Lyrics blog - Threatened

"Tonight’s story is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction
A monster had arrived in the village
The major ingredient of any recipe for fear is the unknown
And this person or thing is soon to be met
He knows every thought, he can feel every emotion
Oh yes, I did forget something didn’t I? I forgot to introduce you to the monster."

Threatened was my favorite track out of Invincible from the first time I listened to the album. Well that's a bit of stretch. All Michael Jackson tracks are my favorite, each of them are special and tell a different story and raise a different emotion.

I always looked at this song as kind of a hidden track on the album. Or if you like more of a hidden treasure. Well the whole album was forced into a hidden treasure status by Sony.

Beyond all this going back and forth I'll explain my choice now for this Lyrics blog post.

Threatened is Michael Jackson's smart mouth abilities at their best. He was a shy, polite, respectful person. Get on his nerves and he will put you down in the nicest way possible.

The track is  a power song - the rhythm is infectious, the lyrics bring the best of rap tradition mixed up with a gospel like intensity, it has a dramatic feel to it.

"You’re fearing me, ‘cause you know I’m a beast
Watching you when you sleep, when you’re in bed
I’m underneath
You’re trapped in halls, and my face is the walls
I’m the floor when you fall, and when you scream it’s ‘cause of me
I’m the living dead, the dark thoughts in your head
I heard just what you said
That’s why you’ve got to be threatened by me"

It might as well be a live performance. One can see the stage, the musicians, Michael dancing - it's visual.

I hope one day to find out the story behind recording it. And I would not be surprised to find out the lead vocals were recorded in one take. The sound effects and additional voice recordings might have taken more work though.

Whatever is the case the finished product is nothing less of AMAZING. Considering the names behind it - Michael, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, LaShawn Daniels, Rod Serling and Bruce Swedien - it's not a surprise. It's business as usual.

It's fierce, and he was right people were fearing him. All the attacks against him were driven by it. Fear of what he stood for, fear he had too much influence on culture, music industry and everyday people.

He dared to brake barriers and taken his art and message beyond all kind of borders. He was a threat for STASI (East German Security Service) and I bet few other Secret Services had their eyes on him.

"You should be watching me, you should feel threatened
Why you sleep, why you creep, you should be threatened
Every time your lady speaks she speaks to me, threatened
Half of me you’ll never be, so you should feel threatened by me"

Listening to the songs is an exiting experience. Still after 10 years every time I listen to it is new to me. I discover something else about both lyrics and sound.

And by that I mean it's a pure MJ song. It doesn't get dusty or rusty. You play it - it rocks your world :) 

"You think you’re by yourself, but it’s my touch you felt
I’m not a ghost from Hell, but I’ve got a spell on you
Your worst nightmare, it's me, I'm everywhere
In one blink I’ll disappear, and then I’ll come back to haunt you
I’m telling you, when you lie under a tomb
I’m the one watching you
That’s why you got to be threatened by me."

The lyrics are smart, funny, slick and I think we could all find more adjectives for them. They follow in the same line as few others hidden treasures in Michael's albums (though his albums always generated a long list of hits the songs which where not released as commercial singles are all into this category) such as "She Drives Me Wild","2 Bad", "Superfly Sisters", and list could be much longer but these have the same "smart mouth" lyrics.

It shows Michael in a slightly different light not to be mistaken with me saying it showed him as a different person, rather a view from a  different angle.

And if these songs weren't promoted as commercial singles or in his tours I think it was because he chose to promote songs that would fall into the message he wanted to share with the world.

He loved children and loved working for causes supporting children issues, he promoted them without rest and throughout his life and despite of what the media presented him it wasn't all he did.

But the two main reasons why I love this song are the following.

Though is the last song on the "Invincible" album, it sets the tone for it. It's positive, it is energetic and being that it distance the album from the anger, the sadness and the torment of "HIStory".

Second is that it shows off his wit. 

Well with 10.000 + books in the Neverland library and his passion for knowledge he was much more then met the tabloids eye.

It leaves both the musical phrase and the reasoning open.

That's why it's maybe strange how the song is now the last of all true Michael Jackson releases and by that I mean the last finished and polished by him.

And judging by the continuous shoots at Michael and his legacy people are still threatened by him.

And they have something else to fear - people payed attention and learned from his message of LOVE. And no one can erase that.

"The unknown monster is about to embark
From a far corner, out of the dark
A nightmare, that’s the case
Never Neverland, that’s the place
This particular monster can read minds
Be in two places at the same time
This is judgement night, execution, slaughter
The devil, ghosts, this monster is torture
You can be sure of one thing, that’s fate
A human presence that you feel is strange
A monster that you can see disappear
A monster, the worst thing to fear."

The song comes as a sequel to both "Thriller" and "Ghosts" as an entertainment (fun and games) piece and of all their deeper meaning.

We tend to reject what we don't fully understand. We do not invest time to educate ourselves and see what brings us together rather then what sets us apart.

