Michael Jackson - Greatest Hits: History Volume I

Quite recently, Michael Jackson's ultra-successful solo album Thriller from 1982 celebrated its 25 year anniversary. It rekindled my interest in the man and his music, so I chose this disc Greatest Hits: History Volume 1 out of my collection to take in my car just to enjoy the songs once again and reminisce about the days of yore. I admit that I haven't listened to Michael Jackson music for a while really (outside The Jackson 5), and so revisiting the artist seemed almost fresh and new. My appreciation for his music has certainly ventured into new levels, and most of all, I think I miss him.

For me, it's been a while - over ten years since I've enjoyed new music from Michael Jackson. Blood on the Dance Floor and Scream were probably the last two singles I really loved from Jackson, after that I admit that I totally ignored the Invincible album. So here I am re-listening to Michael Jackson music, most of which had taken the world by storm and solidified what pure Pop/Dance music is and/or should be.

The disc starts right off with maybe his biggest single Billie Jean, and immediately I am shocked by the amazing sound production of the recording. It sounds as if it could have been recorded in the studio today. When you listen to other Pop artists of the era like Journey, Pat Benatar, Lionel Ritchie and more - you either get too much reverb, thin sounding drums, synthesizers up the wahzoo, etc. Michael Jackson and his producers had the clear foresight of trying not to go over the top, and giving a well-balanced and timeless sounding recording to last, well at least 25 years I suppose.

This compilation contains most of the hits from Thriller, (except for two of my favorites P.Y.T. and Human Nature). The title track Thriller has that funky riff with the accented hand claps punctuating every fourth beat, this is my absolute favorite groove from Jackson. I would imagine loving the song even without the epic video, but the two are so intertwined in my brain, I could never separate the two. I can still appreciate the clever lyrics and vocals from Michael even without the video aid, but I'm not so sure about the Vincent Price poem at the end. I was 13 years old when the album Thriller went big, but because I was into heavy metal at the time, I couldn't really discuss Michael Jackson music with the circles I hung with. Yet, with something like Beat It, a Pop song that's full of rock, comes out and the metalheads end up talking about MJ anyway, even if it's just because of Eddie Van Halen's awesome guitar solo. It's really something to appreciate, not only the way Michael Jackson music transcended cliques and genre (much in the same way The Beatles had done), but also in the seemingly simplistic way his music crossed over into these different areas of music.

I love when you have a 'greatest hits' album like this, something to study and contemplate as you listen to the different eras in Michael Jackson's career. When you listen to the songs from his Off the Wall album like Rock With You and Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, it's a totally different Michael. These songs originally released in 1979 surely have that 70's disco feel. It makes the songs stand out because they seem to have a more familiar and accessible feel. He followed the 70s formula of funky Family Stone style guitars accented by orchestral strings over an infectious Latin beat. Although he still invented great timeless music from this era, you just all the more appreciate the fact that MJ had to reinvent his sound three years later when Thriller was released, and simultaneously created a new form of accessibility and familiarity.

To my ears, a song like Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, (which was the first song off of Thriller) serves as the hybrid of both eras Off the Wall and Thriller. I always go back and forth as to what my favorite MJ song is, and this energetic track always makes the list. For me the hook of the song is the relentless answering backing vocals and the building up to amazing chant of ♫”mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-kos-sa”♫, which incidentally was lifted from an old 70s disco song called Soul Makoosa.

Not all the songs on this CD are great; some of them aren’t even good. She’s Out of My Life is my least favorite here. This ballad is sappy and syrupy, and that’s OK, - it’s MJ’s vocal that I can’t get passed. ♫”She’s out of my li-ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ff” ♫ gets more annoying with each listen. The duet with Paul McCartney The Girl is Mine is a close second with the unashamedly corny banter between the two legends. Yet, I have to appreciate the thought that went into the songwriting by Michael Jackson, because it is so suited to McCartney’s singing and musical style. I would bet that Jackson had written the song with McCartney in mind, perhaps reciprocating for Jackson covering McCartney’s 1977 song Girlfriend on his Off the Wall album.

And yet, Michael Jackson lives on past an album like Thriller by releasing two more huge albums Bad and Dangerous. The Way You Make Me Feel is another one when I just can't decide if it's my favorite Jackson song. Like Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', again Jackson pushes the backing vocals to the fore as they answer just about every lyric he sings. Remember the Time is another gem, and one where Michael Jackson's vocal feels more passionate than ever.

Although I don't like every song on this CD, I still appreciate the well-balanced track listing. It has a nice and easy flow to it as the ballads contrast the dance numbers. Now the rumor is that the songs that Michael Jackson has been recording since 2006 are finally ready to be released this year (2008), and I for one couldn't be happier. With the current state of affairs within the present music business, a new CD full of new Michael Jackson songs would regenerate the biz, and bring new life to our dull and stagnant radio waves. The question is, 'is the world ready for a 50 year-old Michael Jackson?' I say, 'Why the heck not'.


Rating: 4 1/2 stars



the songs:
1. Billie Jean
2. The Way You Make Me Feel
3. Black or White
4. Rock With You
5. She's Out of My Life
6. Bad
7. I Just Can't Stop Loving You
8. Man in the Mirror
9. Thriller
10. Beat It
11. The Girl is Mine
12. Remember the Time
13. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
14. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
15. Heal the World