Madonna Confessions
by Guy Oseary

Opportunities somewhat wasted

Not as mind-blowing as Sex but not as time-wasting as an Andrew Morton, this new addition to the Madonna library is a straightforward photo album from her recent Confessions mega-tour, landing just as she heads out on her latest Sticky & Sweet jaunt. It’s her first official book since 1992’s legendary Sex, 100 per cent approved and shot exclusively by manager Guy Oseary.

These credentials (oh, and he’s also the CEO of Madonna’s Maverick label), gives Oseary unparalleled backstage access and opportunities for capturing intimate moments of life on the road with one of the world’s most famous artists. He doesn’t really bother to use this wisely, though, as the bulk of this book’s 250 colour photos are of Madonna shot onstage, not off. It’s very much a record of her costumes and image changes, which range from glam equestrian, to Combat Rock and space-age disco revival across the course of each nightly confession.

It all looks fabulous but serves to remind that what’s really missing from the Madonna library is any in-depth (or even superficial) survey of her music. She might forever only be covered in books like these, which celebrate the image rather than the art.

ISBN 9781576874813, 224 pages

Reviewed by Ian Peel
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