Then we will be able to appreciate our differences.

"What you have just witnessed could be the end of a particularly terrifying nightmare.
It isn’t. It’s the beginning."

 Thank you @Cassarah

It´s all for L.O.V.E: Berlin´s Wall

Today`s anniversairy: 21 years of fall of Berlin´s Wall and reunion. Feel invited to re-read:

It´s all for L.O.V.E: Berlin´s Wall

Michael Jackson In His Own Words -Ebony/Jet Interview

this is an interview I found of Michael's & it looks like this is right before he started his Bad world tour. I thought it was cute when I found this video the link said "MJ in His Own Words" & It made me think of this blog post I write so i thought i'd post this video. thanks go out to www.ebonyjet.com . they were and continue to be very fair supporters of Michael :)

It´s all for L.O.V.E: Children's Day, October 2010 - The price of the Gold

click here to  --> read about the real price we have to pay for gold: It´s all for L.O.V.E: Children's Day, October 2010 -

5 Ways We Will Stop the Haiti Cholera Outbreak...TOGETHER

After  the devasting earthquakquake 9 months ago I started to follow some guys who have gotten in on action for Haiti. One of these human beings is @ShaunKing, a 31 year old husband, father, pastor, and grad student (in that order) in downtown Atlanta.  He is the Lead Pastor of The Courageous Church - a  new, diverse, exciting church in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Shaun  has been shot at, robbed, beaten within an inch of his life, and nearly killed in car crash, but just won’t die.  He has taken this as a sign that God hasn´t finished with him and has decided to squeeze all of the potential out of life as a sign of his thankfulness to God for so many second chances. Today, after the shocking news about the Haiti Cholera Outbreak, I found the message below on Shaun´s  facebook site. 

Help to spread the good prevention around. You´ll find the links in the text below.  
Show THAT YOU CARE, tweet the news stories and demand a solution.

Thank you for reading. 
Love and God bless. 
Cassarah (from the "it´s-all-for-love-webteam")

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"I am writing this quickly, but have thought it through and talked with people on the ground in Haiti and here in the states.  I will work with anybody who wants to be a part of this solution. We have already sent money, supplies, people, and more to Central Haiti and they are there as I type.

I hope I have built up credibility with you for getting things done.  If not, I urge you to find someone you trust that is a part of this solution before thousands of people die of a preventable illness that is cheap to combat.

1. I honestly think $100,000 that is spent well would solve this entire problem.  The items that we need to stop the spread of cholera and nurse people back to health are inexpensive.  Every dollar you donate @ aHomeInHaiti.org for the next 7 days will go directly to this outbreak.  This is the quickest way to get things flowing.  If you give today we will spend it right away on antibiotics, clean water, salt, sugar, iv's, antibacterial solution, and education tools.

2. We have a company offering to give us $100,000 for our causes in Haiti. What we have to do is SUPER SIMPLE. If you go to TripAlertz.comand sign up there, they will donate $1 to our cause - up to $100,000.  Over 10,000 people have signed up already and we have 90,000 opportunities left to raise $100,000! It take less than 20 seconds, is free (no credit card needed), is not a scam, etc.  The company is like the Groupon of travel.

3. Continue to make this a BIG DEAL on Twitter & Facebook.  Do NOT spread misinformation, but tweet the news stories, demand a solution, and show the world YOU CARE!  I am 100% sure that YOU & I are able to affect the news cycle and make this a priority for the world.  This is essential.

Let's make this the TOP NEWS story on the news tonight!

4. Help spread GOOD PREVENTION information in every way you know how.

Here is a PDF on cholera prevention in English.  Here is one in Kreyol.

5. This last one is about your heart.  Commit in your heart that you will see this solution all the way through. Kids are dying because they are drinking dirty, infected water and YOU can change it.  Let's do it.

UPDATE :: I am working with a few people & organizations on the ground and I will report how you can support them directly as I get the information."

~ Shaun King

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Webteam-Addition: Some more useful links:

• Current Map of the Cholera Epidemic 
 update from 10/23/2010 at 11:10 am

• Medical Treatment: Zinc Supplementation in Cholera                                      
• Free Health Materials in Kreyòl, Spanish and English
• Health map Haiti: New safe water installations

 

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Children's Day, October 2010 - The price of the Gold

For this month's Children's Day on our blog I wanted to write something about a project that aims at bringing smiles on children's faces - but in light of a news bulletin I watched yesterday,
I had to write about something else.

This is not a fully document piece of writing and I apologize for that. you will find much more well documented reports from the sources I mentioned and on the suggested links below.
This is aimed at only bringing attention to a situation that affects a large number of people and children especially as a high risk group.



Photo : The Ecologist

Gold. It's symbolism is associated to deity and power. It's shiny aspect has been the pride and joy of many. It is a big part of the global economy.
Throughout history has been part of the rise and fall of empires and people.
For communities and individuals have been a way out of poverty but much to often this claimed too many lifes and destroyed too much of other nature's riches. Gold mining is on debate in my country so this has very close ties to 'home".



