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REISSUES : 25 years later, Jackson’s Thriller still thrills
BY ELLIS WIDNER
Posted on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Michael Jackson’s Thriller was a real thriller when it was released.
It produced seven hit singles, classic music videos and became the best-selling studio album in music history with sales topping 27 million in this country. It is surpassed in sales only by a compilation, Eagles Greatest Hits.
So, as Jackson continues to work toward re-establishing himself with music fans, where better to start than revisiting his greatest success ?
Michael Jackson’s Thriller — 25 th Anniversary Edition (Epic / Legacy ) has been issued in a deluxe edition ($ 29. 98 ) with the original nine-song album, a bonus tune from the original sessions (the ballad “For All Time” ), five remixes featuring will. i. am, Kanye West, Fergie and Akon and a DVD with three videos — “Thriller,” “ Beat It” and “Billie Jean” — plus Jackson’s performance of “Billie Jean” from the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever TV special.
There also is a version sans DVD at $ 19. 98, with all the bonus songs.
Thriller was calculated and crafted to be a crossover smash, designed to break racial and generational barriers. Building on the success of 1979 ’s Off the Wall and its hits (“ Rock With You, ” “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” ), Thriller had baby boomer pop with the Paul McCartney duet “The Girl Is Mine,” the hard-rocking guitar of Eddie Van Halen on “Beat It,” slick soul on “Baby Be Mine,” the edgy funk of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin ’” and the dreamy ballad “The Lady in My Life.” There is no denying that Thriller still packs an aural punch. Producer Quincy Jones, arranger and writer Rod Temperton and Jackson fused brightly polished production with well-written songs and slick performances by a batch of studio vets.
Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo and others clearly cut their teeth on these tunes and those of Off the Wall.
They also learned many of their moves from the master, as the digital re-do of the videos (especially the title track ) show. Jackson’s approach to videos as conceptual rather than taped performances was groundbreaking; he experimented with special effects, running times and storytelling. He also was the first black artist to go into heavy rotation on MTV.
But nowhere was Jackson’s prowess as an entertainer more in evidence than on the clip from Motown 25. His electrifying performance of “Billie Jean” and his moonwalk dancing shot Thriller into orbit. It was the country’s No. 1 album for a stunning 37 weeks.
This is the second Thriller makeover; the 2001 edition included a bunch of interview bits and two songs, “Someone in the Dark” and a demo of “Billie Jean,” none of which are on the new edition.
The remixes are generally unimpressive. West’s work on “Billie Jean” enhances the powerful string arrangements and adds his signature beat to build even more tension, raising the psychological underpinning to near paranoia. Though it doesn’t work, Akon took the biggest chance by turning “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin ’” into a blue, moody piece.
But Thriller — its nine original tracks — is still a thrill...
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/218715/
Mar 4 2008 8:03 AM EST
Akon Hoping For Michael Jackson Collaboration On Forthcoming LP, Acquitted
'It's a worldwide record,' says 'Kon, who's releasing his new album in early May.
By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Jeff Cornell
Akon says it won't be long before his new album hits the shelves.
"We're trying to get it out by the first week of May," he recently told MTV News in Los Angeles. "The album is practically done now. It's called Acquitted."
The singer is hoping the first single will feature Michael Jackson, who he just spent time working with. (While some reports say Jackson has finished recording his part for the track, it was unclear whether all the legal hurdles had been cleared as of press time.)
"It's a worldwide record," Akon said. "The record is so huge. It's too big. [Michael's] the only person I could have collaborated with. The other [songs] on the album are huge though."
Akon has so much music in his catalog that he already has a follow-up to Acquitted mapped out.
"My fourth album is called Double Jeopardy," he revealed. "I'm already on it. It's all set up. If they want all the records now, it would take me 30 days to put it together."
During his talk with MTV News, 'Kon's good friend T-Pain strolled up and began making jokes. The two are supposed to go on tour later this year with the entire Konvict Muzik team. Pain has also been in Atlanta working on an album that's set to drop in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Akon's vocal swagger can be heard on the new 25th-anniversary reissue of Jackson's Thriller, where he remixed "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."
