Woman In The Mirror
Madonna‘s Re-Invention Tour was her first since 1987 not to feature Nikki Harris as backing singer. Her replacement was semi-familiar to casual fans and a welcome, if surprising choice to the die-hards. Siedah Garrett has been in the music industry almost as long as Madonna, but until 2004 she was better known for her links to the male Madonna – Michael Jackson. Famously duetting on his massive smash hit ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You‘ and penning his subsequent smash ‘Man In The Mirror‘ she was no stranger to dealing with the very best of the best.
Touring the world’s biggest venues was nothing new to Siedah either, having toured the globe with MJ on his Dangerous Tour in 1992/1993 and her extensive live work fronting the Brand New Heavies thereafter.
In the documentary following the Re-Invention Tour, Madonna claims she and Siedah had talked of ‘doing this’ for so long, and it’s true their working relationship did indeed stretch back many years. In fact, by then they had known each other professionally since 1985!
In 1985/6, during the recording sessions for the True Blue album, Madonna decided having female backing vocalists would give the recordings a warmer, more round feeling. Together with Edie Lehmann, Siedah was brought in to add her vocals to various songs on the project. So well did her vocals fit the songs she actually ended up recording backing vocals on ‘Papa Don’t Preach, ‘Where’s The Party’, ‘True Blue’, ‘La Isla Bonita‘ and ‘Love Makes The World Go Round‘. It must have felt surreal for Siedah to be singing Papa Don’t Preach again night after night almost 20 years after originally adding her touch to the initial recording!
Their collaboration didn’t stop there though – Siedah also joined Madonna to record backing vocals on the Nick Kamen hit ‘Each Time You Break My Heart‘.
It is the 2004 tour though which the fans will remember Siedah for. From her Like A Prayer solo, through to her sunny disposition adding to songs like Hanky Panky, Deeper And Deeper and Papa Don’t Preach she really gave her all. Anyone who was in Manchester’s MEN arena on the 15th August 2004 will remember her touching tribute to Madonna before leading the crowd in singing ‘Happy Birthday‘ to our Mads.
For those of you who weren’t, and those who were and wish to relive the moment… thanks to excellent MadonnaTribe Moderator Jamesy – click here.