Photo : guardian.co.uk

In the past weeks news agencies have been reporting on information from UN, Doctors Without Borders and World Health Organization about an outbreak of lead toxicity in northern Nigeria, the Zamfara State.
According to WHO, The Zamfara State Ministry Of Health released data about a pattrn of childhood death and illness in at least 6 villages in the Local Government Areas of Bukkuyum and Anka.
Doctors Without Borders reports that earlier this year, cases of lead poisoning in children and adults were confirmed in 5 villages in Zamfara State and newer data show an increase of the affected population area.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which conducted a preliminary study say that in the affected villages more people have died this year then anywhere in the world over the past 40 years.
Mining has been banned for several months in the northwestern Nigerian State

International agencies are working in an attempt to contain the pollution but 
18,000 people are affected by mining activities 
(may that be mining of the gold or processing it).

At least 400 children have died from poisoning.
(Reuters)



Photo : The Nigerian Inquirer

Further more the communities are reluctant to offer information about lead-related illnesses or deaths - gold is the mean of escaping a life of severe poverty2 hours extracting it from the ground could be the equivalent of 2 months cultivating millet.
Sacrificing children and the surrounding environment is not the grounds for sustainable development. I'm not denying the right of each individual to the pursuit of better living nor am I judging those who do.The problem should be tackled by local, national and international authorities in the sense of creating legal background and means to implementing long term development programs from which the communities will be able to profit from without compromising the future.

The Nigerian Inquirer - The Tragic Gold Mining Affair in Zamfara State
http://www.nigerianinquirer.com/2010/07/06/the-tragic-gold-mining-affair-in-zamfara-state/

Reuters - 400 Nigerian children dead from lead poisoning: MSF
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69439J20101005

Michael Jackson In His Own Words

I have taken this from Michael's Dancing the Dream. I love this book & i'm sure all of you do too it's hard to pick just one piece to post because they are all so great but here you go & I hope you enjoy it :)

That One In The Mirror

I wanted to change the world, so I got up one morning and looked in the mirror. That one looking back said, "There is not much time left. The Earth is wracked with pain. Children are starving. Nations remain divided by mistrust and hatred. Everywhere the air and water have been fouled almost beyond help. Do something!"
That one in the mirror felt very angry and desperate. Everything looked like a mess, a tragedy, a disaster. I decided he must be right. Didn't I feel terrible about these things, too, just like him? The planet was being used up and thrown away. Imagining earthly life just one generation from now made me feel panicky.
It was not hard to find the good people who wanted to solve the earth's problems. As I listened to their solutions, I thought,"There is so much good will here, so much concern." At night before going to bed, that one in the mirror looked back at me seriously. "Now we'll get somewhere," he declared. "If everybody does their part."
But everybody didn't do their part. Some did, but were they stopping the tide? Were pain, starvation, hatred, and pollution about to be solved? Wishing wouldn't make it so--I knew that. When I woke up the next morning. that one in the mirror looked confused. "Maybe it's hopeless," he whispered. Then a sly look came into his eyes, and he shrugged. "But you and I will survive. At least we are doing alright."
I felt strange when he said that. There was something very wrong here. A faint suspicion came to me, one that had never dawned on me so clearly before. What if that one in the mirror isn't me? He feels separate. He sees problems "out there" to be solved. Maybe they will be, maybe they won't. He'll get along. But I don't feel that way-- those problems aren't "out there" not really. I feel them inside me. A child crying in Ethiopia, a sea gull struggling pathetically in an oil spill, a mountain gorilla being mercilessly hunted, a teenage solider tembling with terror when he hears the planes fly over: Aren't these happening in me when I see and hear about them?
The next time I looked in the mirror, that one looking back had started to fade. It was only an image after all. It showed me a solitary person enclosed in a neat package of skin and bones. "Did I once think you were me?" I began to wonder. I am not so separate and afraid. The pain of life touches me, but the joy of life is so much stronger. And it alone will heal. Life is the healer of life, and the most I can do for the earth is to be its loving child.
That one in the mirror winced and squirmed. He hadn't thought so much about love. Seeing "problems" was much easier, because love means complete self honesty. Ouch!
"Oh, friend," I whispered to him, "do you think anything can solve problems without love?" That one in the mirror wasn't sure. Being alone for so long, not trusting others and being trusted by others, it tended to detach itself from the reality of life. " Is love more then real pain?" he asked. "I can't promise that it is. But it might be. Let's discover," I said. I touched the mirror with a grin. "Let's not be alone again. Will you be my partner? I hear a dance starting up. Come" That one in the mirror smiled slyly. He was realizing that we could be best friends. We could be more peaceful, more loving, more honest with each other every day.
Would that change the world? I think it will, because Mother Earth wants us to be happy and to love her as we tend her needs. She needs fearless people on her side, whose courage comes from being a part of her, like a baby who is brave enough to walk because Mother is holding out her arms to catch him. When that one in the mirror is full of love for me and for him, there is no room for fear. When we were afraid and panicky, we stopped loving this life of ours and this earth. We disconnected. Yet how can anybody rush to help the earth if they feel disconnected? Perhaps the earth is telling us what she wants and by not listening, we fall back on our own fear and panic.
One thing I know: I never feel alone when I am earth's child. I do not have to cling to my personal survival as long as i realize, day by day, that all of life is in me. The children and their pain; the children and their joy. The ocean swelling under the sun; the ocean weeping with black oil. The animals hunted in fear; the animals bursting with the sheer joy of being alive.
This sense of "the world in me" is how I always want to feel. That one in the mirror has his doubts sometimes. So I am tender with him. Every morning I touch the mirror and whisper. "Oh friend, I hear a dance. Will you be my partner. Come"

