The third track in The
Girlie Show: Live Down Under is Vogue. This performance is inspired by elements of the Far
East mixed with hints long associated with the “Arabian Desert.” Niki Haris,
Donna De Lory and Madonna wear ornate black headdresses, while the dancers look
as if they’re (androgynous) royal subjects for the “Queen” of Siam.
The camerawork on The
Girlie Show is terrific. Swooping
cranes capture how big that stage really is. The extremely talented band and
the incredibly limber dancers (Christopher Childers in particular does a
contortionist-inspired hand stand like I’ve never seen) really help make this
version of Vogue one of the best.
Toward the middle of the
performance, the dancers scurry down the stairs and set up along the runway to
build a human bridge for their walking Queen; her royal maidens guide her
carefully to the end of the runway. Madonna continues with the famous rap
breakdown. It’s at the lyric: “They had style, they had grace/Rita Hayworth
gave good face,” where the performance takes on a soulful ‘70s quality. The
guitarist Paul Pesco puts a guitar scratch on the song, as the regal
choreography turns into a let-loose, funky freestyle.
When Madonna, Haris and De
Lory turn around and head back to the stairs, order is returned. When they
reach the stairs, all three raise their arms in perfect unison to the beat; the
dancers spread out across the stage, so they can set up to strike those poses.
The drummer Omar Hakim is outstanding here (and throughout the show) as he
quickly hits the drums to transition everyone into the final section of the
song. Also of note: the dancer, and now Dancing with the Stars judge, Carrie Ann Inaba can be seen over Madonna’s
right shoulder at one point near the end. The sound of a gong can be heard at
the conclusion of this super-showy performance. All bow to their Queen. BSo
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