão ter uma oportunidade única de o ver".

Os bilhetes estão à venda a partir de 25 de novembro e custam entre 20 euros e 34 euros.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Whitney Houston, 2012-02-12 - MTV, Whitney Houston's Musical Legacy, By The Numbers

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679039/whitney-houston-musical-legacy.jhtml

Feb 12 2012 7:53 AM EST

Whitney Houston's Musical Legacy, By The Numbers

We break down the stunning sales numbers behind the late diva's record-setting career.


Whitney Houston performs at the 1999 Brit Awards
Whitney Houston performs at the 1999 Brit Awards
Photo: JMEnternational/ RedFerns

There had been other explosive young divas before — Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner — but in the 1980s and early 1990s, Whitney Houston seized the spotlight so fast, so early, so young and so forcefully that she set a bar so high singers are still trying to vault it today.

The daughter of gospel great Cissy Houston and cousin of "I Say a Little Prayer" singer Dionne Warwick, Houston was discovered as a teenager and burst into the national consciousness in 1985 with her self-titled debut. The seamless mix of wide-screen ballads and dance-floor-worthy anthems spawned such iconic hits as "You Give Good Love," "Saving All My Love for You," "The Greatest Love of All" and "How Will I Know." A radiant breath of fresh air, Houston rode the music-video wave to stardom, scooping up dozens of awards for her smash first album, including two Grammys and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video for "How Will I Know."

Along with Michael Jackson, Houston helped pave the way for a generation of black artists to exploit the video medium to reach a global audience. She did it by spinning off a string of indelible hits in such an joyful manner that her vocal feats of strength appeared effortless.

On the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards, Houston was found dead Saturday in Los Angeles at age 48. At press time, the cause of death was still unknown. She had last taken the stage Thursday night at a pre-Grammy event on Thursday night. Just hours before the news broke, friend Kelly Price said stories of Houston's ongoing struggles were exaggerated. CNN reported Saturday night that Jennifer Hudson would participate in a tribute to Houston at Sunday night's Grammys. Houston died just hours before the start of the annual pre-Grammy party thrown by legendary music impresario Clive Davis, the mogul who signed Houston to Arista Records after seeing her perform in New York clubs in the early 1980s.

Though her hitmaking days were long past, Houston's influence continues today, from the sound of such avowed acolytes as Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and Mary J. Blige to an untold number of singers hoping to stake their claim on such reality singing competitions as "American Idol," "X Factor" and "The Voice." Houston's muscular, gospel-tinged vocal gymnastics and her telegenic spark raised the bar to a level today's singers — from Rihanna to Adele — are still striving to achieve.

By the time her career faltered in the 2000s as she struggled with substance abuse, personal drama and vocal issues, Houston had already blazed an unstoppable trail and was ranked by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most celebrated female vocalist of all time, including 26 Grammy nominations and 6 wins, along with sales of more than 170 million albums, singles and videos.

Some of Houston's career achievements:

» Released when she was 22, Whitney Houston was the best-selling album by a female artist in the 1980s, with more than 9 million copies sold on its way to becoming the best-selling debut ever by a female artist.

» Her "Bodyguard" smash cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" was the best-selling single of all time by a female artist. The "Bodyguard" album was #1 for 20 nonconsecutive weeks, a record that could by tied by multiple-Grammy nominee Adele next week.

» The "Bodyguard" soundtrack was the first album in history to sell more than 1 million copies in a single week. Houston remains one of only four women — including Britney Spears, Norah Jones and Taylor Swift — to sell more than 1 million albums in a week. The "Bodyguard" album is one of the best-sellers of all times at 17-times platinum in the U.S. alone and more than 42 million worldwide. It was also awarded with the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1994.

» Houston was the first female artist to receive two diamond awards from the Recording Industry Association of America, signaling 10 million copies sold of an album or a single for the "Bodyguard" soundtrack and Whitney Houston.

» While many artists have sung the "Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl — including, most recently, Kelly Clarkson — Houston's memorable, emotional rendition at the 1991 game is the only one to be certified platinum. The song regained notice following the 2001 terror attacks, when it was re-released as a single.

» The incomparable "I Will Always Love You" topped the Hot 100 charts on Billboard for 14 consecutive weeks, the longest-running #1 single ever by a female artist. It is one of the best-selling U.S. singles of all time.

» Houston is the only artist in pop history to land seven consecutive #1 hits.

» Her second album, 1987's Whitney, was the first by a female artist to enter the Billboard 200 chart at #1.

Join us for a tribute to Whitney Houston with non-stop music videos on MTV Hits and MTV Jams, all day Sunday.

