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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ashland's ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum to double classroom space New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Police Reports Schneider Art Museum installation re-imagines Rivera UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit Education New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Cars We Remember: The original Candymatic Ramchargers Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Blazers fight back, edge Jazz Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory High school Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Letters to the Editor, March 27 Editorial Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Letters Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Theater Ticket availability Ticket Availability Ashland Contemporary Theatre seeks new artistic director Ticket Availability The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Community Blog: What is Peace? Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Inner Peace: The good, the bad and the spiritual Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... The Farr Side: Madonna — ever the trendsetter Comment By David T. Farr More Content Now DailyTidings.com By David T. Farr More Content Now Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 7:47 AM By David T. Farr More Content Now Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 7:47 AM » Social News Madonna has never followed rules. In fact, she made up her own. She’s a pop pioneer of the greatest magnitude. Any pop princess who came after her can only say they took pages from her playbook to make their careers. I’ve long admired Madonna for being herself. She’s never wavered to public scrutiny, nor has she ever followed someone else’s path. She’s the mother of reinvention. Madonna’s latest album, “Rebel Heart,” is yet another impressive release from the woman whose career spans more than 30 years. You’d think some of the luster would have fizzled by now. It hasn’t. In fact, there’s no sign of that happening anytime soon. Her recent Grammy performance of “Living For Love” should have proven that. “Rebel Heart” is her 13th studio album in a career that also includes six compilation albums, three soundtrack albums, four live albums, 11 EPs, three remix albums and 21 box sets. Wow, I’m almost out of breath! The new album finds her being Madonna, for lack of a better word. It’s an electro-dance pop record with a few surprises thrown in for good measure, a proven recipe for the Material Girl. She can also thank the likes of Avicii, Diplo and Kanye West for helping with the album. When all her contemporaries are putting out albums of classics and standards, Madonna charges on. And, at 56, she’s still relevant. I bet if Madonna were to tackle the classics, they’d be stellar. “Evita” still gives me chills. That being said, “Living For Love” is the first track to come from “Rebel Heart.” It’s in line with the Madonna we saw at Y2K. This song could very well have been included on “Ray Of Light” or “Music.” I especially like the deep-house disco inflections (thank you, Avicii). “Hold Tight,” “Best Night,” “Inside Out” and “Joan Of Arc” have nice melodies with thoughtful lyricism. Each is a potential single. Madonna excels on “Ghosttown,” her best in years. It’s my favorite track on the album. Music like this has made her a favorite of mine for 30 years. But what would Madonna be without a little controversy? We’ve never known her to be without it. Madge hooks up with Nicki Minaj for “B---- I’m Madonna,” which we could’ve done without. The track “Iconic” features a Mike Tyson rant coupled with a verse from Chance The Rapper. And “Holy Water” tackles Christian imagery with sexuality. As big a cultural phenomenon as Madonna is, we sometimes forget she was the girl from Detroit who moved to New York to make it big. She then told Dick Clark on “American Bandstand,” “I want to rule the world.” In essence, she has. Maybe it’s due to her having a rebel heart. David T. Farr is a Sturgis (Michigan) Journal correspondent. Email him at [email protected]. By David T. Farr More Content Now DailyTidings.com By David T. 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