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Featuring Michael Jackson
In this slim new collection, critically-acclaimed author and journalist Joseph Vogel gathers together some of his most informative and provocative pieces on the late King of Pop. Featuring ten articles and a previously unpublished bonus chapter, this fascinating mosaic explores a wide range of subject matter: from the impact of race on Jackson’s career, to the ways he challenged and expanded the definition of “pop,” to behind-the-scenes histories of his songs. Based on original research and personal interviews with the singer’s close collaborators, Featuring Michael Jackson is a book no fan or music history buff will want to be without.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
89 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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About the author
Joseph Vogel
48 books48 followersJOSEPH VOGEL is the author of several books, including Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson (Sterling), James Baldwin and the 1980s: Witnessing the Reagan Era (University of Illinois Press) and This Thing Called Life: Prince, Race, Sex, Religion, and Music (Bloomsbury Academic). His work has appeared in the The Atlantic, The Guardian, Slate, The Huffington Post, Forbes, Boston Review, and PopMatters. He is an Assistant Professor at Merrimack College in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 26, 2017
Hubieron varias anécdotas que no conocía e historias contadas medio en lenguaje cronicado que me encantaron. Kudos por tomar los diferentes puntos de la vida de Michael a la hora de tratar los distintos momentos de su vida y no caer en lo amarillista; lo respetó, más que nada, y por eso se merece que lo lean más.
August 29, 2012
First off let me say that I am thrilled that Joe Vogel's articles on Michael Jackson's artistic and cultural legacy have been collected together in this slim little volume "Featuring Michael Jackson". Vogel's approach will, I trust, influence others in taking seriously the King of Pop's contribution to both the performing arts and social change.
For me this is important not just in perpetuating Michael's legacy as an artist, but also in promoting understanding of the broader influence Michael has had on many fans the world over, myself included. Whether it be undertaking MJ pilgrimages around the globe or making contributions to charitable organisations in his memory, or just getting together with other friends to celebrate his music and films - our lives have been irrevocably changed and our horizons expanded because of our "obsession" for MJ. As with his life, work and unique persona, we, his fans, know no bounds of race, creed, age, sexuality or nationality.
Being a fan is sometimes an emotionally painful experience - because of the prevalence of lies/distortions/misconceptions and outright fabrications that some critics and exploitative tabloid media (and even some former MJ associates) project about Michael. But the exquisite joy of hearing a new song on a release like the "Michael" album, a good remix of an old favourite or raw demo, or listening to any of his albums; of watching a concert DVD, any of his sublime short films, or rehearsing in "This Is It"; of attending a glittering opening night of his Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas or elsewhere; or just reading his poems and essays in "Dancing the Dream" - ALL make the emotional roller coaster well worth riding.
My thanks to Joe Vogel for his informed and articulate articles and books (specifically "Michael Jackson: Man in the Music" and "Earth Song") for everything he is doing to change shallow misconceptions of Michael. I trust there will be many more insightful articles like those collected in "Featuring Michael Jackson" in the future.
For me this is important not just in perpetuating Michael's legacy as an artist, but also in promoting understanding of the broader influence Michael has had on many fans the world over, myself included. Whether it be undertaking MJ pilgrimages around the globe or making contributions to charitable organisations in his memory, or just getting together with other friends to celebrate his music and films - our lives have been irrevocably changed and our horizons expanded because of our "obsession" for MJ. As with his life, work and unique persona, we, his fans, know no bounds of race, creed, age, sexuality or nationality.
Being a fan is sometimes an emotionally painful experience - because of the prevalence of lies/distortions/misconceptions and outright fabrications that some critics and exploitative tabloid media (and even some former MJ associates) project about Michael. But the exquisite joy of hearing a new song on a release like the "Michael" album, a good remix of an old favourite or raw demo, or listening to any of his albums; of watching a concert DVD, any of his sublime short films, or rehearsing in "This Is It"; of attending a glittering opening night of his Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas or elsewhere; or just reading his poems and essays in "Dancing the Dream" - ALL make the emotional roller coaster well worth riding.