Share your thoughts, memories and comments on our Facebook page.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Whitney Houston, DEAD (1963-08-09, 2012-02-11)

Whitney Houston dies with 48.
Another amazing singer gone so soon.
I had the lucky to see Whitney Houston live once in the 90s in the old Estádio José de Alvalade. The date was 1998-July-04. She played 105 minutes.

Here it goes the story of Whitney Houston from Wikipedia

Thanks to Whitney Houston on Wikipedia

Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American recording artist, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston was one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 200 million records worldwide. She released six studio albums, one holiday album and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification. Houston's crossover appeal on the popular music charts, as well as her prominence on MTV, starting with her video for "How Will I Know", influenced several African American female artists to follow in her footsteps.

Houston is the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. She is the second artist behind Elton John and the only female artist to have two number-one Billboard 200 Album awards (formerly "Top Pop Album") on the Billboard magazine year-end charts. Houston's 1985 debut album Whitney Houston became the best-selling debut album by a female act at the time of its release. The album was named Rolling Stone's best album of 1986, and was ranked at number 254 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Her second studio album Whitney (1987) became the first album by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Houston's first acting role was as the star of the feature film The Bodyguard (1992). The film's original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single "I Will Always Love You", became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history. With the album, Houston became the first act (solo or group, male or female) to sell more than a million copies of an album within a single week period under Nielsen SoundScan system. The album makes her the top female act in the top 10 list of the best-selling albums of all time, at number four. Houston continued to star in movies and contribute to their soundtracks, including the films Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher's Wife (1996). The Preacher's Wife soundtrack became the best-selling gospel album in history.

On February 11, 2012, Houston was found dead in her guest room at The Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California. The official coroner's report showed that she had accidentally drowned in the bathtub, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors. News of her death coincided with the 2012 Grammy Awards and featured prominently in American and international media.

Death


On February 9, 2012, Houston visited singers Brandy and Monica, together with Clive Davis, at their rehearsals for Davis' pre-Grammy Awards party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. That same day, she made her last public performance, when she joined Kelly Price on stage in Hollywood, California, and sang "Jesus Loves Me".

Two days later, on February 11, Houston was found unconscious in Suite 434 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, submerged in the bathtub; she was later pronounced dead. The cause of death was not immediately known. It was later ruled by the coroner to have been an "accidental drowning". Beverly Hills paramedics arrived at approximately 3:30 p.m. and found the singer unresponsive and performed CPR. Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. PST. Local police said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent." On March 22, 2012, the Los Angeles County coroner's office reported the cause of Houston's death was drowning and the "effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use". The office stated the amount of cocaine found in Houston's body indicated that she used the substance shortly before her death. Toxicology results revealed additional drugs in her system: Benadryl, Xanax, marijuana and Flexeril. The manner of death was listed as an "accident".

Houston had an invitation-only memorial on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. The service was scheduled for two hours, but lasted four. Among those who performed at the funeral were Stevie Wonder (rewritten version of "Ribbon in the Sky", and "Love's in Need of Love Today"), CeCe Winans ("Don't Cry", and "Jesus Loves Me"), Alicia Keys ("Send Me an Angel"), Kim Burrell (rewritten version of "A Change Is Gonna Come"), and R. Kelly ("I Look to You"). The performances were interspersed with hymns by the church choir and remarks by Clive Davis, Houston’s record producer; Kevin Costner; Ricky Minor, her music director; her cousin, Dionne Warwick; and Ray Watson, her security guard for the past 11 years. Aretha Franklin was listed on the program and was expected to sing, but was unable to attend the service. Bobby Brown, Houston's ex-husband, was also invited to the funeral but he left before the service began. Houston was buried on Sunday, February 19, 2012, in Fairview Cemetery, in Westfield, New Jersey next to her father, John Russell Houston, who died in 2003. In June 2012, the McDonald's Gospelfest in Newark became a tribute to Houston.

Reaction


The Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party that Houston was expected to attend, which featured many of the biggest names in music and movies, went on as scheduled although it was quickly turned into a tribute to Houston. Davis spoke about Houston's death at the evening's start: "By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney's passing. I don't have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn't scheduled to perform. Whitney was a beautiful person and a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage with her regal presence and gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Simply put, Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on."

Tony Bennett spoke of Houston's death before performing at Davis' party. He said, "First, it was Michael Jackson, then Amy Winehouse, now, the magnificent Whitney Houston". Bennett sang "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" and said of Houston, "When I first heard her, I called Clive Davis and said, 'You finally found the greatest singer I've ever heard in my life.'"

Some celebrities opposed Davis' decision to continue on the party while a police investigation was being conducted in Houston's hotel room and her body was still in the building. Chaka Khan, in an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan on February 13, 2012, shared that she felt the party should have been canceled, saying "I thought that was complete insanity. And knowing Whitney I don't believe that she would have said 'the show must go on.' She's the kind of woman that would've said 'Stop everything! Un-unh. I'm not going to be there.' [...] I don't know what could motivate a person to have a party in a building where the person whose life he had influenced so enormously and whose life had been affected by hers. They were like... I don't understand how that party went on." Sharon Osbourne condemned the Davis party, declaring "I think it was disgraceful that the party went on. I don't want to be in a hotel room when there's someone you admire who's tragically lost their life four floors up. I'm not interested in being in that environment and I think when you grieve someone, you do it privately, you do it with people who understand you. I thought it was so wrong."

Several other celebrities released statements responding to Houston's death. Darlene Love, Houston's Godmother, hearing the news of her death, said, "It felt like I had been struck by a lightning bolt in my gut." Dolly Parton, whose song "I Will Always Love You" was covered by Houston, said, "I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, 'Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed'." Aretha Franklin said, "It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen." Mariah Carey said, "Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth." Oprah Winfrey, who did an in-depth interview with Houston in 2009, wrote on Twitter "To me Whitney was THE VOICE. We got to hear a part of God every time she sang. Heart is heavy, spirit grateful for the GIFT of her." Quincy Jones said, "I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney’s passing. Ashford & Simpson first made me aware of Whitney when she was just sixteen, and I always regretted not having had the opportunity to work with her. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare. I will miss her terribly."

Moments after news of her death emerged, CNN, MSNBC and Fox News all broke from their regularly scheduled programming to dedicate time to non-stop coverage of Houston's death. All three featured live interviews with people who knew Houston including those that have worked with her, interviewed her along with some of her peers in the music industry. Saturday Night Live displayed a photo of a smiling Houston, alongside Molly Shannon, from her 1996 appearance. MTV and VH-1 interrupted their regularly scheduled programming on Sunday February 12 to air many of Houston's classic videos with MTV often airing news segments in between and featuring various reactions from fans and celebrities.

Houston's former husband, Bobby Brown, was reported to be "in and out of crying fits" since receiving the news. He did not cancel a scheduled performance and within hours of his ex-wife's sudden death, an audience in Mississippi observed as Brown blew kisses skyward, tearfully saying: "I love you, Whitney".

Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the 54th Grammy Awards, announced that Jennifer Hudson would perform a tribute to Houston at the February 12, 2012, awards. He said "event organizers believed Hudson – an Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning artist – could perform a respectful musical tribute to Houston". Ehrlich went on to say: "It's too fresh in everyone's memory to do more at this time, but we would be remiss if we didn't recognize Whitney's remarkable contribution to music fans in general, and in particular her close ties with the Grammy telecast and her Grammy wins and nominations over the years". At the start of the awards ceremony, a footage of Houston performing "I Will Always Love You" from the 1994 Grammys was shown following a prayer read by host, LL Cool J. Later in the program following a montage of photos of musicians who died in 2011 with Houston singing "Saving All My Love for You" at the 1986 Grammys, Hudson paid tribute to Houston and the other artists by performing "I Will Always Love You". The tribute was partially credited for the Grammys telecast getting its second highest ratings in history.

Houston was honored in the form of various tributes at the 43rd NAACP Image Awards, held on February 17. A image montage of Houston and important black figures who died in 2011 was followed by video footage from the 1994 ceremony, which depicted her accepting two Image Awards for outstanding female artist and entertainer of the year. Following the video tribute, Yolanda Adams delivered a rendition of "I Love the Lord" from The Preacher's Wife Soundtrack. In the finale of the ceremony, Kirk Franklin and The Family started their performance with "The Greatest Love of All." The 2012 BRIT Awards, which took place at London's O2 Arena on February 21, also paid tribute to Houston by playing a 30-second-video montage of her music videos with a snippet of "One Moment in Time" as the background music in the ceremony's first segment. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said that all New Jersey state flags would be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, February 21 to honor Houston. Accompanied by Esperanza Spalding belting out "What a Wonderful World" along with the Southern California Children's Choir, Houston was featured in the In Memoriam montage alongside other cinema greats at the 84th Academy Awards, held at the Hollywood and Highland Center on February 26, 2012.

Awards and achievements


Further information: List of awards and nominations received by Whitney Houston and Whitney Houston chart records and achievements

Houston was the most awarded female artist of all time, according to Guinness World Records, with two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. She held the all-time record for the most American Music Awards of any female solo artist and shared the record with Michael Jackson for the most AMAs ever won in a single year with eight wins in 1994. Houston won a record 11 Billboard Music Awards at its fourth ceremony in 1993. She also had the record for the most WMAs won in a single year, winning five awards at the 6th World Music Awards in 1994.

