Today, I finally unwrapped the clear plastic on a movie that's been sitting on my desk for a while now. The movie I speak of is- 'This Is It', a musical documentary chronicling the rehearsals leading up to what was supposed to be Michael Jackson's very last world tour. A tour that the world would never get to experience due to Michael's sudden death last June.
That movie was hypnotizing! I was completely in awe! It was as if I had never seen it before. Well, it's been a while...
If anyone is a Michael Jackson fan, it is me. A proud one at that. I never got into or distracted by the clouds of controversy that surrounded his life and career, simply because I was too distracted by his music.
I truly believe that growing up playing an instrument, just being a musician, period, makes me appreciate music on another level. On a different scale, if that makes any sense. I can break down music piece by piece, sound by sound, layer by layer. I can pretty much tell you which instrument is controlling what within a score. I can also easily identify nearly any instrument in a sea of noise as easily as I blink my eyes, and I can always tell you when a cello is present. I think that easily identifying different sounds is a skill that most musician have; some, of course, are better than others. Now, Michael Jackson was like me, maybe even you, but on mega steroids, and I don't mean the drug addiction. His ear was sick! The way he analyzed and critiqued people's sound, of course "in love" as you will witness in the movie, was astonishing! I think this is what led him to make the timeless and revolutionary music that had us dancing through decades.
I love some artists, but there is bold line that separates the great from the popular. Although Michael was pop music, he was iconic and legendary; his music is embedded in the fabric of so many generations and so many cultures. Not many musicians can say that. Michael dissolved every single music barrier by transcending race, culture, religion, gender, age, etc., in a way the world had never witnessed before. He annihilated records and his success is a true testament to his talent. When he sang, people listened, when he danced, people watched, and we were completely transfixed. His music was an experience; it was explosive, captivating, and larger than life. Many have tried and certainly will continue to want and try to replicate his iconic style and sound, but no one will ever be able to. He was truly one-of-a-kind.
Michael is one of those rare and brilliant artists that come around every few decades or so and changes the game, changes the way we not only hear music, but the way we see it. There's a difference between loving an artist and appreciating an artist. People "love" Rihanna, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, shoot even my girl Beyonce, and although they make great music -- some are even on their way to being icons and legends, some are already considered to be-- I wouldn't go as far to say that people appreciate the music these ladies make. I so desperately want to pull Beyonce out of that group and I think I will. She's truly in a league of her own. Even Lady Gaga. Anyway, my point is people from all over the world, not only loved Michael's music, but they appreciated his art.
I remember going to see This Is It in the movie theaters; I think that's why I wasn't in such a hurry to watch it at home, because I already witnessed it. I also remember the boy who sat next to me who barely spoke English, but literally sang along to every single song. How magical is that? I know this is probably the most random post in the history of this class, but watching This Is It really made me think about Michael Jackson and all he has done for music, and it really made me miss his sound. Thank YouTube for the Michael Jackson channel!
In closing, I leave you with one of my favorite Michael Jackson songs, probably my favorite ever. It is Butterflies from the 'Invincible' album that came out in 2001. I remember coming home from school and my dad had the CD waiting for me! (:
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