Michael Jackson's name uncovered !.

Today is a great day for all of Michael Jackson's fans all over the world because finally Michael Jackson´s name was uncovered from the Gardner Street Elementary School Auditorium in Hollywood. After fifteen years having the name covered thank to the efforts of the Uncover MJ's name team and lots and lots of fans who dedicated time to wrote mails asking for the name to be uncovered, today it is. The It´s all for love blog team would like to congrats and say thank you to the Uncover MJ's name team for their hard work, for never giving up, and for believe that everything is possible. Also wants to say thank to Jodi Gomes and Mrs. Katherine Jackson because they also made this possible, by taking the time to know about the cause and to work side by side with the Uncover MJ's name team. And we can't forget to say a big THANK YOU! to all the fans who also made that this incredible moment happened, those fans who always being there by re tweeting something on twitter, or by posting something on their facebook walls, or by signing petitions and writing letters and e-mails talking about the cause, but not just this cause but lots of more causes that I'm sure in due time will reach the goal we're seeking. Today we've to be proud of what all of us made, working together, side by side.

I'm sure Michael is proud of us, their fans. He's celebrating in heaven, doing his dances and smiling with that big, bright and beautiful smile that only he has. But most of all I'm sure that today Michael can be sure that he has the best fans in the world. Fans who love him with an incredible passion, that support him in everything he wanted to do, fans who are loyal to him and his beliefs, and fans that now that he's in heaven will continue to make him more alive than never by keeping his legacy intact and trying to make the world a better place.

Today one of our missions were accomplished, but there's many more that we've to work together to make them come true. And if you allow me I'd like to close this by quoting something that Michael Jackson said in one of his songs:

"THERE´S NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE, IF WE RAISE OUR VOICE AS ONE.".

Today we did it, may let us to make this many more times and I'm sure we'll succeed in everything we want to accomplish.

You have the opportunity to read the statements made by LAUSD and MRS. KAtherine Jackson through Taj Jackson twitter account.

Statement made by Katherine Jackson.

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/6ghahm

Statement made by LAUSD:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=166754980002531

Today more than ever:

IT ALL FOR LOVE.

L.O.V.E !

Faith and human spirit

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

Nelson Mandela

The next time we find ourself with our heads down, looking for signs or asking for answers, we should look inside and trust. Trust in God whom is always walking along us, trust in ourself because we have been blessed with many gifts, trust in each other and love.

Photo telegraph.co.uk

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

 El Mercurio - Mosaic tribute 

http://www.emol.com/especiales/2010/fotos_AD/mosaico_mineros/index.htm

http://www.emol.com/

It´s all for L.O.V.E: Requiem For A Dream

It´s all for L.O.V.E: Requiem For A Dream

Watch or re-watch a brilliant video montage and really wonderful tribute from 3utterfly, which shows what Michael Jackson will always be remembered for .....

Happy Birthday, John Lennon

John Lennon


Imagine lyrics


Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky



Imagine all the people

Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace...


 
You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one



Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world...



You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one.

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We celebrate the life of John Lennon,
whose birthday is today...


R.I.P., John - we miss you.

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Thank you for the music and the inspiration

*Thank you for the music and all the inspiration, 

which makes you going to live forever.

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*Edit: enjoy Google´s tribut 

 

Special thanks to the creative guys from Google.

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Berlin´s Wall

20 years ago a country has gotten its freedom by its reunification...

    Credits to Heiko Burkhard

www.lilano.com

Berlin 1989 

They hated the Wall, but what could they do? It was too strong to break through.

They feared the Wall, but didn't that make sense? Many who tried to climb over it were killed.       

They distrusted the Wall, but who wouldn't? Their enemies refused to tear down one brick, no matter how long the peace talks dragged on.

The Wall laughed grimly. "I'm teaching you a good lesson," it boasted. "If you want to build for eternity, don't bother with stones. Hatred, fear, and distrust are so much stronger."
They knew the Wall was right, and they almost gave up. Only one thing stopped them. They remembered who was on the other side. Grandmother, cousin, sister, wife. Beloved faces that yearned to be seen. 

