Ava Weintraub
When you hear the name Michael Jackson, most likely the image of a tarnished, quirky freak of a man comes to mind. That’s now, but back in 1983 when MJ was still “normal,” he and Quincy Jones produced the record-shattering “Thriller” album. For those who are unfamiliar with the album format they were large black disks with two sides of songs and a hole in the middle and were played on a turntable (remember, CDs were not around yet).
When “Thriller” was released it became a phenomenon in the music industry. It was one of the best selling albums of the 1980s.
It was thought back in early 80s that an album with more than two hits would kill album sales. “Thriller” shattered the myth with seven of the nine songs charting as top ten hits, two as number ones: “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.” I believe the “Thriller” music video helped ensure MTV’s enormous success and really made the point that videos can drive album sales.
Now 25 years later, a “Thriller” anniversary CD has recently been released. Try to clear your mind of the Michael Jackson negative images that have caused him to become a cliché and a stereotype. Listen to the music he made in the early 80s and hear Michael Jackson, the talented artist. Listen closely and hear Eddie Van Halen’s guitar riffs on “Beat It,” and Paul McCartney on “The Girl is Mine.”
As for quality, all of the original songs are beautifully re-mastered and have never sounded better. That would be enough some people but this CD contains the addition of contemporary artists such as Fergie, will.i.am, Kayne West and Akon performing with the “Gloved One” himself.
Track Listings:
1. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’
2. Baby Be Mine
3. The Girl Is Mine (with Paul McCartney)
4. Thriller
5. Beat It
6. Billie Jean
7. Human Nature
8. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
9. The Lady In My Life
Bonus Tracks:
10. Vincent Price (bonus track)
11. The Girl Is Mine 2008 with will.i.am
12. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) 2008 with Michael Jackson and will.i.am
13. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008 with Michael Jackson, Akon and will.i.am 14. Beat It 2008 with Fergie
15. Billie Jean 2008 with Kanye West
16. For All Time (unreleased track from original Thriller sessions)
Also included is a bonus DVD with new, digitally restored versions of the three videos from the album (“Thriller” music video) as well as the Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking performance of “Billie Jean” on the “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” television special (first broadcast on NBC May 16, 1983). With vinyl records near extinction, this anniversary edition is a great addition to any collection. If you owned the old vinyl copy or never heard “Thriller,” treat yourself to some good music and some great videos.
Rated A
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