Michael Jackson: Songs & Stories From The Vault

by Damien Shields, Matt Forger (Foreword)

These are the stories about the real Michael Jackson; the musical genius at work. As told by the songwriters, producers, musicians, and technicians who worked intimately with him in the studio, and featuring a touching foreword written by his longtime engineer, Matt Forger. Xscape Origins: The Songs and Stories Michael Jackson Left Behind takes you inside the recording studio, delivering captivating fly-on-the-wall insights into the creative process of the greatest artistic visionary the world has ever known. "Damien Shields has taken on the task of researching some of these songs and the stories behind their creation, and for that I thank him," says Forger. "There are so many lessons to learn from a creative genius like Michael Jackson. Just as Michael said 'study the greats and become greater, ' we are now left to study how he, a poor child from a Midwestern American town, rose to be the most popular entertainer on the planet. These stories are a detailed examination of how some of the songs unreleased in his lifetime came into existence. It is important to document the process and tell the story, not only because it s history, but also to pay tribute to a person who loved storytelling and would want the story to be told." For the first time--featuring exclusive never-before-told stories--Xscape Origins puts all the pieces of the puzzle together to reveal how the King of Pop and his collaborators conceived and developed the original versions of "Love Never Felt So Good," "She Was Loving Me" (a.k.a. "Chicago"), "Loving You," "A Place With no Name," "Slave To The Rhythm," "Do You Know Where Your Children Are," "Blue Gangsta," and "Xscape" (a.k.a. "Escape"). Compiled from exclusive interviews with: Michael Prince(Engineer, 1995-2009) Matt Forger (Engineer, 1982-1997) John Barnes (Composer, arranger, musician, 1983-2009) Cory Rooney (Songwriter, producer, A&R, 1999-2001) Fred Jerkins III (Songwrtier, producer, 1999-2001) Brian Vibberts (Engineer, 1994-1999) CJ deVillar (Engineer, musician, 1998-1999). And exclusive first-hand insights from: Rodney Jerkins (Producer, songwriter, 1999-2001) Brad Buxer (Composer, arranger, musical director, 1989-2008) Kathy Wakefield (Songwriter, 1973-1984) Dr. Freeze (Songwriter, producer, 1998-2001).

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

172 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2015

Reviews

[NON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xscape Origins is a superb analysis of the posthumous album, Xscape. However, what makes this book special is how it shows you the master, Michael Joseph Jackson, at work and clearly demonstrates his creative genius. I, for one, was devastated with the remixed versions of Jackson's work for a variety for reasons (I mean, have you heard the hideous “remixed” version of “A Place with No Name”? Good lord!) but I highly appreciated the original versions, and I confess that I listened to them on repeat for a long, long time.

Damien Shields's work is a great companion to the album (original versions) as Shield takes us on a splendid journey into how each track was created, and let us into Jackson's original concept told by his close collaborators (producers, technicians, songwriters, and musicians) that were there working with the master himself.

“It's like I graduated from the University of Michael Jackson. There are no words [powerful] enough to describe what I learned and [experienced during my time with] the King of Pop.” -Dr. Freeze (p. 101)

The brightest highlight of the book is that unlike many other books about Jackson's genius, Shield's focuses extensively on Michael's vocal mastery with anecdotes and vital information that largely covers his unique vocal delivery.

“The pyrotechnics that came out of this man was ridiculous. And it came out like that all the fucking time. It's powerful. It's magic. It was like he was channeling when he would sing. It was scary sometimes. He would actually grab the microphone with his hands and roar and just get into it. Then the part would be over and he would let go of the mic and he would just sit there and simmer. And I would wait sometimes up to twenty or thirty seconds until he got his composure back. He was gathering up energy, widening up his body and then, BAM! Letting it loose.” -deVillar (p. 56)

Xscape Origins is an essential read for historical value and because of its musical value as well, which makes it stimulating for both MJ fans and music admirers in general. Starting from the glowing artwork by Stephen Ward and James Alay, and the heartfelt foreword by Matt Forger, to the impressive work of Shield in interviewing the incredible team behind the music that Jackson left behind, to the talented team of collaborators (Michael Prince, Matt Forger, Cj DeVillar, Brian Vibberts, Brad Buxer, Dr. Freeze, and a few more) that worked intimately with Jackson and contributed in the book to showcase Michael's creative process inside the recording studio.

