Music CD Review: MJ: The Musical, based on the life and works of Michael Jackson

MJ: The Musical
based on the music of Michael Jackson (and others) (Compact Disc 782.14 MJ)

 MJ: The Musical is what they call a “jukebox musical” — in which a variety of songs (usually by a single artist or group) are integrated into the plot of an on-stage storyline, often featuring the artist(s) who created or performed the music. But not always, for instance the hit Mamma Mia exclusively featured the music of ABBA but not those performers as characters.

 

MJ: The Musical, however, really does tell the story of Michael Jackson, from his very earliest days performing with The Jackson Five, up through 1992, and the beginning of his Dangerous World tour. The music doesn’t appear in purely chronological order — in fact, the musical opens with Jackson’s hit Beat It, before segueing backwards to the early years.

 

MJ: The Musical has a complicated history. It was originally supposed to open on Broadway in 2020, but was one of many shows impacted by the Broadway closures due to COVID-19. After a recasting of the lead role, which lead to Myles Frost playing the adult Michael Jackson, the show did eventually open in February of 2022 (after two months of previews). Critics have not been kind to the show, but it has been popular with audiences. In the 2022 Tony Awards, the show was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won four: Best Lead Actor for Frost, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design. Obviously, the show’s soundtrack can’t really show up dance, lighting and sound design effective, but it DOES shine a spotlight on Myles Frost’s incredible singing. He truly “becomes” Michael in this show, and the medleys of Jackson music come across beautifully in this production. There are only a few moments in a few of the songs where it sounds like somebody else singing these highly recognizable songs.

 

I highly recommend listening to this soundtrack, if you’re a Michael Jackson fan, and catch MJ: The Musical when it begins its national tour in 2023 or 2024.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try all the original albums/music by Michael Jackson himself.)

 

( official MJ: The Musical web site ) | ( MJ: The Musical page on the official Michael Jackson web site ) | ( Wikipedia entry on MJ: The Musical )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

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Check out this, and all the other great music resources, at the Polley Music Library, located on the 2nd floor of the Bennett Martin Public Library at 14th & "N" St. in downtown Lincoln. You'll find biographies of musicians, books about music history, instructional books, sheet music, CDs, music-related magazines, and much more. Also check out Polley Music Library Picks, the Polley Music Library's e-mail newsletter, and follow them on Facebook!

Michael Jackson: The Making of Thriller

Michael Jackson: The Making of Thriller - 4 Days/1983
by Douglas Kirkland [Music 781.66 JacYk]

An interesting and quick read. Kirkland was the LIFE magazine photographer who was assigned to do a "making of" photo documentary for the music video Thriller back in 1983. This is a collection of his behind-the-scenes photos, accompanied by a variety of short essays and/or quotes from notable celebrities in Michael's life, or who were strongly influenced by Michael's work. The stills here remind me of the iconic images from the legendary Thriller music video, but add to that experience by showing Michael as a "real person", enduring hours in a special effects make-up chair without complaint, or goofing around with the director and crew. Jackson's Thriller album is still the top-selling album of all time, and may have shown the singer at the apex of his creative career. This is a very fond look back at that era, although it makes me a bit sad to think of how disconnected and bizarre he became in later years. Nicely packaged book...but a bit pricey. I'm glad I was able to read a copy from the library! [Obviously, you need to watch the Thriller music video (available commonly online), and listen to the full Thriller album to accompany this book!] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ Thriller article on Wikipedia ] | [ official Douglas Kirkland web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Thriller

Thriller
by Michael Jackson [Compact Disc 781.66 Jac]

I rarely ever like, and almost never love, every single track from a particular music album, but this is one of the exceptions. Michael not only struck gold but platinum with this 1982 reteaming of himself, Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton. Other returning collaborators from Jackson's Off the Wall album include Steve Porcaro (this time joined by several other members of Toto), Louis Johnson, Greg Phillinganes and Paulinho Da Costa. Guest performers include Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Eddie Van Halen, and James Ingram. Michael's vocal gymnastics continue, as does his songwriting skill. There is something here for everyone who likes 1970s & 1980s pop rock, from Beat It's driving guitar riff to the infectious bass line of Billie Jean. And don't overlook the last 3 tracks of this nothing-but-hits offering by the increasingly perplexing but incredibly talented Michael Joseph Jackson. Listen, remember, and enjoy. -- recommended by Becky W.C. - Walt Branch Library

[Also available in a Thriller -- Special Edition -- with four additional songs, and 25th Anniversary Edition -- with additional songs and a DVD including music video performances.]

[ official Michael Jackson web site/memorial site ]

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New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.

Off the Wall

Off the Wall

by Michael Jackson [Compact Disc 781.66 Jac]

I wasn't a "fan" of the Jackson 5 when I was a child and teen but I knew who they were. And I had enjoyed Michael's solo hit "Ben." It wasn't until I heard the songs from Off the Wall (which came out when I was 20), a tightly-produced blend of pop, disco, and r&b, that I embraced his artistry and image -- a handsome young man who could dance both vocally and physically. And I'm not a big fan of falsetto singing, either, which comprises a lot of what MJ did. The best songs, interestingly, are those that either Michael or Rod Temperton wrote or co-wrote. The tunes by such heavy hitters as Carole Bayer Sager, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney seem forgettable in comparison. The album's best tracks, for me, are: the title cut; Rock with You; Don't Stop til You Get Enough; the high-energy Working Day and Night; Get on the Floor; and the angst-laden but simply-arranged She's Out of My Life. Props not only go to Jackson, Temperton, and album producer Quincy Jones, but also studio greats Greg Phillinganes, Paulinho Da Costa, Steve Porcaro, David Foster, and Louis Johnson. Other musicians who would be more famous later on include Larry Carlton and George Duke. -- recommended by Becky W.C. - Walt Branch Library

[ official Michael Jackson web site/memorial site ]

Have you heard this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.