Michael Jackson – HIStory - Past, Present And Future - Book I

One of the best releases of Michael Jackson, the singles are amazing, my favourite track is D.S., the bass in all of the tracks is amazing, especially the second disc.

BEWARE!

There are numerous sellers from Brazil and selling copies of HIStory - Past, Present and Future 3LP that is almost 1-1 identical to the original 1995 copy. The only difference being that the sticker doesn't mention the 52 page booklet but it is almost identical to original copies. Prices vary from 50-60 euros. If it's too good to be true, then it probably is.

This record reflects the most difficult period in Michael Jackson’s life, that is the time after the February 1993 child abuse accusation, marred by the mass media ravaging attacks, a public image annihilating criminal investigation, the ensuing burial in painkillers, a totally wrong and backfiring marriage of cover, all of which led the once most powerful and most influential entertainment emperor in the world to be forcefully and deviously traced to a disgraceful freak. MJ answered to all that with RAGE. The record that he cut between 1994 and 1995, after the financial settlement of the scandal and after the investigation was closed because of the accs’ withdrawal, pleads all his hard feelings about the bad press cabal (“Scream”, “Tabloid junkie”), the greed of the only true manipulators in the end, Evan Chandler - who committed suicide in 2009, after Michael’s murder - and LaToya’s then husband Jack Gordon (“Money”), but also larger, universal injustices (“They don’t care ”). However this album is a large mixed bag , as usual for the artist, so those pressured abrasive funk grooves are opposed to grand scale operistic gospel blues (the impressive “Earth song”), touching solitude interludes (“Stranger in Moscow”; “You are not alone”) and, down to the emotional core of the album, the defenceless psychic insight of “Childhood”, where Jackson candidly opens up about his nature, explaining his self and the righteous motifs of his attitude, of which the wolves out there have taken advantage to trap him and profit on his back. The last three tracks appear disted and fairly odd choices, but are the outcome of an eccentric sensitive recluse who tries to exorcise his fears and tribulations lost in his own peculiar fantasy hideaway. The booklet notes by his intimate friend Elizabeth Taylor just say it all: “he is so giving of himself that, at times, he leaves very little to protect that beautiful inner core that is the essence of him…he is … painfully honest - and vulnerable to the point of pain…if he is eccentric it’s because he is larger than life”. 3 stars out of 5.

Album Revolution #5:

I have an confession to make...When "HIStory - Past, Present And Future - Book I" first came out, I wasn't really a fan...In fact, when I reviewed it about 15 years ago, I gave it a horrible review....I mean horrible!!!! I have come a long way since then....

Don't get me wrong, there is filler, but I will get to that later...It was smart to have sort of a hits part with "HIStory Begins"....It has all the classics....I would have included songs like "I Can't help It" and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing), but that's neither here or there...

Now, getting to the "HIStory Continues" part...

It starts off with the mega hit in "Scream", with the Ultimate Collaboration with Super Duper, Super Duper Superstar and Baby Sister "Janet".....She brought her tried and true producers in "Terry Lewis" & "Jimmy Jam", to get with "Mike"....It work!!!! In fact he would work with the "Flight Tyme" brothers on other songs like "2 Bad" and the Title Track...They should have done more in my opinion!!!!!

The next single was the "R. Kelly" produced "You Are Not Alone"....Now I know how people feel about "R. Kelly" these days (trust me I get it!!!), but at least right here, this song was tailor made for "Mike"....

The next 4 songs I use to DOG, but now, not only do I get them, I totally ROCK them!!!!

"They Don't Care ", not only makes you get down with it's outstanding Drums, but the subject matter on how mankind is getting screwed over and over again was perfect....

"Stranger In Moscow" has a haunting melody....It may sound a little spooky, but you can't ignore it....

"Earth Song" also has a haunting melody as well with well thought out lyrics.....

The next one was obvious in "Childhood"....That one right there is where everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, should have paid attention to in dealing with his Legal issues....

There are a couple other songs worth mentioning as well...

"This Time Around" featuring "The Notorious B.I.G." is a hyped up t that's is light and fun...

"D.S." is a song where it sounds like "Mike" has had enough!!!!

Now, I may make some people mad at me with what I am about to say, but "Smile"....Man!!!! I am sorry!!!! I can't stand this song!!!! I think this is the main reason why I wrote the bad review 15 years ago...I guess I get the concept, but to me it was just terrible!!!! I'm sorry guys!!!!

All in all though, I am glad that I adjusted my thinking on this album....It deserves it, because "Mike" was going through way too much in his life at that time, and he chose this album to get it all out!!!!!!

Michael was a talented soul. I miss him every day.

That second disc, man... probably one of my all time favorite MJ albums. It's incredibly dark overall and really reflects the deep turmoil he was being put through at the time. Songs like "Scream", "This Time Around" and "D.S." were some of the rawest, angriest material he's ever put out (on this album at least, "Morphine" from Blood on the Dance Floor was a great example of this too) and I respect him for that. I feel like these kinds of songs expressed a very emotional side of Michael that had never been seen before. Of course, there's also some other great tracks on here like his incredible cover of the Beatles "Come Together" which he performed at the end of the Moonwalker short film. The title track is a masterpiece and I love the mellow, somber atmosphere that "Stranger in Moscow" provokes. Michael Jackson was and always will be an array of genius, talent, and authenticity, both in his music and personality.