"These records are timeless," he said. "They can go on forever. It's easy, because a lot of stuff we are doing now was taken from records back then. We're all sampling, taking ideas from melodies back then. It was real easy for me."
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582675/20080303/akon.jhtml
Talkative students and bullets: the lecturer's woes
[FONT=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Jonathan Wolff[/FONT]
[FONT=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Tuesday March 4, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]The Guardian[/FONT]
Anyone else remember Michael Jackson's proposal that there should be a universal children's bill of rights? I have to admit that this sounds like the beginning of a rather off-colour joke, but all I'm doing is relating a tale from a slightly more innocent time. The idea was set out in a speech made to the Oxford Union in 2001. Uri Geller gave an introduction, and then the singer tearfully related the story of his own childhood, while also publicising his new charity Heal the Kids and explaining his idea for a type of children's charter.
The Oxford Union is often accused of vying with Paris Hilton in its obsessive attention-seeking, but in this case, surely, we are in its debt. Although ridiculed at the time, the content of the proposed bill of rights seems sensible enough; indeed very close to current government policy. Included are the "right to be loved without having to earn it" and, no doubt specially adapted for a UK audience, the "right to be read a bedtime story without having to compete with the evening news or EastEnders". But the one that stuck in my head was that children, said Jackson, should have "the right to be listened to without having to be interesting". Well ...
Soon after hearing about this idea, I made the mistake of reporting it to a fellow parent at the school gate. I hadn't thought it through. We then had to suffer the apparently limitless random babblings of her three-year-old, while we played a game of chicken: who was going to be first to say that, like most rights, this one has its limits? Luckily we were saved by the bell. Since then, I have kept Jackson's wisdom to myself whenever there are children around.
But what should we make of the right to prattle on? As a child, Lord Macaulay clearly took a different view. Supposedly, he kept completely schtum until the age of four, saying nothing until one day, on being accidentally scalded with hot coffee and comforted by a guest, responded: "Thank you madam; the agony is somewhat abated." But, one has to admit, Jackson is to be preferred to Macaulay, on this issue at least.
If children have the right to be listened to, who has the duty to do the listening? Presumably parents and teachers. But does there come a point in one's life where the right lapses, and perhaps another point, towards the end, when it fades back in again? From an educational point of view, though, there is a dilemma for any seminar leader. How do you strike the balance between respecting - indeed encouraging - everyone's right to contribute, and ensuring that the seminar achieves its educational goals?
Many student evaluation questionnaires ask whether the teacher allowed the right amount of discussion. There is often more variation in answers to this than on any other question, and for an obvious reason. If the teacher allows students to talk even without being interesting, few others will approve for long. Of course, many seminar groups have an ideal student or two, making all the right points. But equally there will be the student who always comes to the wrong end of the stick - slowly. Your job, naturally, is to try to nudge such a student into following the rule: "be brief and to the point". But the success rate in this respect will be patchy, and there will be those who are incapable of reform. Over a term-long course a "three strikes and you're out" is about the limit of co-student tolerance.
As Tolstoy might have said, while students can talk too little only in one way, they can talk too much in a number of different ways. They can make irrelevant points. They can think that their unique life experience is going to illuminate every issue. They can be very slow to get to the point. And worst of all, they can be abusive of other students. But as a colleague pointed out: what a wonderful job it is when one of the worst problems you have to face is dealing with a student who talks too much. Especially when put in the context of Jackson's sixth right: the right to an education without having to dodge bullets at school. · Professor Jonathan Wolff is head of philosophy at University College London. His column appears monthly
http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2261679,00.html
[SIZE=+2]Today in[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Michael Jackson History[/SIZE]
1980 - Randy Jackson was seriously injured in a car crash.
1998 - Michael Jackson's "History On Film Volume II" was named Best International Video at the 12th annual RIAJ (Recording Industry of Japan) Gold Disc Awards.
[SIZE=+2]Michael Jackson Quote[/SIZE]
People always told me be careful of what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do 'cause the lie becomes the truth
- Michael Jackson, Billie Jean
REISSUES : 25 years later, Jackson’s Thriller still thrills
BY ELLIS WIDNER
Posted on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Michael Jackson’s Thriller was a real thriller when it was released.