"What's happening?" the Wall asked, trembling. Without knowing what they did, they were looking through the Wall, trying to find their dear ones. 

Silently, from one person to another, love kept up its invisible work.

"Stop it!" the Wall shrieked. "I'm falling apart." 

But it was too late. 

A million hearts had found each other. 

The Wall had fallen before it came down.

~Michael Jackson, excerpt from his book " Dancing The Dream"

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Lyrics blog: Keep The Faith

... Continuing a wonderful idea that @doublebeee had ...

Ever since I first listened to the album Keep The Faith stood out for me. Back then I was only starting to learn English so I felt it before fully understanding what was about (it did help it had the lyrics on that beautifully designed sleeve).



Through the years this song has been a source of inspiration and energy for me. It has that gospel sound to it. Undeniably beautiful with powerful vocals it reaches for the depth of ones soul with an amazing effect of lifting it above hardship and trouble.

Bruce Swedien recalls the song took a lot out of Michael while recording it in a 1992 Rolling Stone article (Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" Mind) with trying to find the right key.

"I thought we'd have a major, major problem," I told him, 'Pull yourself together, face this now.' And it was late. I said, 'We're not going home until you've sung this all the way through. Then we'll go home and be able to sleep and continue.' That was scary. But he did it. He pulled himself together. We went in the studio, cut a whole new demo and recorded a scratch vocal all way through. A situation like that could have been a real block. We didn't leave studio till dawn."

I Know That Keepin' The Faith
Means Never Givin' Up On Love
But The Power That Love Has To Make It Right

Glen Ballard said Michael is an "incredible singer". "He'll spend two years making a record, then go out and sing all the lead vocals in a week. He's got such confidence and ability. I've worked with him sitting at a piano and having him sing, and it's just a religious experience - the guy is amazing... he's expressive, has great pitch, does incredible backgrounds. His backgrounds are probably as good as anybody I've ever heard - they're textures unto themselves."

 

 

While Teddy Riley is quoted to say  "I really admire the work that went into this track. Anything Michael does, I can admire. It doesn't really remind you of any of his other songs; this one's a bit different to his usual tracks but it stands out. Michael's always innovative. With this track, I just think he went another way due to the structure of the track and the instruments used. Well, that and him working with Glen Ballard with the writing on it – they kind of went head-on with that track."

If You Call Out Loud
Will It Get Inside

"The thing that sometimes seems to get overlooked about 

Michael Jackson is what an absolutely phenomenal singer he was. 

He had one of the greatest gospel shouts of the 20th Century, quite possibly the last of it's kind.

Jerry Dammers (The Specials)

 

How many times have we found ourselves looking for something to hang onto. Something or someone who will save us and help us pull through? Daily struggles take sometimes the best of us and we forget we have this amazing resource inside of us. 

 

And You Can Say The Words
Like You Understand
But The Power's In Believing
So Give Yourself
A Chance

I find it hard to express into words the effect this song has on me. 

I Know That Keepin' The Faith
Means Never Givin' Up On Love

There have been many times when I thought about giving up. And sometimes I did. But this song always brought me back to trying. 

I almost never consciously set out to listen to it. But somehow it played when I needed to hear it. 

 

Lift Up Your Head
And Show The World You Got Pride
Go For What You Want
Don't Let 'Em Get In Your Way
You Can Be A Winner
If You Keep The Faith
Straighten Out Yourself
And Get Your Mind On Track
Dust Off Your Butt
And Get Your Self-Respect Back
You've Known Me Long Enough
To Know That I Don't Play
Take It Like You Want It
But You Got To Keep The Faith

 

"Keep The Faith" Credits

* Written and composed by Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett and Michael Jackson
* Produced by Michael Jackson
* Co-produced by Bruce Swedien
* Recorded and mixed by Bruce Swedien
* Solo and background vocals: Michael Jackson
* Arrangement by Glen Ballard, Jerry Hey and Rhett Lawrence
* Choir arrangement by Andrae and Sandra Crouch, featuring the Andrae Crouch Singers
* Background vocals: Siedah Garret and Shanice Wilson
* Piano and bass: Jai Winding
* Drums, percussion and synthesizer: Rhett Lawrence
* Drums and percussion: Bruce Swedien
* Synthesizers: Michael Boddicker
* Guitar: David Williams

 

Also read:

Bruce Swedien: Recording Michael Jackson

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov09/articles/swedien.htm

Children´s Day: Poem: What Children Know

Children know laughter
They know tears
Children know peace
They know chaos
Children know acceptance
They know rejection
Children know joy
They know pain
Children know abundance
They know lack
Children know health
They know illness
Children know fulfillment
They know emptiness
Children know hope
They know dismay
Children know love
They know hatred
What they don’t know is WHY!