“He recorded that vocal, top to bottom, the entire song, twenty-four times. Not once and then take a break, or once and then fix the bad note. No. He sang the song from top to bottom twenty-four times without a bathroom break, without a water break, without a ‘Give me a moment.’” -LA Reid (p. 67)

This book consists of eight chapters, in which each one elaborates about each of the album's (original) tracks. Do not hesitate to grab this book due to its vitality in documenting the tracks that Jackson left with many pensive and humorous stories that will elevate the reader's experience with the songs.

I consider Xscape Origins another wonderful addition to my Michael Jackson's collection as it presents Jackson as the musical genius he truly was, his mastery in the studio, and a teacher. Unputdownable.

Books that presents Michael Jackson's genius:
1- Making Michael: Inside the Career of Michael Jackson
2- Michael Jackson's Dangerous
3- The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife
4- Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson
5- Earth Song: Inside Michael Jackson's Magnum Opus

Another books by people who worked closely with Michael Jackson:
1- Michael Jackson: In Search of Neverland by Gloria Rhoads Berlin
2- Maker of Dreams: Creating Michael Jackson's "Neverland Valley Park" by Robert E. "Rob" Swinson
3- In the Studio with Michael Jackson by Bruce Swedien
4- The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson by Michael Bush
5- Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days
6- Michael Jackson: Making History by Adrian Grant

[Kerry Hennigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you come to a book tentatively because you fear a clash of ideology on the subject matter with the author. This was what held me back from reading any more than a free sample of Damien Shields' book "Xscape Origins" before today.

Having recently purchased the complete Kindle Edition, I read it cover to cover tonight, fascinated afresh by the firsthand reports of people who worked with Michael Jackson on the songs that were released posthumously on the 2014 release "Xscape".

Shields draws largely on his personal interviews with the song writers, producers and engineers who worked with Jackson on the tracks released on the album, and also on the documentary footage released along with the album. These are tracks that span almost the entirety of Jackson's adult solo career - from the early "Love Never Felt So Good" to some of the last material the King of Pop worked on before his untimely death.

Between the first-hand accounts of Jackson's co-creators on these songs, Shields inserts relevant comments made by Jackson on his process and his whole approach to his craft extracted from interviews given by Jackson over the years. It ensures a well-rounded view of what others have observed and experienced in the studio with MJ.

My favourite chapter deals with the song I love most from the Xscape album, namely the track "A Place with No Name" in which the insight of Michael's colleagues rings the most excited and the most poignant.

Learning about these songs and the state they were last left in gives rise to the inevitable questions about the versions we hear on the album - some of which had been superseded by later versions after Michael himself or members of his respective recording team had tinkered further with them.

The primary question is - why weren't we given those later versions of the songs in question? Why do a retrograde manoeuvre and release an earlier version? Why think you know better than Michael Jackson did about his own recordings? Perhaps someday LA Reid, who oversaw the release of Xscape, will explain.

Damien Shield's book focuses on the songs themselves rather than the pros and cons of original vs. the 'updated' versions (only one of which I really prefer to the originals on the extended edition of the album). Nor does it get into the debate on the appropriateness of 'finishing' and releasing the material of a perfectionist like Jackson, who could, and did in the case of some of these songs, take years to work up a track to his satisfaction, and wouldn't let it be released until he was happy with it.

I was relieved the book did not get mired in these arguments, because then my initial fears might have been realised. Yet I have some sympathy with those who hold to the integrity of Jackson's vision for his songs; however, I do want to hear them. But my dislike for the "updated" productions of most of the tracks on the single disc version of the album makes me wish even more that they released them as Michael had left them. At least then we could be assured of hearing it as he last heard it. With his passing, we can do no better than that.

In summary, I welcome the addition of Damien Shield's "Xscape Origins" to my collection of MJ research materials. While it doesn't have the direct transcript style of Brice Najar's "Let's Make HIStory" it does contain a similar wealth of material, with the aforementioned quotes from Jackson strategically inserted, to provide a smooth and highly readable narrative.

As with any book of this nature that attempts to honestly reflect Jackson's creative process (without striving for controversy or sensationalism) the impact on the reader is likely to be one of devastation that the artist did not live to complete his art to his own high standards. If we like the songs now, imagine how much more we might have liked them when Michael had deemed them "finished."

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Amazing book on how Michaels music is made. It is like being a fly on the wall at how these songs came to be. I love the stories in it and I love reading about Michael as an artist and as a person. He wanted to be the greatest entertainer of all time and that's what he did. If you to learn about Michael's music and the history behind it please give this book a read. I highly recommend.

[Casey Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book and essential reading, not just for Michael Jackson fans but for music lovers in general. A fantastic insight into MJ's creative process, told by the people who were there, and expertly curated by Damien Shields. If you're considering buying this book, stop thinking and just do it! You won't regret it. A must read!