Michael Jackson: Full Speed Ahead on Katrina Song

In his first talk with a reporter since the end of his criminal trial, pop superstar Michael Jackson said Saturday he is "moving full speed ahead" on plans to record a song for the benefit of Hurricane Katrina victims and feels that his creative juices are flowing again. In a telephone call to The Associated Press, Jackson said the trial was "the hardest thing I've ever done in my life" and that he and his children were still in Bahrain "resting and recovering" from the ordeal. Jackson said he has been at work on the charity song, tentatively titled, "From the Bottom of My Heart." "I'm constantly working on it," he said. Also on the line was Raymone K. Bain, Jackson's spokeswoman. She said the call would not be a full- fledged interview, and that Jackson just wanted to make contact to express his thanks for what he said was the AP's fair coverage of his trial. Jackson has been staying in Bahrain as the guest of Prince Abdulla, the son of the king of Bahrain. Of his friend Prince Abdulla, he said, "He's the very best, amazing, so kind." Asked about his health, Jackson said, "I'm feeling good." The singer had said during his trial that he was plagued by back problems. Jackson was acquitted of child molestation in June after a five-month trial in Santa Maria, Calif. He has not appeared in public since and has spent much of his time in Bahrain. Jackson wants the charity anthem to follow the success of the 1984 worldwide hit "We Are the World," which he co-wrote to benefit African starvation victims. Bain has said many artists have agreed to join the project, but the lineup hasn't been finalized. Source: Linda Deutsch, AP Special Correspondent/MJJS/eMJey