When I’m with you I’m in the light where I cannot be found,

It’s as though I’m standing in a place called hallowed ground.

Speechless.  Speechless

That’s how you make me feel.

MICHAEL JACKSONhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6VCEY2ExL8

There is a spirit that lives in the hearts of those who refuse to see an absence of light in the world.  Refusing to accept stumbling, narrow-minded cynicism as a constant companion, whose criticism is bound-up in the dark, those seeking the light are set free…set free to discover second chances to live deliberately.  I am often reminded of Michael turning over the beetles that had fallen on their backs saying that everyone deserves a second chance.  Second chances offer opportunity for change, opportunity to rediscover personal gifts and put them to use deliberately, seeking to heal the world and make it a better place for those who can give, and, those who cannot.  Within this spirit lives the ability to forgive.  During his History World Tour, Michael created powerful drama while performing EARTH SONG.  After bringing the audience to a collective passion, a tank was brought onto the stage with an armed soldier emerging from it.  Michael chose to bring this intense scene to an end with the soldier putting down his weapon, falling to his knees, weeping.  A child walked to him, reaching out with a small hand and a flower.  FORGIVENESS and setting us free…a second chance.  Without the newness of that renewed light, all would be lost, we would die.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buCdGwH2Efc

Michael profoundly believed in people.  He profoundly believed that the message delivered by music has the power to heal.  He believed in the collective power for change.  He believed in unconditional love.  He believed in forgiveness.

“Michael Jackson sometimes compared the reciprocal energy of a performance to a Frisbee…’you hold it, you touch it, and you whip it back.’  Audiences, he believed, were more than passive spectators; they were a vibrant community, composed of all ages, races, religions, and cultures, standing shoulder to shoulder, temporarily bound up in the collective spell of his music, imagining the world anew.  ‘You can take them anywhere,’ he effused.  This was his gift as an artist; the ability to dissolve into the stories, the emotions, the MAGIC of his music-and to take masses of people from all walks of life with him.  He called this creative bond many things over the years; escapism, entertainment, showmanship, art.  But ultimately, for Jackson, it was about sharing and receiving love.”

MAN IN THE MUSIC

Joseph Vogel

2011

This vibrant community continues its journey.  Those of us who PAY MICHAEL FORWARD each and every day do it in layers…each of us using our second chances with our unique gifts.  If the light begins to dim and we begin to feel small, we turn to Michael.  HE IS OUR JOLT.

“Something needs to put a jolt back in the music industry, and the only thing that can do that is the jolt itself, the energy that sparked the imagination of kids (like me) in the first place.”

Will.i.am

Of course, he was referring to Michael Jackson.  We understand.  Michael knew that if you made a great piece of art, people would want it.  “I always want to do music that inspires or influences another generation…I give my all to my work, I want it to just live.”  Michael Jackson

“Jackson was already reluctant to do a project that looked backward.”  The Dangerous Era Joseph Vogel MAN IN THE MUSIC

Michael did not want to repeat himself.  His imaginative visions were unlimited.  At the conclusion of the BAD Era, Michael knew it was time to completely assume every aspect of his art.  “Michael was not angry with Quincy.  He has always had an admiration for him and an immense respect.  But with DANGEROUS, Michael wanted to control the creative process from A to z.  Simply put, he wanted to be his own boss.”  Brad Buxer, Joseph Vogel. 

“The two New York Madison Square Garden concerts sold out within hours.  Nearly the entire entertainment industry came out to witness the ‘big comeback’ and to pay homage. ‘I think that it just shows how hungry everybody is for Michael.’ Kelly Rowland”

MAN IN THE MUSIC

Joseph Vogel

HUNGRY FOR MICHAEL JACKSON.  We must admit, that is currently the hot topic.  Anticipating XSCAPE, the entire world is witnessing MICHAEL FEVER.  Cynicism in the media with critics already narrow-mindedly bound-up by their low-ceiling imaginations and myth agendas…debates among Fans…to be sure, the world knows an album is due out in May.  For me, I, happily, will listen to the album and decide for myself.  I remember the discussion of the release of BAD as I watched the BAD 25 Documentary.  Critics were poised then to tear it apart.  So, what else is new?  “Critics think they know the way…but, they do not know how to drive the car!”  I LOVE THAT.

So, what do we know for sure?  TELL US, MICHAEL!

I love great music.  It has no color, it has no boundaries.

Music is tapestry.  It’s different layers, it’s weaving in and out, and if you look at it in layers, you understand it better.

I believe in perfection and I try to create that in everything I do.  We never seem to totally get there, but I believe in perfect execution.  And when we don’t get at least 99.9 percent, I get really upset.

I think it’s going to be totally different than what I did before.  The idea is to take it a step forward and to innovate or else why am I doing it?  I don’t want to be just another can in the assembly line.

I’m writing music, and ideas are coming to me and I can’t turn them off.

I think I haven’t scratched the surface yet of what my real purpose is for being here.  I’m committed to my art.  I believe that all art has as its ultimate goal the union between the material and the spiritual, the human and the divine.  And I believe that that is the very reason for the existence of art and what I do.  And I feel fortunate in being that instrument through which music flows.

I’m never satisfied with anything.  After I’ve cut a track, I’ll come home and say ‘oh no, that’s not right,’ and you just go back and back and back.

“According to Rolling Stone, Michael had 62 songs written and wanted to release 33 of them as a triple album.”  BAD Album 1987.  The hunger for Michael will not end.  We will enjoy his enormous catalog, his breath-taking performances, his wearable art…the powerful glow of his light will last forever.  XSCAPE will be dissected and debated, as all posthumous works of art are…but, I think many will agree, that Michael lives inside it.  AND, WE ARE HUNGRY FOR MICHAEL.

Thank you, Vibrant Community, for the individual glow of many colors which collectively burn as one.  I love you.

Jude

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