I tend to
reliably-repetitively-compulsively-unwaveringly-irresistibly (take your pick,
just don't choose "monotonously" because monotonous it's not) go through my
"MJForever" playlist when I'm driving my car. I start at the top of Michael's
straight up adult solo officially released work. First song is Wanna Be
Startin' Somethin', and since I added the posthumous album Michael, the last on
is Much Too Soon. Don't ask me why I have to listen to that pure unadulterated
lineup again and again--I just do, as I must also watch TII...though one reason
may be just the fascination of the evolution Michael went through, as well as
the constancy he always had--musically expressed in many variations. There is
also the emotional journey that goes with the music--you guys have talked about
it. Someone here might have already said, and I know I have believed, that as I
go along I am actually feeling Michael's emotion go through me like a powerful
ripple--what he felt, I feel as an echo or a reverberation. It's like he left
it behind and you can tap into it. It's definitely not always comfortable, and
as I always say, I have to brace myself for the emotional content of certain
songs, and in the case of History--it's the entire album. That album....you
know it's where he really starts to protest...there's not a regular feel-good or
love song on that whole thing--if you don't feel intensely to the point of
discomfort, I think you're missing something. You're not really listening, you
are not allowing it to hurt you. Why do I always think of John the Baptist
crying out in the wilderness? I don't know, but I do! Whereas OTW is pure
young studly gorgeous sensual joy easing in on you-- exciting you with its
magic.
After my listen to that playlist over the past week, today I decided to go
back for Chris's remixes--the ones she has sent. They are...well there really
is only one way to put it--they are FAS. Not as in Franci, though she can now
adopt that and say that's what she means by FAS, but what I mean is:
Fucking Awesome Stuff. I really like the things some of these remixers thought
of or decided to highlight that help me to hear differently too. Black Or
White with Sympathy For The Devil. Listen to Mick's yowls and "NO!" after
McCauley says no to his Dad. Michael does not need the musical accompaniment to
share the beautiful melody of B Or W over the SFTD tune. And Give In To Me
mashed up with Another Day? MORE FAS. Chris, you have got the ear I trust for
the remix action, baby! Nothing vapid or pointless. Thank you.
Welp, those were my random thoughts, or should I say, my feelings? It's
pure spirit!
