The Brightness of Being BAD.
“Another question: about half of the tunes on Bad are actually in between keys (a microtone between pitches on a piano): how/why did this happen?”
BAD was recorded on Tape as Pro Tools wasn’t out yet in fact our only computer in the Studio was Bruce’s Mac SE-30. The reason tracks are in between keys is a result from VSOing the tape, speeding it up a few cents to to brighten up the songs for radio. We had listening sessions, picking out just the right amounts of this treatment … very fun.
Another fantastic story from the Gear Slutz “Remembering Michael Jackson” thread. If you haven’t yet checked it out, be sure to!
Dame Elizabeth Taylor on “This Is It”
The following comes from Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s Twitter page in which she tweets (over the course of several individual tweets) her thoughts about “This Is It”.
For ease of reading we present them here joined together (we have added breaks where we feel they are most appropriate).
I was honored with the great privilege of seeing “This Is It” last week. I was sworn to secrecy, but now I can let you know about it. It is the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen. It cements forever Michael’s genius in every aspect of creativity. To say the man is a genius is an understatement.
He cradles each note, coaxes the music to depths beyond reality. I wept from pure joy at his God given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again. And we have this piece of film to remind us forever and ever that once there was such a man. God kissed him. God blessed him and squandered nothing, but loved it all.
Michael knew how to put together every tone, every nuance to make magic. To say he was a genius seems so little. I wish my vocabulary encompassed what I feel. You owe it to yourselves and your loved ones to see this again and again. Memorize it and say to yourselves, “I saw genius in my lifetime”. I loved genius in my lifetime. God was so good to me. I will love Michael forever and so will you, if you don’t already.
I hope I don’t sound condescending. I’m sure you already know what I’m talking about, but go to see it again and again. I meant to repeat myself. I love you.
I remember Michael loved you. He was totally up to now and the message of today in all his songs. If you listen to his lyrics they are those of a modern day prophet and it beseeches us to listen to him and what he sang. I won’t use words like preaching because that is off-putting, but listen. Listen to his messages. From “Black And White”, “Man In The Mirror”. The inspiration behind “We Are The World”. We must take his words of responsibility seriously. We cannot let his life be in vain / and always done with love.
Remember that. Remember him and thank God for him and his genius.
Kenny Ortega did a masterful job of directing the process that goes into making a complete show before hitting the stage. From A to Z you get Michael’s input on every level. Michael’s genius at work with the dancers. Mr. Ortega catches Michael in his every mood. You see in front of your eyes Michael’s genius blossoming on this piece of film thanks to Kenny Ortega and his crews. I truly believe this film should be nominated in every category conceivable.
“This Is It” opens Tomorrow evening. We’ll be at the Midnight screening and will report back about our thoughts.
New Jackson Single and Album Coming in October →
The single, “This Is It”, will be released Oct. 12th, with the 2-disc album to follow on Oct. 26th (Internationally) and 27th (North America).
Behind the Scenes of Janet's VMA Tribute →
Though Janet Jackson had not performed the choreography from “Scream” since she and her brother Michael shot the video in 1995, it couldn’t have been a more fitting tribute to him. Jackson talked about the making of that video along with how she prepared for the Video Music Awards in the half-hour special “The Making of Janet Jackson’s VMA Tribute Performance,” which aired Saturday (September 19), and re-airs Sunday at 12:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 7 p.m. on MTV.
Oprah Reflects on Michael Jackson and Their Interview →
On February 10, 1993, Oprah sat down with Michael Jackson for what would be the most-watched interview in television history.
Sixteen years after that memorable special, and just a few months after Michael’s untimely death, Oprah opens up about what she really thought of the candid discussion.
Janet Jackson Takes Control →
Janet opens up to Harper’s Bazaar and speaks candidly about her brother Michael in her first interview since his passing. A touching article about her career and just how much her big brother meant to her.
More About “This Is It”
Here’s the latest from the Wikipedia article. Bear in mind, nothing is set in stone yet (and Wikipedia can be edited by anyone so take what they say with a grain of salt), however the news about the second disc of performances for the DVD/Blu-Ray (and hopefully it will be on both, and not an annoying Blu-Ray exclusive) has us very excited!
The film will contain behind the scenes footage of Jackson backstage, on stage and directing his team as he created his fifty shows. It will also contain interviews with friends of Michael Jackson and 3-D sequences originally filmed as part of the concert performance. The DVD/blu-ray release will contain the theatrical version in its whole and a second DVD/blu-ray disc containing over 2 hours of Jackson performing, warming up his vocals and performing in full costume. A CD soundtrack will be released after the movie to coincide with the DVD/blu-ray release and will contain a new song recorded in the last two years of Jackson’s life.[8][9]
A trailer is expected to be shown during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.[citation needed]
(via Wikipedia)
Industry Bigs: Music & Michael →
Two industry big-wigs, Cory Rooney and Chris Apostle, tell of their experiences with The King of Pop. A candid behind the scenes look at the genius of Michael Jackson, and what a genuine and normal guy he really was.
(via CYInterview.com)
