In Focus: Madonna Album Collection & Limited Editions

Hindi biro ang maging isang Madonna collector. There are so many variations of a particular album, and sooooo many single releases. If you'd scour the net for collectibles, malulula ka sa dami. At mapa-frustrate ka rin dahil most of them are out of print (thus the term, "limited edition"). But if ever you'd spot some on ebay or specialty stores, they would cost a fortune! Almost an arm and leg, 'ika nga. So kung wala rin lang sa puso mo sa pangongolekta, don't ever start! I know that someday, pagkakakitaan ko rin 'tong Madonna collection na 'to. ('Pag nagsawa na ko o na-bankrupt!)

Pero wala naman 'ata talagang almost complete sa kanyang Madonna collection. Hindi lang sa dahil mahirap hanapin kundi dahil iba't-ibang bansa ang nagre-release at may mga promo copies pa na iba sa mga regular editions (like CD Singles with edited remix versions and interview CDs meant for radio stations). With that, si Madonna na 'ata ang artist na may pinakamaraming collectibles and limited edition items. Not to mention the one that has the most song remixes (legit or fan-made)!

These CDs are either locally-pressed or imported ones.

American Life CD here is the clean, edited (US) version. I have yet to buy a local version here.

Japan-released CDs have OBI Strips that make the CDs authentically Japanese-made, and lyric sheets. These days, bihira nang maglagay ng lyric sheets sa CDs. Japan has them to promote their product more than the imported ones. They are more expensive, though, than their foreign counterparts.

As of the moment, I only have four of them.

What I want to own, however, are Taiwan-made CDs since they are better than the Japan-released ones. They have slipcases and colored lyric sheets. They are not available on any online stores (that I know of), but only on ebay. Eh hassle naman kasing um-order du'n.

Two different back covers of Something to Remember.

GHV2 in two variants: limited and regular editions (there are still a lot of variants out there!)

GHV2 Limited Edition comes in sturdy cardboard case with full color photo pages inside.

Music Limited Edition. This also comes in other colors: gray, black, and blue.

Music 2-CD Limited Edition: second CD includes song remixes, released in line with her Drowned World Tour

I also had the Asian (and Australian) Edition of the album which has "American Pie" as bonus track, but I gave it to a co-teacher. Hindi ko pa kasi kinakarir ang pangongolekta nu'n.

Ray of Light in two variants: limited (silk) edition and regular edition

(ROL regular edition: inside, notice the difference?)

*Limited Box Set Edition*

American Life Box Set has the uncensored edition of the album, back to back black and white poster, and postage stamp.


These two are still sealed, thus I have no inside pictures.

Confessions on a Dance Floor has a 44-page full color photo album of Madonna, 80-page blank notebook with Madonna's sketches, and a bonus track called "Fighting Spirit."


Hard Candy Candy Box has two bonus edit remixes of "4 Minutes" and a candy pack.


Hard Candy LP: 4 sides (3 songs per side) making the sound of each song crisp and devoid of hiss sound that is very particular to vintage LPs; has a third LP that includes two bonus tracks ("4 Minutes" Remixes - not included in the CD Single and different from the Candy Box edition), and; CD of the entire album.



Biboy has bought me some old Madonna LPs in New Zealand. They are quite cheap compared to the prices charged here by ebay.ph sellers. The LPs are still with him.

*Some album collaborations, compilations, and contributions*

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me produced "Beautiful Stranger" while Die Another Day produced the song of the same title, Madonna's James Bond theme song contribution.

Red Hot + Dance has Madonna's "Supernatural (Original Arms Arms Mix)" not included in any album; Max 7 has "American Pie (Richard 'Humpty' Vission Radio Mix); Max 9 has "GHV2 Thunderpuss Remix" not available in the GHV2 album

These albums produced duets with Madonna. Ricky Martin has "Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazon) while In the Zone has "Me Against the Music."

There are still other albums that has Madonna singing for them. I have them on MP3s already, but as an OC (obssessive-compulsive), I want to have hard copies. Some are already out of print while some are still available. Saka ko na lang sila kakaririn.

*Cassette Albums*

Madonna wrote and sang "I'll Remember" for With Honors. Max 6 has "Beautiful Stranger."

These were Thompson Original-released albums on cassettes. My mom bought these in Oman, and these could probably their local versions. The Best of Madonna cassette is the Like a Virgin album with "Into the Groove" and "Crazy for You" as additional tracks.

This Billboard-released cassette of I'm Breathless has lyric sheet on it, also bought in Oman. The original release has none.

This is a Music King-released of The Virgin Tour Live. This is really rare since mom also bought this in Oman. I have never seen any fan site mentioned this release. I have enjoyed listening to this one as much as watching the concert on video! Truly a classic!

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