In May 2003, Houston placed at number three on VH1's list of "50 Greatest Women of the Video Era", behind Madonna and Janet Jackson. She was also ranked at number 116 on their list of the "200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons of All Time". In 2008, Billboard magazine released a list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists to celebrate the US singles chart's 50th anniversary, ranking Houston at number nine. Similarly, she was ranked as one of the "Top 100 Greatest Artists of All Time" by VH1 in September 2010. In November 2010, Billboard released its "Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years" list and ranked Houston at number three whom not only went on to earn eight number one singles on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but also landed five number ones on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Houston's debut album is listed as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine and is on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Definitive 200 list. In 2004, Billboard picked the success of her first release on the charts as one of 110 Musical Milestones in its history. Houston's entrance into the music industry is considered one of the 25 musical milestones of the last 25 years, according to USA Today in 2007. It stated that she paved the way for Mariah Carey's chart-topping vocal gymnastics. In 1997, the Franklin School in East Orange, New Jersey was renamed to The Whitney E. Houston Academy School of Creative and Performing Arts. In 2001, Houston was the first artist to be given a BET Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, she was one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 200 million albums and singles worldwide. She was ranked as the fourth best-selling female artist in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with 55 million certified albums sold in the US, and held an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Grambling State University, Louisiana.

Discography


Main articles: Whitney Houston discography and Whitney Houston videography

Studio albums
Holiday albums

Filmography


1992: The Bodyguard
1995: Waiting to Exhale
1996: The Preacher's Wife
1997: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
2004: Nora's Hair Salon
2012: Sparkle

Tours

World tours
Regional tours
Televised concerts


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Monday, February 06, 2012

Madonna, 2012-02-06 - OUT, What We Thought About Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show

http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/02/06/what-we-thought-about-madonnas-super-bowl-halftime-show?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OutComFeatures+%28Out.com+Features+|+Fashion%2C+Style%2C+Celebrity%2C+Opinion+for+the+Modern+Gay+Man%29


What We Thought About Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show

2.6.2012

By Alex Taylor Williams

She came, she saw, she conquered

As Madonna entered the field of last night night’s Super Bowl halftime show on an Egyptian throne, carried by tons of hot gladiators, dripping in a gold lame Givenchy cape and headpiece, I didn’t know quite what to expect. Would this be another live performance let down? All I imagined following was something way over styled and way overdone. After all, this year so far has been a bit inconsistent with pop performances and Superbowl concerts aren't always winners. I soon realized that Madonna would be taking no prisoners and actually delivered a solid performance.

As soon as she hit the stage, Madonna gave us exactly what we wanted. She still has spunk and obviously still goes to the gym—or, more likely, has the gym come to her. Despite the dubious choice in cohorts, we oohed and aahed as the dudes from LMFAO helped her through a series of cartwheels. Though we did notice her almost take a few spills—still, she moved around like it was 1986 again.

However, her new single, which she performed alongside Nicki Minaj and a middle-finger-wielding M.I.A., seemed to get lost amongst her older songs. Yes, it was great to see such a trio of women rocking out together, but we eagerly awaited what she had in store for us next.

It wouldn't have been a true Madonna performance without some kind of lesson to be learned. Which made for a great rendition of "Like a Prayer" featuring Cee Lo Green. She brought out hundreds of choir members and projected the words “World Peace” across the field. But, following the gospel remix, Madonna abruptly exited the stage through a major trap door of course with lots of smoke and pyrotechnics, as if she fell into a giant trap that cryogenically freezes pop stars.

And that was it. The Giants went on to win the big game and the rest of America went to sleep. All in all a very well done performance for the Material Girl. The stage and effects were beautiful and really put us all on edge for her new album MDNA to drop.

Madonna, 2012-02-06 - MTV, Madonna Halftime Show: The Reviews Are In!

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678574/madonna-super-bowl-halftime-show.jhtml

Feb 6 2012 10:44 AM EST

Madonna Halftime Show: The Reviews Are In!

Super Bowl performance reinstates Madge as 'the biggest pop vixen on the planet.'


Madonna performs at Super Bowl XLVI
Madonna performs at Super Bowl XLVI
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

Madonna did it all on Sunday night when she performed during the Super Bowl halftime show in Indianapolis.

She was an Egyptian Queen "Vogue"-ing it up for her biggest devotees. She was a cheerleader, cheering on L-U-V alongside a middle-finger flinging M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj for "Give Me All Your Luvin'." She got her "Music" on with LMFAO and she sang the gospel of "Like a Prayer" with Cee Lo Green.

In a sea of costume changes (with looks by Givenchy and Adidas Originals Jeremy Scott), dancers, acrobats, A-list collaborators and a killer set list, Madonna seemed to leave very little to chance. Sure, there were a few slip-ups, but, in the end, Madonna ensured that all anyone would be talking about around the water cooler come Monday morning was her, whether or not you completely loved what she did during the show.