It produced seven hit singles, classic music videos and became the best-selling studio album in music history with sales topping 27 million in this country. It is surpassed in sales only by a compilation, Eagles Greatest Hits.
So, as Jackson continues to work toward re-establishing himself with music fans, where better to start than revisiting his greatest success ?
Michael Jackson’s Thriller — 25 th Anniversary Edition (Epic / Legacy ) has been issued in a deluxe edition ($ 29. 98 ) with the original nine-song album, a bonus tune from the original sessions (the ballad “For All Time” ), five remixes featuring will. i. am, Kanye West, Fergie and Akon and a DVD with three videos — “Thriller,” “ Beat It” and “Billie Jean” — plus Jackson’s performance of “Billie Jean” from the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever TV special.
There also is a version sans DVD at $ 19. 98, with all the bonus songs.
Thriller was calculated and crafted to be a crossover smash, designed to break racial and generational barriers. Building on the success of 1979 ’s Off the Wall and its hits (“ Rock With You, ” “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” ), Thriller had baby boomer pop with the Paul McCartney duet “The Girl Is Mine,” the hard-rocking guitar of Eddie Van Halen on “Beat It,” slick soul on “Baby Be Mine,” the edgy funk of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin ’” and the dreamy ballad “The Lady in My Life.” There is no denying that Thriller still packs an aural punch. Producer Quincy Jones, arranger and writer Rod Temperton and Jackson fused brightly polished production with well-written songs and slick performances by a batch of studio vets.
Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo and others clearly cut their teeth on these tunes and those of Off the Wall.
They also learned many of their moves from the master, as the digital re-do of the videos (especially the title track ) show. Jackson’s approach to videos as conceptual rather than taped performances was groundbreaking; he experimented with special effects, running times and storytelling. He also was the first black artist to go into heavy rotation on MTV.
But nowhere was Jackson’s prowess as an entertainer more in evidence than on the clip from Motown 25. His electrifying performance of “Billie Jean” and his moonwalk dancing shot Thriller into orbit. It was the country’s No. 1 album for a stunning 37 weeks.
This is the second Thriller makeover; the 2001 edition included a bunch of interview bits and two songs, “Someone in the Dark” and a demo of “Billie Jean,” none of which are on the new edition.
The remixes are generally unimpressive. West’s work on “Billie Jean” enhances the powerful string arrangements and adds his signature beat to build even more tension, raising the psychological underpinning to near paranoia. Though it doesn’t work, Akon took the biggest chance by turning “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin ’” into a blue, moody piece.
But Thriller — its nine original tracks — is still a thrill...
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/218715/
Mar 4 2008 8:03 AM EST
Akon Hoping For Michael Jackson Collaboration On Forthcoming LP, Acquitted
'It's a worldwide record,' says 'Kon, who's releasing his new album in early May.
By Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Jeff Cornell
Akon says it won't be long before his new album hits the shelves.
"We're trying to get it out by the first week of May," he recently told MTV News in Los Angeles. "The album is practically done now. It's called Acquitted."
The singer is hoping the first single will feature Michael Jackson, who he just spent time working with. (While some reports say Jackson has finished recording his part for the track, it was unclear whether all the legal hurdles had been cleared as of press time.)
"It's a worldwide record," Akon said. "The record is so huge. It's too big. [Michael's] the only person I could have collaborated with. The other [songs] on the album are huge though."
Akon has so much music in his catalog that he already has a follow-up to Acquitted mapped out.
"My fourth album is called Double Jeopardy," he revealed. "I'm already on it. It's all set up. If they want all the records now, it would take me 30 days to put it together."
During his talk with MTV News, 'Kon's good friend T-Pain strolled up and began making jokes. The two are supposed to go on tour later this year with the entire Konvict Muzik team. Pain has also been in Atlanta working on an album that's set to drop in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Akon's vocal swagger can be heard on the new 25th-anniversary reissue of Jackson's Thriller, where he remixed "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."