(Credits to: Namie Elisha)

"When I see children, I see the face of God. 
That's why I love them so much. That's what I see." 
~Michael Jackson, 2003 60 Minutes with Ed Bradley

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One woman show

It's the soul that stands out.

Through the years I've known Jennifer Batten as (mainly) Michael Jackson's tour guitarist. I was in the stadium in Bucharest for the HIStory tour concert. Not to many people can stand next to Michael Jackson on stage and make a strong impression.

Yet again we're talking about the lady that also stood next to Les Paul and Jeff Beck and was never the sidekick but part of the main act. 

This post was triggered by my experience last night at a music event I attended in Bucharest, Romania - Ziua Chitarelor (Guitars Day) which brought together Jennifer Batten, basist Stuart Hamm (who together with drummer Mike Vanderhule deserve a statue for their marathon last night supporting all the guitarist without knowing the songs in advance), guitarists Andreas Oberg, Dave Martone, Michael Lee Firkins, Damjan Pajcinoski and Dragianni.

I went there as a Michael Jackson fan wanting to say thank you to Jennifer for being part of the magic and also because it was Michael and his passion for music that allowed me to discover my own. I also went there as a guitar addict (I picked up a guitar when I was 5 and ever since I kept on playing - I'm not a guitar player but just someone who enjoys the sound and the feel of it and plays for amusement and to shake off the bad ) and someone who cannot imagine life without music.

And I went there wanting to experience live the Two Hands Rock approach - the wonderful tapping and hear without an intermediary the sounds of Jennifer's guitar.

She took the stage for a master class and a short show but she rocked the house. What stands out is how "clean" and natural, unaltered the guitar sounds when she plays. Not a single note is forced.

On her own or sharing the stage with the others she is always leading in an powerful but not aggressive way.

Songs by Michael, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix as well as songs of her own - whatever she played was high quality rock filled with soul - that music soul that people can recognize by feel.

It's hard to describe in words the connection and the experience of it all but the energy and the joy I got from the day I'll carry inside with me.

I love Jennifer for the guitar hero that she is (about that - next to me sat a group of teenage boys, talking about band rehearsals asking themselves and me when will Jennifer be on again after her master class) and for the person that she is. 

She never developed a complex from being called as Michael Jackson guitarist and she is still now, she made herself available to the fans, and she is a musician who never stopped being herself, never stopped sharing her passion for music with the audience. She is one of the greatest guitarist of all time and by default she broke down barriers by showing the guys how to rock.

Thank you Jennifer ! It was magic.

Current shows

http://www.batten.com/Current-Shows.html

Jennifer Batten on Twitter

http://twitter.com/mondocongo

A Very Happy Birthday, mike1909

 

Credits for the picture: www.hifriendz.com

Your birthday 

is a special time to celebrate

the gift that YOU are to us, dear sister.

The entire blog-team is grateful to have met you. We wish you for the next year of your life that some of your wishes will come true- and that some may be left so that you can dream up many new. Thank you for all your L.O.V.E and neverending support and compassion.

Remembering 9/11, 2001 - What More Can I Give

Today we would like to remember all victims of September 11, 2001 and send prayers to their families and loved ones. And all the victims that had to lose their lives as a reaction to this incident.

Let's hope and pray the world will constantly overcome religious and other differences and we begin to understand living in tolerance of our fellow humans around the world.

“What More Can I Give” (“Todo Para Ti” in Spanish) is a song written by Michael Jackson and recorded by a supergroup of singers following the September 11 attacks in 2001. The inspiration for the song had initially come to Michael after a meeting with the President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in the late 1990s.

Michael rewrote “What More Can I Give” as reaction to the incidents of that day in 2001 and recorded that new version with fellow superstar artists shortly afterward. ”What More Can I Give” was scheduled for release as a charity single, in the hope that $50 million would be raised to aid the survivors and the families of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Due to the severe problems with Sony Music at the time Michael's dream did not come true. The song was released digitally in 2003 and all proceeds from the sale of the song went to children’s charities.

Let's remember all the lost ones today and forever. Help spreading tolerance and love and ask yourself "What More Can I Give?"





Rest in peace Michael and Luther Vandross. We miss you very much!!!

September 8th - International Literacy Day

Statistics released by UN are alarming : one is five adults is still not literate, two thirds of them are women, 67.4 million children are out of school.

The definition of literacy and a literate person is vast according to UNESCO. A literate person is one, who can, with understanding, both read and write a short statement relevant to routine life, and capable of analytical understanding of men’s condition in the world. Literacy is a means of personal liberation and development and delivering individuals educational efforts. Literacy is a method of achieving faculties to develop their economic status and general well being and inculcating values of national integration, conservation of surroundings, fairer sex’s equality, observance of standard family tradition, etc. 

"Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy."

(UNESCO)

"Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. There are good reasons why literacy is at the core of Education for All (EFA).

A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development."

(UNESCO) 

Education offer chances and choices to people. Education is an important instrument in fighting against poverty, violence, intolerance, AIDS and so on. Education brings hope.