"It's Madonna Louise Ciccone's world, we're just living in it," Billboard.com wrote about her 12-minute-plus performance. "The pop icon took to the world's biggest stage to rock three-and-a-half older tracks and a playful new song during the Super Bowl halftime show."

While the Super Bowl audience is usually dominated by people who most likely aren't Madge fans, the singer, according to one review, seemed indifferent to that fact. "Madonna was defiantly unconcerned with the more conservative red state wing of the football fanbase who'd never be caught dead singing along to one of her songs," the Los Angeles Times noted about her performance. "And her halftime show was pure spectacle by the Cleopatra of the game."

The show, according to the Chicago Tribune, wasn't just about her, but also about reminding fans that she's about to drop her next album, MDNA, in March. "This was Madonna's party, and besides breaking off bits of her greatest hits to remind people of a time when she was the biggest pop vixen on the planet, she had important career-advancing work to do," the review noted. "Madonna, after all, never does anything unless she's got something to sell, and with a new studio album due out in March and a tour to follow, she had plenty on her to-do list."

Madonna, 2012-02-06 - NJ.com, Madonna Super Bowl halftime show blog

http://www.nj.com/super-bowl/index.ssf/2012/02/madonna_super_bowl_halftime_show_blog.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeedMadonna%20Super%20Bowl%20halftime%20show%20blog

Madonna Super Bowl halftime show blog

Published: Sunday, February 05, 2012, 9:12 PM - Updated: Monday, February 06, 2012, 2:52 PM
Jay Lustig/The Star-Ledger

Super Bowl 2012: Halftime show with Madonna

If you've followed Madonna throughout her career, you're well aware of one thing regarding her Super Bowl performance: She's going to go all out to make it dazzling and unforgettable. If she's not the topic of conversation at water coolers around the world tomorrow, she's going to feel like she hasn't done her job.

But she's got only 12 or 13 minutes to make her mark: It's a challenge that some Super Bowl performers (like the Black Eyed Peas, last year) have failed to rise to.

In this space, I'll will be blogging about the halftime show, as it happens:

7:10 p.m.: The halftime show is still quite a long way away but announcer Al Michaels can already feel the excitement. He says he saw the rehearsal and it is "over the moon, off the charts."

7:25 p.m.: SPOLER ALERT -- Skip to next item if you want to be surprised but in case anyone hasn't seen it yet, here is the rumored set list:

• "Vogue"
• "Music" (with LMFAO)
• "Give Me All Your Luvin' " (with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.)
• "Like a Prayer" ( Cee Lo Green)

Since Minaj and M.I.A. are in the "Luvin' " video that makes total sense.

7:54 p.m.: First half is over but Bob Costas says it's going to take a while for them to get stage ready so don't expect Madonna immediately. People have been saying halftime is going to be 30 minutes overall so she's got to be out there 10 minutes from now at most, I think.

8:00 p.m.: Okay, we're starting now. Trojan gladiators and Madonna in some kind of grandiose gold getup. Lady Gaga would be envious. She's singing "Vogue."

8:03 p.m.: She's clearly lip-synching on the "Vogue" rap. I like the clashing-sword sound effects.

8:04 p.m.: "Music." Not much question she's lip-synching here too. Lots of really athletic dance moves though, by her and supporting cast as well.

madonna.jpg

8:05 p.m.: LMFAO out now. She jumps on one of the guys' shoulders and sits there, singing.

8:07 p.m.: Pom poms and cheerleaders for "Gimme All Your Luvin'" There's Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., as promised.

8:10 p.m.: Cee Lo comes out as Trojan warrior, with marching band. Just a bit of "Express Yourself" before "Like a Prayer."

8:11 p.m.: She and Cee Lo in black glittering robes singing "Like a Prayer" with gospel choir.

8:13 p.m.: Madonna disappears in a cloud of smoke as the words "World Peace" appear. It's over. On to commercials.

8:14 p.m.: Okay, here's my take. I wasn't thrilled about all the lip-synching, but visually, this was probably the most impressive Super Bowl halftime performance ever, and Madonna just emanated star power. She said she was nervous beforehand, but she looked comfortable onstage, and like she was enjoying herself. That she belonged there. In comparison, the Black Eyed Peas last year looked like awkward amateurs. The gospel "Like a Prayer" was a great choice to close -- an effective heart-to-heart moment after all the glitz.

8:29 p.m.: I have a feeling discussion over M.I.A. giving the middle finger and saying "don't give a s---" is going to dominate post-performance analysis, which is a shame. Is it another wardrobe-malfunction moment?

