Madonna ‎– Like A Prayer (1989) [LP, DSD128]

Like a Prayer is the fourth studio album by American singer and songwriter Madonna, released on March 21, 1989 by Sire Records. Madonna worked with Stephen Bray, Patrick Leonard, and Prince on the album while co-writing and co-producing all the songs. Her most introspective release at the time, Like a Prayer has been described as a confessional record. Madonna described the album as a collection of songs "about my mother, my father, and bonds with my family." The album was dedicated to Madonna's mother, who died when she was young.
The album uses live instrumentation and incorporates elements of dance, funk, gospel, and soul into a more general pop style. Madonna drew from her Catholic upbringing, as seen on the album's title track, which was also released as its lead single. The lyrics deal with themes from Madonna's childhood and adolescence, such as the death of her mother in "Promise to Try", the importance of family in "Keep It Together", and her relationship with her father in "Oh Father". Madonna also preaches female empowerment in "Express Yourself".
Like a Prayer received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone hailing it as "close to art as pop music gets." Commercially, the album was an international success, reaching the top of the charts in multiple territories, and was certified quadruple platinum in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America. Six singles were released from the album: the title track, "Express Yourself", "Cherish", "Oh Father", "Dear Jessie", and "Keep It Together". "Like a Prayer" became Madonna's seventh number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, while "Express Yourself" and "Cherish" peaked at number two and "Keep It Together" became a top-ten hit. Worldwide, the album has sold over 15 million copies.

Tracklist:

Side 1
A1 Like A Prayer
A2 Express Yourself
A3 Love Song
A4 Till Death Do Us Part
A5 Promise To Try

Side 2
B1 Cherish
B2 Dear Jessie
B3 Oh Father
B4 Keep It Together
B5 Spanish Eyes
B6 Act Of Contrition



Credits:

Madonna – vocals, synthesizers
Niki Haris – background vocals
Marilyn Martin – background vocals
Donna DeLory – background vocals
Ali Nadirah – background vocals
Lynne Fiddmont – background vocals
Rose Banks – background vocals
Marcos Loya – background vocals
The Andraé Crouch Choir – background vocals
Jonathan Moffett – drums
Jeff Porcaro – drums
John Robinson – drums
Luis Conte – percussion
Paulinho da Costa – percussion
Guy Pratt, Randy Jackson – bass
Chester Kamen – guitars
David Williams – guitars
Dann Huff – guitars
Bruce Gaitsch – guitars
Marcos Loya – requinto
Jai Winding – synthesizers
Stephen Bray – synthesizers
Patrick Leonard – acoustic piano, B3 organ, clavinet, synthesizers
Joe Porcaro – marimba
Sandra Crouch – tambourine
Chuck Findley – brass section
David Boruff – brass section
Steven Madaio – brass section
Dick Hyde – brass section
Joseph Mayer – french horn
Richard Todd – french horn
Larry Corbett – solo cello
Chuck Findley – horn arrangement
Bill Meyers – string arrangement, conducting
Suzie Katayama – concertmaster


Thanks to the original releaser!

Hi-Res analogue rips

Likes ... Views ... Report broken link ...