"A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five."
(UNICEF)

It is in our hands to build a better future. Literacy and education for all are our best strategies against the plagues of this world.

Resources

The Literacy Project

http://www.google.com/literacy/

UNESCO - United Nations' Literacy Decade (2003 - 2012)

http://www.unesco.org/en/literacy/right-navigation/un-literacy-decade/

International Institute for Educational Planning

http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/news/single-view/hash/636ace57b3.html?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=638&tx_ttnews[backPid]=262

Room to Read

http://www.roomtoread.org/Page.aspx?pid=734

1 GOAL

http://www.join1goal.org/home.php

4664 - Awareness and education through entertainment

http://www.46664.com/Home.aspx

Nelson Mandela Children's Fund

http://www.nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com/index.php

It´s all for L.O.V.E: 'They're killing a dance.'

The dolphin-killing-season has already started again. Take action, please.
It´s all for L.O.V.E: 'They're killing a dance.'

Some of the TT's from Michael's Birthday by his family, friends, and celebrities

this is from @Fabtasticbaby (Laura Mott) she took the time to put together all the TT's from Michael's birthday from his family, friends and celebrities I thought it was awesome so I reposted it here thanks Laura!! :)



If you post this anywhere could you please credit the page :) thankyou ♥

By Genevieve Jackson (Michael's Niece)

- #messagetoMJ my cousins & i went 2 neverland 2 visit uncle michael & had a candy fight on the seadragon ofcourse uncle threw the most candy.

- #HappyBirthdayMJ I Love you Uncle Michael!

- #MessagetoMJ Always threw my bday parties at Neverland, thanks Uncle Michael for allowing me to do that. Best Birthdays EVER!

- Uncle Michael always called me "Randy with a Wig on" #MessagetoMj

- #messagetomj thank you for teaching us how to love mother earth and one another...thank u for being the light

By Taj Jackson (Michael's Nephew)

- #MessageToMJ I promise to spoil my 3 cousins w/ the same love & joy that you spoiled us. Take care of my mom up there. I love you more.

- #MessageToMJ Thank you uncle Michael for leaving your music and legacy with us. We will take care of both with pride.

- #MessageToMJ There will never be another person who genuinely loved his fans as much as you did. Today, they are showing that love back.

By Jackie Jackson (Michael's Brother)

- We have to keep trying to make the world a better place #MessageToMJ

- Because of the messages in your music , we all make better choices in our lives today #MessageToMJ

- #MessageToMJ my favorite short film you did is "Ghosts"! Love the choreography & of course your performance of so many different characters

- #MessageToMJ I remember how one day the snake escaped & we were so scared, especially Toya, Janet & Mother

- #MessageToMJ I remember how in the 80's you turned Hayvenhurst into a mini-zoo, with giant snakes, llamas, tigers, parrots and monkeys :)

- #MessageToMJ You would be so proud of your 3 children right now, they carry on your spirit with so much pride... I love and miss you!

By Marlon Jackson (Michael's Brother)

- Mike words will never express the hole left 4 me, my kids & the world. Our bond is unbreakable. My 1st #messagetoMJ is.. I LOVE YOU MORE

- My 2nd #messagetoMJ is #HappyBirthdayMJ always my little brother! I miss you. Study Peace,Marlon J

By Omer Bhatti

- #MessageToMJ LOVE YOU FOREVER. I dedicate today and every other day in my life to you. "Big Blankets" #HappyBirthdayMJ RT

- #MessageToMJ Thank you for all the wisdom and knowledge.

- #MessagetoMj I remember u said that the world would appreciate Invincible more later.You were right: http://lnk.ms/BYZ48 Album Of The Decade

- #MessageToMJ I was just a kid, but I remember so vividly when u gave me the nickname "Lil Monkey" I guess it will stick with me forever =)

By Austin Brown (Michael's Nephew)

- I'm so happy to see everyone celebrating the life of my loving uncle Michael #messagetomj

- I want to share one of my favorite stories about my uncle #messagetomj ...

- My Uncle was the most thoughtful person in my life and always managed to bring a little bit of magic into my (cont) http://tl.gd/3d1c08 (<>

By Jodi Gomes

- #messagetoMJ - I Never Can Say Goodbye, is my first of many thoughts @tajjackson3

- #messagetoMJ @1992 saw u record at Larrabee. Dancing & sweating u kept changing clothes "Smelly" & said "If it don't stink, it aint funky"

- #messagetoMJ I'm sorry for the pain inflicted on you.Id take it away if I could, but will make sure Prince Paris Blanket only see the good

- #messagetoMJ your music & presence endured my whole life. many things 2 say in only 140 words. Let's start with one word L.O.V.E - pls RT

- #messagetoMJ to whom much is given, much is required. U carried an enormous gift of LOVE, HUMANITY & TALENT.thx for sharing with the world.