Sunday, February 05, 2012

Madonna, 2012-12-05 - The Washington Post, Madonna and the Super Bowl halftime show: A play-by-play

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/celebritology/post/madonna-and-the-super-bowl-halftime-show-a-play-by-play/2012/02/05/gIQAlJuisQ_blog.html?wprss=celebritology

Posted at 09:02 PM ET, 02/05/2012

Madonna and the Super Bowl halftime show: A play-by-play

By

Madonna, onstage at the Super Bowl. (Lucy Nicholson - Reuters)

Madonna promised there would be no wardrobe malfunction during her Super Bowl halftime performance. And she actually actually kept her word.

She also kept our attention, for worse as well as better, by wearing elaborate Egyptian garb, doing weird cartwheels, making us cringe via her collaboration with LMFAO and closing with a grand finale that involved Cee-Lo, “Like a Prayer” and an apparent alien abduction.

Here’s a play-by-play of the Madonna Super Bowl show, in words and images. Check it out, then post your take on her performance in the comments.

8 p.m.: The Bridgestone halftime show (official name) is beginning ... with the cast of “300” carrying in what appears to be a member of Roman royalty. I have this feeling Madonna is hidden under all those gilded leaves.

(Jim Young - Reuters)

8:01 p.m.: She is! And she’s wearing a headdress that makes it looks like fancy horns are coming out of her head, just like all those conservatives always claimed!

(Christopher Polk - Getty Images)

8:02 p.m.: For the record, she’s opening with “Vogue.” And she and her back-up dancers are apparently doing the choreography from the “Just Dance 2” version of “Walk Like an Egyptian.”

8:03 p.m.: The stage floor looks as though it is covered with Vogue magazines. Conde Nast must be psyched.

8:04 p.m.: Madonna has officially removed the horny headdress and is now segueing into “Music.” She is not even trying to lip-sync accurately at this point. Points for faux-singing candor?

8:04 p.m.: Madonna is currently doing awkward cartwheels with four dudes in track suit who dance like Chris Brown but aren’t actually Chris Brown. She looks tentative, as she should. It’s wrong to try to do gymnastics in thigh-high boots with heels like that (which, by the way everyone wore in ancient Egypt. Or Rome. Or wherever.)

8:05 p.m.: A guy who looks like a young Richard Simmons is now walking on a tightrope and alternately bouncing on a trampoline, while wearing a toga. Look, I’m just relaying information, okay?


(Paul Sancya - AP)

8:05 p.m.: Oh no, those LMFAO guys are onstage. I already miss the Chris Brown dudes.

8:06 p.m.: Madonna is on top of one half of LMFAO and singing “Party Rock Anthem.” Remember how “Shanghai Surprise” once seemed like her greatest embarrassment? Um, well...


(Mike Segar - Reuters)

8:06 p.m: Now Madonna, LMFAO, the Chris Brown dudes and others are doing the dance from “She’s All That.” Kind of. Honestly, I’m not sure exactly what’s happening right now, because the combination of glittery polka dots and leopard prints on LMFAO has rendered me legally blind.

8:06 p.m.: Now Madonna is flexing her muscles and mouthing the words, “I work out.” She is attempting an awkward handstand. Oy. Can we cut to a clip of “Like a Virgin” from the first VMAs and pretend this isn’t happening right now?


(Timothy A. Clary - AFP/Getty Images)

8:07 p.m.: Now Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and a herd of ladies in fringe skirts are doing what appears to be a pom routine my high school squad did in 1988. Also, did M.I.A. give us the finger? (Uh, yes. Yes she did.)

8:08 p.m.: P.S. this new song, “Give Me All Your Luvin” is beyond weak. Even the “Hey Mickey” antics can’t help it.


(Lucy Nicholson - Reuters)

8:10 p.m.: A marching band is now onstage, drumming while Madonna sings “Open Your Heart.” This is sweet relief after “Give Me All Your Luvin.”

8:10 p.m.: In case you forgot for a half-second that “The Voice” is on after the Super Bowl, Cee Lo Green is leading the band. And, also, outsinging Madonna by leaps and octaves.

8:10 p.m.: Woah, the football field has disappeared and it now appears we’re in outer space. “Like a Prayer” is starting.

8:11 p.m.: Madonna, Cee Lo and a massive gospel choice in black and white robes are all singing. This doesn’t quite redeem that LMFAO episode, but this is pretty strong and looks stunning in HD.


(Charlie Riedel - AP)

8:12 p.m.: Cee Lo is really upstaging Madonna. Adding insult to injury, he is wearing glasses that Elton John would totally wear. Fortunately, Madonna doesn’t seem to mind.


(Christopher Polk - Getty Images)

8:13 p.m.: Oh my God! Madonna just sang “it feels like home” and got sucked into the bowels of the stage. That was an alien abduction we just witnessed, on live television! Someone, get Mulder and Scully on the case!

8:13 p.m.: That was a strong ending. I almost feel positively on the whole because of it but ... oh. The lights in front of the stage are currently spelling World Peace. Madonna, why did you have to go and try to be U2 like that?

By Jen Chaney | 09:02 PM ET, 02/05/2012

Madonna, 2012-02-05 - Billboard, Madonna Rocks Super Bowl Halftime Show With Old Hits, New Friends

http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/super-bowl/506774/madonna-rocks-super-bowl-halftime-show-with-old-hits-new-friends#/column/super-bowl/madonna-rocks-super-bowl-halftime-show-1006099552.story

Madonna Rocks Super Bowl Halftime Show With Old Hits, New Friends


By

Photos: Madonna at Super Bowl XLVI Singer Madonna performs during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

'Like a Prayer,' 'Vogue, 'Music' ... M.I.A. Flips Out During 'Give Me All Your Luvin''

It's Madonna Louise Ciccone's world, we're just living in it. The pop icon took to the world's biggest stage to rock three-and-a-half older tracks and a playful new song during the Super Bowl halftime show.

Entering on a golden throne pushed by an army of dancing Roman gladiators, the 53-year-old singer started things off with her 1990 classic "Vogue." Around ten backup dancers kept the pace as she sauntered the scene in a head piece and black thigh-high boots.

Across the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis flashed an impressive digital collage of Vogue magazines, in a nice touch of corporate scenery.

By the time "Music" revved up, she was down to four very acrobatic backup dancers on a bandstand. To the side of the stage -- playing the parts of "Hey Mr. DJ" -- were those party rocking dudes of LMFAO at which point "Music" began getting an infusion of the SoCal duo's biggest hits, "Party Rock Anthem" and "Sexy And I Know It."

Those with sharp eyes may have noticed Madonna slipping a bit while she was atop the bandstand, but she quickly recovered with a smile.

Then came the new song "Give Me All Your Luvin.'" The track's two guest stars -- Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. -- made the trip to Indy and got wrapped up in the Rome/Cleopatra-esque concept. The cheerleader-themed track was a perfect pick for halftime show, no doubt.

M.I.A. caused a bit of controversy when at the end of her rapping bit, she flipped the bird at the camera while saying the lyrics, "I'mma say this once, yeah, I don't give a s--t."

NBC quickly apologized after the game, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers."

The NFL also chimed in. "The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing and we apologize to our fans," said Brian McCarthy, spokesman for the league.

As her new single wound down, a marching band made its way to center stage for a quick interlude of "Open Your Heart" with the big-voiced Cee-Lo adding soul. Backing tracks seemed to be dispatched of at this point and the two sang live until the end of the show, it appeared.

For the finale, Madonna pulled out all the stops with the perfectly picked "Like a Prayer." Her voice, strong and clear, was aided by Cee-Lo and a massive choir of backup singers in robes for the 1989 gem.

When the spectacle was over, the singer was released down an escape hatch of sorts and the words "World Peace" were blazoned across the field.

According to the AP, around 110 million people were expected to watch the Super Bowl this year.

It was Madonna's first time in the halftime spotlight for the Super Bowl and comes right as she debuts her single, "Give Me All Your Luvin.'" The track is off "M.D.N.A.," Madonna's 12th studio album and first for Interscope, which will be released March 26.

Before kickoff, country couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert sang a rousing version of "America the Beautiful" and Kelly Clarkson took on national anthem duties. It was a performance clear of mistakes, unlike last year when Christina Aguilera flubbed her lines.

Madonna, 2012-02-05 - The Hollywood Reporter, Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show: What Hollywood Is Saying

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/super-bowl-madonna-halftime-show-287186?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show: What Hollywood Is Saying


Madonna

"Two quarters of Super Bowl and the strongest performer is Madonna," said Alec Baldwin of the show.

Madonna took to the stage for her highly anticipated halftime show during Super bowl XLVI. Beside her were Roman soldiers, the duo of LMFAO and Nicki Minaj.

The performance featured a stunning electronic stage and plenty or pyrotechinics. Her performance featured some oldies-but-goodies such as “Vogue,” and also her latest single "Give Me All Your Luvin'.” What did the entertainment industry think of her performance? Overall, reactions have been positive.

Project Runway judge Nina Garcia wrote on Twitter: “Madonna rocked it !! Loved her and the outfit was HOT. LOVED. My girl Nicki Minaj adorable.”

30 Rock star Alec Baldwin also heaped on the praise, writing, “Two quarters of SuperBowl and the strongest performer is Madonna...”

“You gotta hand it to Madonna. No apologies,” he added.

Paula Abdul wrote, "so happy for #Madonna 's triumphant #HalfTime show! :) @NICKIMINAJ & M.I.A. crushed it! @CeeLoGreen & @LMFAO added so much fun!"

