This CD is really a release of Pre-Madonna, which came out through Harmony Music in 1997. The original release had a tenth track, an edited version of "Ain't No Big Deal 97".

As far as early recording goes, this is the best, for it seems Steve Bray took the actual demos Madonna recorded and enhanced and fixed them.

Some of the songs are outstanding, especially "Stay (81)" and Don't You Know, which were combined to form the song "Stay" as it appeared on the Like A Virgin album. Both were good as they are (and better than the version appear on the album) and I wonder why Madonna didn't record them the way they were originally written.

Laugh to Keep From Crying features Madonna at her Chrissie Hynde best while Crimes of Passion shows how a lot of her songs that came later would resemble it structurally (Into the Groove, True Blue, Causing a Commotion, Can't Stop, Cherish, Express Yourself).

This is a must for die hard Madonna fans. They are NOTHING like the Otto Von Wernherrr recordings that Madonna made. Unlike In the Beginning, Otto used Madonna's backup vocals and looped them over and over and over against some really bad music. THOSE stay away from. THIS one, if you missed Pre-Madonna in 1997, here is your chance to get these early Madonna recordings.

If you think you know the early Madonna, you don't.

"In The Beginning" is a surprisingly solid collection of Madonna's early songwriting with partner Stephen Bray. Unlike the trademark "Minnie Mouse on helium" singing style of her first two albums, "In The Beginning" showcases a deep-voiced, sultry Madonna that will make you do a double-take at first listen.

Some of these songs made the cut to Madonna's first album... but in radically different forms. "Burning Up 1981" is a far cry from the familiar album and single version from 1983. Here you get a glimpse of what might have happened if Madonna had pursued a career in rock rather than dance music. "Everybody" is presented in two different versions here: the original dance version (not too much of a stretch from the familiar album version) and a 1997 reggae (yes, reggae) remix that Madonna probably would not have commissioned.

Getting back to the rock 'n' roll Madonna... "Laugh To Keep From Crying" could well be this album's standout song. Like "Burning Up 1981," "Laugh..." is guitar-driven rock. Not heavy metal by any means, but 80's girl-group rock. Somewhat like The Bangles, The Pretenders, or the Go-Gos. Lets you know that, had she wanted, Madonna could have been a rocker: she had the attitude, and the deeper voice she sings in here sounds strong, confident, and very effective.

The rest of the collection consists of additional unreleased tracks ("Crimes Of Passion," "Ain't No Big Deal" and "Don't You Know") that sound like the beginning of the 80's New York dance sound of Madonna's familiar early works. "Crimes of Passion" sounds like a preliminary version of "Into The Groove" (completely different lyrics, of course, but the musical arrangement has the same feeling as ITG).

If you're a hardcore Madonna fan, "In The Beginning" will show you an interesting dichotomy between the dancefloor diva that she became versus the rocker she easily could have been.

Madonna proves how talented she truly is long before she was recognized and adored by the world. Her rendition of The Pretenders' "Laugh to Keep from Cryin'" is a revelation. She played the guitar-harmony in this tune. Her decision to center her early career on dance music however proves she really knew what she was doing--to "conquer the world" with her artistry.

So many imitation CD's have come out with supposed Madonna vocals before her success. Actually, a lot of them are the same CD with a different cover. This CD, however, truly is Madonna's voice with the original mixes and some updates. It comprises of many of her demos that she used to get a record deal.

If you have followed her career from the get-go, you are in for a treat! You will hear the original versions of "Stay" and "Burning Up." Different arrangements, intensities, etc. And the songs aren't bad! Avoid anything by Otto Von Werner (or whatever his name is). This is the CD with the real deal.

A great album that chronicles the evolution of a superstar and media queen! A must-have for fans that will not disappoint.

I own the cd pre-madonna which was released by a company called harmony. This cd is the exact same except it doesn't have the track ain't no big deal 97 edit version. Also the songs are listed in different order than on pre-madonna. This cd is really great for madonna collectors. It's basically a blue print to her first album. A couple of the songs didn't make it to her first album but they should have. One of my favorites is crimes of passion which reminds of get into the groove. Ain't no big deal the 81 version is also awesome. Every song is great. As everyone else has been saying stay away from madonna the early years. That cd is very sorry. Someone gave me the cd & I swear it deserves to be burned. I only listened to it for 30 seconds & that was enough for me. I have had it for 3 yrs now & I haven't picked it up since.