"These records are timeless," he said. "They can go on forever. It's easy, because a lot of stuff we are doing now was taken from records back then. We're all sampling, taking ideas from melodies back then. It was real easy for me."
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1582675/20080303/akon.jhtml
Talkative students and bullets: the lecturer's woes
[FONT=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Jonathan Wolff[/FONT]
[FONT=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Tuesday March 4, 2008[/FONT]
[FONT=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]The Guardian[/FONT]
Anyone else remember Michael Jackson's proposal that there should be a universal children's bill of rights? I have to admit that this sounds like the beginning of a rather off-colour joke, but all I'm doing is relating a tale from a slightly more innocent time. The idea was set out in a speech made to the Oxford Union in 2001. Uri Geller gave an introduction, and then the singer tearfully related the story of his own childhood, while also publicising his new charity Heal the Kids and explaining his idea for a type of children's charter.
The Oxford Union is often accused of vying with Paris Hilton in its obsessive attention-seeking, but in this case, surely, we are in its debt. Although ridiculed at the time, the content of the proposed bill of rights seems sensible enough; indeed very close to current government policy. Included are the "right to be loved without having to earn it" and, no doubt specially adapted for a UK audience, the "right to be read a bedtime story without having to compete with the evening news or EastEnders". But the one that stuck in my head was that children, said Jackson, should have "the right to be listened to without having to be interesting". Well ...
Soon after hearing about this idea, I made the mistake of reporting it to a fellow parent at the school gate. I hadn't thought it through. We then had to suffer the apparently limitless random babblings of her three-year-old, while we played a game of chicken: who was going to be first to say that, like most rights, this one has its limits? Luckily we were saved by the bell. Since then, I have kept Jackson's wisdom to myself whenever there are children around.
But what should we make of the right to prattle on? As a child, Lord Macaulay clearly took a different view. Supposedly, he kept completely schtum until the age of four, saying nothing until one day, on being accidentally scalded with hot coffee and comforted by a guest, responded: "Thank you madam; the agony is somewhat abated." But, one has to admit, Jackson is to be preferred to Macaulay, on this issue at least.
If children have the right to be listened to, who has the duty to do the listening? Presumably parents and teachers. But does there come a point in one's life where the right lapses, and perhaps another point, towards the end, when it fades back in again? From an educational point of view, though, there is a dilemma for any seminar leader. How do you strike the balance between respecting - indeed encouraging - everyone's right to contribute, and ensuring that the seminar achieves its educational goals?
Many student evaluation questionnaires ask whether the teacher allowed the right amount of discussion. There is often more variation in answers to this than on any other question, and for an obvious reason. If the teacher allows students to talk even without being interesting, few others will approve for long. Of course, many seminar groups have an ideal student or two, making all the right points. But equally there will be the student who always comes to the wrong end of the stick - slowly. Your job, naturally, is to try to nudge such a student into following the rule: "be brief and to the point". But the success rate in this respect will be patchy, and there will be those who are incapable of reform. Over a term-long course a "three strikes and you're out" is about the limit of co-student tolerance.
As Tolstoy might have said, while students can talk too little only in one way, they can talk too much in a number of different ways. They can make irrelevant points. They can think that their unique life experience is going to illuminate every issue. They can be very slow to get to the point. And worst of all, they can be abusive of other students. But as a colleague pointed out: what a wonderful job it is when one of the worst problems you have to face is dealing with a student who talks too much. Especially when put in the context of Jackson's sixth right: the right to an education without having to dodge bullets at school. · Professor Jonathan Wolff is head of philosophy at University College London. His column appears monthly
http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2261679,00.html
[SIZE=+2]Today in[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Michael Jackson History[/SIZE]
1980 - Randy Jackson was seriously injured in a car crash.
1998 - Michael Jackson's "History On Film Volume II" was named Best International Video at the 12th annual RIAJ (Recording Industry of Japan) Gold Disc Awards.
[SIZE=+2]Michael Jackson Quote[/SIZE]
People always told me be careful of what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
And mother always told me be careful of who you love
And be careful of what you do 'cause the lie becomes the truth
- Michael Jackson, Billie Jean
Last edited:
