Immaculate Collection Question

[Moonshadow]

Is anyone familiar with the method to the madness that led to the decision to remaster and rework in Q-sound the singles in Madonna's "Immaculate Collection." While the album is surely a definitive collection of the hits from her formative years, I can't help but dislike the fact that the original single edits weren't used, and feel that it takes away somwhat from the enjoyment of the album.

Moreover, unless you're listening to the radio (and even then it's not always the case), you don't hear the original versions of the songs. I played the album version of "Like A Prayer" in the coffee shop on campus where I work the other day, and my co-workers and even one or two customers said to me, "is this some kind of remix? This doesn't sound like the one I know."

What was the motive behind this?

[msanoja]

The versions of Like A Prayer and Express Yourself were pretty much bastardized on The Immaculate Collection. They make the songs sound so dated. I have a difficult time getting through The Immaculate Collection for that very reason. The album versions are infinitely better.

[🅳🅸🆂🅲🅾]

I still wonder about it. Usually with a greatest hits collection, they'd use the original versions but I don't get why they'd use these new ones.

Aside from the EY and LAP mixes, I didn't like the new versions of Holiday", "Like A Virgin", and "Into The Groove".

Same thing with the GHV2 one. I didn't like the use of edits instead of the album versions.

[bubblepop15]

I wasn't even conceived when "Like A Prayer" came out (lol), but what version was usually played on the radio? The one from the album/video or the one with a straight-through dance beat like in the Immaculate Collection?

Because I like the Immaculate version much more. The "Like A Prayer" on LAP... the music just seemed to stop everytime the chorus ended and it was annoying.

But I also hate that stupid dance instrumental near the end of the Immaculate version.. it drags on.

[Moonshadow]

bubblepop15 said:

I wasn't even conceived when "Like A Prayer" came out (lol), but what version was usually played on the radio? The one from the album/video or the one with a straight-through dance beat like in the Immaculate Collection?

Because I like the Immaculate version much more. The "Like A Prayer" on LAP... the music just seemed to stop everytime the chorus ended and it was annoying.

But I also hate that stupid dance instrumental near the end of the Immaculate version.. it drags on.

The version played on the radio of "Like A Prayer" is a radio edit of the album version (which sounds more rock than dance) clocking in at about 4:10, with a fade out at the point when the choir comes in and sings "just like a prayer...I'll take you there!...mmhhhmmm"

[bubblepop15]

moonshadow said:

bubblepop15 said:

I wasn't even conceived when "Like A Prayer" came out (lol), but what version was usually played on the radio? The one from the album/video or the one with a straight-through dance beat like in the Immaculate Collection?

Because I like the Immaculate version much more. The "Like A Prayer" on LAP... the music just seemed to stop everytime the chorus ended and it was annoying.

But I also hate that stupid dance instrumental near the end of the Immaculate version.. it drags on.

The version played on the radio of "Like A Prayer" is a radio edit of the album version (which sounds more rock than dance) clocking in at about 4:10, with a fade out at the point when the choir comes in and sings "just like a prayer...I'll take you there!...mmhhhmmm" 

Oh, really? Thanks for posting.

[mst3k]

Fortunately, the '80s station here plays the full original album version of "Like A Prayer". One of the AC stations plays the Immaculate Collection mix though.

[Pink Champagne Ricochet]

I just bought it a few weeks ago during Wilma-induced boredom, and I didn't really notice any difference on any of the songs other than "Express Yourself", although the remix of that one was pretty jarring; the original is much better. Maybe because I don't have any of her older albums that they came from and only know most of the songs from the radio.

[HolidayGuy]

I'm on the flip side- I find the sound of TIC tracks to make them sound *less* dated than the original album versions (though the originals are still great). Any casual fan listeing to TIC won't notice small, subtle differences here and there in regards to the sound of some tracks. Like a Prayer and Express Yourself are the most obvious differences from the originals. I'd guess the original version of Like a Prayer is the one that gets the most recurrent play. Express Yourself's best version is the 7" edit (heard in the video- the non-remix, shorter-length video).

The thing I miss most is the climactic "Now I KNOW YOU'RE MINE" in Into the Groove. But, other than that, it's a great listen, from beginning to end.

