Michael Jackson "This Is It" Tour
Michael Jackson is singing at his final rehearsal from his "This Is It" tour. Michael Jackson is
Michael Jackson This Is It Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' Live
Michael Jackson's live "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" rehearsals.
Michael Jackson This Is It Human Nature Live
Michael Jackson's live "Human Nature" rehearsals. The segment begins where the original.
Michael Jackson This Is It
The Way You Make Me Feel rehearsal not found in the original clip that aired on Oprah's show. Also included is some footage from the Human Na...
Initial reaction to Michael Jackson's new single has been fairly positive, but no one is declaring the song a classic.
This Is It, which began streaming early Monday at michaeljackson.com, is the first new music by the pop icon to be released since his death June 25 at age 50.
It's the title track of an upcoming documentary that chronicles his last days of preparation for a series of London comeback concerts that were to have started in July. The film, which opens Oct. 28 for a two-week run, is accompanied by a double-disc album with original masters and alternate versions of Jackson's biggest hits.
The sunny, orchestra-backed single is punctuated by finger snaps and background vocals by his brothers. It will be heard in the movie's closing sequences. Those familiar with Jackson's music say the song probably was recorded during sessions for 1991's Dangerous album. The song is markedly similar to I Never Heard, a 1991 Safire song that Jackson co-wrote with Paul Anka.
"It's a safe, midtempo pop ballad that features what his fans love: his trademark breathy vocals and confident delivery," says AOL music editor Jessica Robertson. "I don't think it will set the world on fire, because it's missing what fans and critics love most about his songs, which is a strong and powerful groove to carry it."
"It's not bad," says Cori Murray, entertainment director at Essence magazine. "Folks who love him are going to love this. Sometimes with songs like this, you know why it was unreleased, but this sounds like something he could have put on an album."
In the Los Angeles Times' Pop & Hiss music blog, Todd Martens was more critical. He called the song "a trifle, and while it's one that certainly won't embarrass Jackson's legacy or break the hearts of fans eager to hear Jackson's voice again, it does bring the fallen pop icon a little back down to earth."
On the other hand, Dan Aquilante of the New York Post described it as "an optimistic, R&B ballad with an upbeat, percolating rhythm that has all the bombast and power of the New Jack Swing period of the early '90s." The style's founder, Teddy Riley, was a principal producer on Dangerous.
This Is It may not be representative of the dozens of unreleased Jackson songs in Sony's vaults, says Vibe.com editor in chief Jermaine Hall. In recent years, the singer had recorded with Akon, Ne-Yo and a variety of contemporary artists.
But the song will be a crowd-pleaser, no matter its vintage, Hall says. "Michael is so beloved by his fans that they are just waiting for anything that comes out from him — and they'll be happy with this record."
The single will return the focus to Jackson's music.
"This reminds you that he was a great artist and great songwriter," Murray says. "You'll want to see the last footage of him being that artist."
Anka gets credit on Jackson single
With a familiar high-pitched voice counting off one-two-three-four, a new Michael Jackson single debuted online, prompting a hasty response from the singer's estate after Paul Anka revealed he was the song's co-writer.
This Is It is featured on the soundtrack to the upcoming documentary featuring the late superstar, but its genesis was actually in 1983 when it was written for a duets album Anka was recording.
The song was called I Never Heard - and Jackson and Anka are credited as co-authors on an early 1990s version recorded by the singer Sa-Fire.
Anka said Jackson's estate moved quickly to give him credit, promising Anka 50% of the song's profits.
"They did the right thing," Anka said. "I don't think that anybody tried to do the wrong thing. It was an honest mistake."
The string-backed ballad was released on the singer's official website and sent to radio stations. It gives advance publicity to the documentary, culled from footage of Jackson rehearsing for the concerts that he never got a chance to do.
Representatives of Jackson's estate acknowledged Anka's work in a prepared statement. Until Anka stepped forward, the song's history was a mystery.
"The song was picked because the lyrics were appropriate because of the name Michael gave his tour," the statement said.
"We are thrilled to present this song in Michael's voice for the first time and that Michael's fans have responded in unprecedented numbers."
Singer Anka, 68, initially contemplated legal action after being informed by outlets such as the New York Times and TMZ of the similarities between This Is It and the Sa-Fire version. But later he said he was satisfied with how the situation was handled.
Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
This Is It is featured on the soundtrack to the upcoming documentary featuring the late superstar, but its genesis was actually in 1983 when it was written for a duets album Anka was recording.
The song was called I Never Heard - and Jackson and Anka are credited as co-authors on an early 1990s version recorded by the singer Sa-Fire.
Anka said Jackson's estate moved quickly to give him credit, promising Anka 50% of the song's profits.
"They did the right thing," Anka said. "I don't think that anybody tried to do the wrong thing. It was an honest mistake."
The string-backed ballad was released on the singer's official website and sent to radio stations. It gives advance publicity to the documentary, culled from footage of Jackson rehearsing for the concerts that he never got a chance to do.
Representatives of Jackson's estate acknowledged Anka's work in a prepared statement. Until Anka stepped forward, the song's history was a mystery.
"The song was picked because the lyrics were appropriate because of the name Michael gave his tour," the statement said.
"We are thrilled to present this song in Michael's voice for the first time and that Michael's fans have responded in unprecedented numbers."
Singer Anka, 68, initially contemplated legal action after being informed by outlets such as the New York Times and TMZ of the similarities between This Is It and the Sa-Fire version. But later he said he was satisfied with how the situation was handled.
Copyright © 2009 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
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