- My Message to MJ... hope you can open it. - http://filesocial.com/73ymakr

- @7:33pm PST will tweet my last convo with MJ from June 23rd & share with world. Finally Feels good to speak bout it w/out tears (I will post when Jodi has tweeted the story)

By Teddy Riley

- This is such a special day. I'm wishing my brother a Happy birthday. Michael, today is your day. Yesterday I was called to work on your lp!!

- I know this is you sending down you blessing for me to be on the project. And of course I am honored to be working with you my big brother.

- I can't wait to put my heart and soul on the new MJ project. This is it...Dangerous was the last biggest selling MJ lp. I am proud & bless.

- Michael, Sisqo, and me. http://twitgoo.com/1o6amu

- Randy Jackson (Michael's Brother) - I will be at Forest Lawn today between 3:00 and 3:30pm.

- Donte Jackson (Michael's Nephew) - #MessageToMJ Thank u for teaching us the true meaning of unconditional love.ur light will illuminate our souls 4ever. i am loving you,always

- Randy Jackson Jr (Michael's Nephew) - Happy Bday uncle michael miss and love you.

- TJ Jackson (Michael's Nephew) - #MessageToMJ I will forever live my life trying to make you proud. You have made me who I am. Love you forever!!! Love you, Uncle Michael!

- Orianthi (TII Guitarist) - Remembering the awesome entertainer and person we all loved on his b'day today.

- Lenny Kravitz - Happy Birthday Michael. I feel your spirit here with me as I am working on a new version of our track. Lenny http://twitpic.com/2jhbmi ( <>

- Kendall Jenner - #happybirthdaymj !!! we all miss you!!!

- Kris Jenner - To Michael Jackson, Thank You for such generosity to our family and we will never forget all of our memories at Neverland! #MessageToMJ RT!

- Khloe Kardashian - To Michael: thank you for letting us throw birthday parties at Never Land! We miss you! #MessageToMJ

- Kim Kardashian - #messagetoMJ We miss you Michael http://bit.ly/cjLuBW Some of my fondest memories are at Neverland Ranch

(Between Kim & Taj - There's no place like Neverland RT @TajJackson3 -@KimKardashian Thanks Kim for your #MessageToMJ. I remember those Neverland days well.)

- Kourtney Kardashian - Thank you for changing the world in so many ways. #MessageToMJ ... You are the only person I have ever met and felt "star struck" because you are larger than life, your presence is powerful. #MessageToMJ.

- Keri Hilson - He's the perfect example of using ur God given talents, fulfilling ur purpose & leaving ur mark on all humanity. ... http://tmi.me/ROoC

- Marlon Wayans - #happybirthdayMJ 4 all the times we 4got 2 say it, 4 all the times we took u 4 granted, 4 all the love u put out. Happy bday love u. .... Did u tell MJ happy bday? In the immortal words of @KevinHart4real Say wit ya chest nigga!

- MJ's Bodyguards - Today we celebrate Who Mr. Jackson is, Not who he was. #MessageToMJ We will Honor you in Death as we did in life! Much luv Mr. Jackson...RIP, Bill, BJ, Mike.

- Kenny Ortega - May His Smile continue to light our days, His Laughter ring through our ears and His Heart Dwell in ours. Long Live the King! L.O.V.E. TOY

- Timor Steffens (TII Dancer) - Happy Bday #Michaeljackson we love u!!! RT 2 spread L.O.V.E.

- Jordin Sparks - #happybirthdayMJ #messagetoMJ You still ARE the King of Pop. Thanks for inspiring me & countless others to reach beyond the stars. <3

- George Lopez - Happy Birthday to The King of Pop .. Michael Jackson .. you continue to inspire #MessagetoMJ

- Brandy - You are and forever will be the GREATEST!!!!! #messagetomj

- James Bourne (Busted) - greatest memory of my childhood is Wembley at the Dangerous tour watching you explode on to the stage! never forget it <3>

- Justin Bieber - Happy Birthday to the best that ever did it....the greatest entertainer of all time...and my hero and inspiration. #HappyBdayMJ RIP ... #messagetomj thank u 4 giving me and so many others inspiration and dreams. Ur the greatest that ever did it and ever will do it. Ur my hero

- Scooter Braun - to the legend who changed my life and the one man I will wish but never get to meet. Thank u for everything - #happybirthdayMJ

- Neyo - HAPPY BDAY TO THE MAN THAT MADE MY CAREER POSSIBLE!!! The late, the great, the legendary MJ. We miss you like crazy.....

- Boyz II Men - Happy BDay MJ! Miss u so much man! Thanx for the inspiration, the music, and the advice, something we will always cherish!!

- Pleasure Ellis - Dear Michael Jackson. Thank you for teaching me to Love and care for People. I will always truly Love you Unconditionally. Happy Birthday. (thanks @Sashapanda)

If you post this anywhere can you please credit the page :) Thankyou ♥

Please feel free to add more from fans, family, whoever :) I've definitely missed some