I think TIC is another example of Madonna looking forward, and just adding something fresh to the classics.

[holtskee]

I hate the IMC remix of "Like a Prayer" with a passion. I can hardly sit through it.

The original album version with its funky sound and haunting guitar intro are much better. The same goes for Express Yourself.

One of my local radio stations plays the rare Like a Prayer "Dream Mix", which runs just over 8 minutes. It basically has segments from the 12' Club version and 12' Dance version spliced into the Album version. I really like it, though I don't think it's ever been commercially available.

[620 Soul Train]

eros said:

I didn't like the use of edits instead of the album versions.

Really? Wow. Now I know why a number of GH collections don't use the original radio edits/single versions. I guess some folks prefer the full length versions especially the better songs. IMO I think that the better GH albums use "radio versions" of songs, usually those are the ones that sound better.

[M]

joshjoel said:

eros said:

I didn't like the use of edits instead of the album versions.

IMO I think that the better GH albums use "radio versions" of songs, usually those are the ones that sound better.

...or more difficult to find. ;)

[Twiloboy]

I've always thought The Immaculate Collection was flawless. I've been listening to it since it's release and I guess I grew accustomed to the new versions. I actually do prefer the Like A Prayer on IC to the LAP version. Probably because a friend of mine during my freshman year of college would always get so excited when she'd hear "God" at the beginning. And then she'd start singing along with the choir at the beginning. Hilarious!

I also agree that the better greatest hits collections use single/radio versions. Maybe not in the past, but in these days of cd singles being impossible to obtain, it's nice to have a place where previously promo-only versions are widely available. Plus, the single version most likely was the hit, not the album version.

Peace,
Ben

[johnnywest]

I like the shortened version of "Cherish."

Yeah, the remix of "Like A Prayer" isn't so hot. KOST plays that version for some reason.

There are some extra echoes in "Material Girl."

I noticed some extra "twinkles" in "Like A Virgin."

Most of the songs were played out in the order that they were released to radio, however, they juxtaposed 2 of them (I believe it was "Lucky Star" and "Borderline").

Unlike most of you, I did like the new version of "Express Yourself." I especially enjoyed the "hard" ending rather than a fade.

I was disappointed that "Who's That Girl," "True Blue" and "Oh Father" didn't make it on there. Never cared much for "Open Your Heart."

--Just my 2 cents

[Moonshadow]

I dunno...listen to the Like A Virgin album version of Material Girl, and then listen to the IC version...it's very different sounding.

Same goes for Lucky Star...the opening "twinkle" goes from left audio to right audio and back in a cyclical motion on IC; on the album it doesn't, and it doesn't echo throughtout the track.

The treble and bass on Into the Groove is way spread out...and there's a piano solo that never existed in the original edit. It's basically an edited version of the 1987 You Can Dance remixes.

Maybe it's just me, but I hear countless differences.

[mst3k]

moonshadow said:

Maybe it's just me, but I hear countless differences. 

It's not just you... every song on TIC sounds different from the original versions (except the two new tracks, of course).

[johnnywest]

On Madonna's "I'm Breathless" CD, certain lines such as "on the cover of a magazine" sound like they're in 3D. It's not like that on "Immaculate Collection."

[strong4PMB!]

Lol, I ONLY have her Immaculate Collection mixes! I didn't even know the versions I have were different from the radio versions.

[bubblepop15]

I'm listening to the Immaculate Collection!

Blaring Justify My Love! Hotness!

[Positive Tension]

"Express Yourself" and "Like A Prayer" are infinitely better on their original CDs. At first I didn't care much for "Express Yourself," but after I heard the original version, I fell in love with it.

I also prefer the extended versions of Madonna's songs (eg "Holiday," "Cherish") to the shortened ones on TIC.

TIC is still an amazing album, but I found I enjoyed the original versions of most songs more.

[areyoureadytojump]

TIC peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and is certified 10xp.

Worldwide sales are at 23 million which makes it Madonna's best selling album.

[areyoureadytojump]

^TIC is eligible for a 11xp certification.

It has SoundScanned over 1 million units since it was certified 10xp in Oct 2011.