This Is It: A full-throttle vocal from Michael Jackson

MTV, in an article reviewing Michael’s vocal style in his songs—and especially in This Is It—has published the text below. Articles like this are rarely written because, as the author of this piece admits, Michael’s vocal power as one aspect of his uniquely unmatched artistry has always been overshadowed by the power of his dancing and performances.

Michael Jackson was a full-fledged singer.

I say this for one reason: for a casual fan, it may not be obvious. Either because so many things have always come first—his dancing, his style, his pride and his achievements—or because he rarely said anything louder than a whisper. Or even because he often “seasoned” his tracks with vocal ticks, like his soft “hey-hey” sounds.

Jackson is one of the most overlooked vocalists in history, whose singing power has been priced below its true value. And that’s a shame, because his voice was astonishing. He could reach both the heights (the final verse of Off the Wall) and the depths (Childhood). It was technical work—but it was definitely performed by a human being. A breath full of madness and overflowing, emptying anger (Man in the Mirror), and elsewhere full of calm, restrained tenderness and compassion (She’s Out of My Life). His throat was a finely tuned instrument that, when opened, revealed all the suffering, frustrations, and pleasures of Jackson’s life. It was a window into the soul of this man. It could stop you instantly—and raise the hair on the back of your neck.

But don’t just take my word for it. Listen to This Is It. Because you’ll understand my point even more: Jackson was a vocal powerhouse. Whatever the origin of this song may be—it's said it was written in the 1980s—at a time between Off the Wall and Thriller, and during the period from mid to late in that decade, between the recording of Bad and Dangerous. But in truth, none of these details matter.

This Is It is a top-tier showcase of Jackson’s amazing sound. And that means the best way to experience what I’m saying—and truly the best way to pay tribute to this man and his music—is to turn up the volume of your speakers, lean back in your seat, and just listen.

Ignore the gentle jazz-like hum and the guitar that bring to mind “I Can’t Help It” from Off the Wall. Don’t let the noise and hype around the song’s release, or the tragedy of Michael’s death, get into your head. Just focus on Michael’s vocals.

How, at the beginning of the song, he counts with a boyish voice—“one, two, three, four”—how his breathless phrasing slides effortlessly from one verse to the next. And that sharp, weak-but-heavy sound—along with the loud harmonies—are all present in this song, and they’re all incredible.

In many ways, This Is It may be Michael Jackson’s most full-fledged vocal. And while it isn’t his best or most memorable work, it can be the most expressive. It’s a fusion of his early years full of enthusiasm and the long-awaited periods that came after. And it shines a light on the best aspects of both times: his voice.

Because, just so you know, Michael Jackson was a full-fledged singer.

Source: eMJey / MTV