Steve Martin wrote, “Congrats to Madonna for great spot, especially considering game has resumed during last three minutes.”

Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria wrote, “Madonna is amazing!!! Love her always! What a performer! All my fav songs!”

Rosie O'Donnell kept it simple, writing: “Madonna = perfection”

Rapper Snoop Dogg added: "Madonna killen the superbowl her show is soo fresh. Wowoowowowowowoowowowowowow!"

However, there seemed to be a disagreement between Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan. Osbourne wrote, "Madonna is back! She's the queen. Just sensational!"

To that, Morgan responded: "Queen of what? Lip-synching?"

The performance featured plenty of dancing and stunts by Madonna, despite her very high heels. Rainn Wilson wrote, “I wonder how much Madonna can bench?”

Seth MacFarlane commented on LMFAO’s contribution to the performance, writing, “The way they rhymed "Madonna" with "you wanna" was terrific. Just tremendous. And a bunch of times! Which was also great. Music is great.”

Ryan Seacrest also praised the halftime show, writing, “Loved the madonna performance, i think she nailed it. Great job by @LMFAO, @NickiMinaj, @CeeloGreen too.”

Madonna, 2012-02-05 - Radar Online, Madonna Scores With Super Bowl Halftime Show

http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/02/Madonna-Super-Bowl-Halftime-Show-Video/

Madonna Scores With Super Bowl Halftime Show


Posted on Feb 5, 2012 @ 2:15AM
madonna-scores-superbowl-zuma-post.jpg

By Radar Staff

She’s said she’d never been so anxious about a performance in her entire career, but Madonna put her nerves aside and performed a slick and polished Super Bowl Halftime show.

The pop star was brought to the stage, a la Cleopatra, and opened her 12 minute show with Vogue.

It was all about seamless production values as Madonna was joined by LMFAO for Party Rock Anthem and then Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for Give Me. Madonna closed the show with Like A Prayer with Cee Lo Green.

U2 or Springsteen it was not — Madonna’s show had no surprises and little emotion. For that, you needed to catch Clint Eastwood‘s surprise commercial for Chrysler that immediately followed.

Madonna, 2012-02-05 - Ken Tucker's TV, Madonna at the Super Bowl review: A shockingly sincere, joyous performance

http://watching-tv.ew.com/2012/02/05/madonna-super-bowl-cee-lo-green-nicki-minaj-m-i-a-lmfao/

Madonna at the Super Bowl review: A shockingly sincere, joyous performance


by Ken Tucker

Madonna was careful, in interviews before the Super Bowl, to say how nervous she was, how no one had to worry about her plotting to incite controversy. But instead of resulting in a cautious, tedious performance, Madonna gave a joyous, unironic, openhearted one. She deployed guest stars including Cee Lo Green, Nicki Minaj, and M.I.A., but they never stole her glowing spotlight. From her entrance hoisted aloft by Roman-soldier dancers to the massed choir that sent her off, she was both in full command and full of generosity toward her massive audience.

Commencing with a rendition of “Vogue” that used the magazine’s logo as part of the stage set, Madonna offered full-throated vocals coupled with tight choreography. If the visual transitions didn’t have any flow (Roman togas to pulsating stadium-seating steps to space for a tightrope walker), the songs did. After the cool warm-up of “Vogue,” Madonna moved smoothly into “Music.” There was certain mashing-up of music with LMFAO that didn’t add much to the proceedings. She led into her current single, “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” as a sweet piece of Katy Perry-style pop. It’s not among her best songs, but Madonna rendered the tune with a playful vigor, shaking gold pom-poms with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Toward the end of the song, a marching band trooped on stage, led by Cee Lo Green as drum major.

Aiming to end on a note of uplift, Madonna and Green donned choir robes and brought forth a large choir for “Like a Prayer.” Singing from a raised platform, Madonna and Green’s voices soared, and just when I thought she was going to ascend to the heavens, she instead descended into…well, not hell — that would have been out of keeping with the mood of this show — but she dropped away in a puff of smoke.

Now the carping will begin in living rooms and throughout the internet: Was she lip-synching? Did she make a few wobbly moves? Was M.I.A. being a naughty girl?

Me, I don’t care. I was happy to see Madonna smiling so much, giving it her all, plugging her product with such gleeful abandon. (Oh, and, right, I almost forgot: WORLD PEACE, people!!) It wasn’t a thrillingly innovative performance, but that’s not what the Super Bowl halftime show is about anyway: It’s a time to hear some hits well played, with more imagination and energy than, say, the Black-Eyed Peas provided last year. By this measure, Madonna’s Super Bowl performance was a bright delight.

Twitter: @kentucker