My thanks to Joe Vogel for his informed and articulate articles and books (specifically "Michael Jackson: Man in the Music" and "Earth Song") for everything he is doing to change shallow misconceptions of Michael. I trust there will be many more insightful articles like those collected in "Featuring Michael Jackson" in the future.
October 30, 2012
Joseph Vogel's Featuring Michael Jackson is a collection of 10 essays (plus a bonus chapter) on Michael Jackson. These essays supplement Vogel's
Man in the Music
in exploring Michael Jackson's creative input away from the tabloid image that has dominated public consciousness for so long.
It's probably important to point out that the essays have all been previously published. I had read some before, but even so, it's great to have these collected together to read and re-read at my leisure. The topics are diverse, but can be broadly said to focus on the genius of Michael Jackson. Secondary to this is Vogel's exploration of what he terms as the "cultural abuse" of Jackson.
Fans will appreciate Vogel, for not only redeeming (or perhaps "rescuing" is the better word?) Jackson's work from the tabloid junk, but also focusing on some of the little known gems in Jackson's discography (such as Dangerous' 'Gone Too Soon', or the tracks from Blood on the Dance Floor). The comparison between Nirvana's Nevermind and Jackson's Dangerous makes for surprising and fascinating reading.
Featuring Michael Jackson is a great, well-written resource on Michael Jackson's music, allowing for new insight on Jackson's creative life and work ethic. I would recommend this for Michael Jackson fans, and those interested in the music, not the private life, of one of the world's greatest musicians.
It's probably important to point out that the essays have all been previously published. I had read some before, but even so, it's great to have these collected together to read and re-read at my leisure. The topics are diverse, but can be broadly said to focus on the genius of Michael Jackson. Secondary to this is Vogel's exploration of what he terms as the "cultural abuse" of Jackson.
Fans will appreciate Vogel, for not only redeeming (or perhaps "rescuing" is the better word?) Jackson's work from the tabloid junk, but also focusing on some of the little known gems in Jackson's discography (such as Dangerous' 'Gone Too Soon', or the tracks from Blood on the Dance Floor). The comparison between Nirvana's Nevermind and Jackson's Dangerous makes for surprising and fascinating reading.
Featuring Michael Jackson is a great, well-written resource on Michael Jackson's music, allowing for new insight on Jackson's creative life and work ethic. I would recommend this for Michael Jackson fans, and those interested in the music, not the private life, of one of the world's greatest musicians.
November 8, 2012
Un excelente libro que me ha parecido muy interesante, muy bien documentado y muy ameno de leer.
El formato de recopilación de artículos hace que los temas tratados puedan ser diversos y tantos como artículos publicados, en este caso 11. A la vez, su moderada extensión hace que la lectura de los mismos no sea demasiado extensa ni cansina.
Se nota que el autor es un experto conocedor de Michael Jackson, que sus análisis van más allá de los tópicos sensacionalistas habituales y que es respetuoso con el artista. Unas visiones y unow datos nuevos, buen expuestos y documentados, que hacen de este libro un libro especial entre la multitud de libros publicados sobre el cantante.
Lo recomiendo fervientemente.
El formato de recopilación de artículos hace que los temas tratados puedan ser diversos y tantos como artículos publicados, en este caso 11. A la vez, su moderada extensión hace que la lectura de los mismos no sea demasiado extensa ni cansina.
Se nota que el autor es un experto conocedor de Michael Jackson, que sus análisis van más allá de los tópicos sensacionalistas habituales y que es respetuoso con el artista. Unas visiones y unow datos nuevos, buen expuestos y documentados, que hacen de este libro un libro especial entre la multitud de libros publicados sobre el cantante.
Lo recomiendo fervientemente.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews