rwp@hogpc.UUCP (R.PAUL) (04/20/84)
[My favorite keyboardist is ME! :-) ]
I second the request to stop this name-dropping crap. I really hate
compiling lists and reading them (or "n-ing" them in many cases).
How about some productive discussion? (On the other hand, is no
discussion at all, for lack of productive discussion, better than
all the hot-air discussion that's been going on lately?)
As to the Michael Jackson question ("Why in the world does ANYONE listen
to Michael Jackson, and like it? Is it because you like the voice? The
music? The popularity? WHAT??"), I am not a Michael Jackson fan --
I think the way he acts, with the sunglasses and "the girls in the
balcony" and all, is rather obnoxious -- but I do like his albums.
Why? (I've asked my psychiatrist this many times. :-) ) I'm not par-
ticularly fond of his voice. I don't dislike it, but I've heard far
better. I'm not all that fond of the lyrics in most cases. What
I do like is the basic feel of the music and the arrangements,
perhaps especially the arrangements.
While super arrangements cannot make just anyone the megastar Michael
Jackson has become, they can do wonders for someone who has a fair
amount of talent and a huge amount of showmanship. The latter is the
area in which Michael Jackson really excels. I am not referring only
to his dancing, but also to the way he sings the songs. Add that to
superb arrangements from Quincy Jones, whom I consider unbeatable as
a pop arranger, and you've got the smash album that Thriller has
become.
Of course, the rest of the superstardom has really sprung from Michael's
screen presence and dancing abilities on MTV. MTV happened to come
along at just the right time to catapult Michael Jackson to the top
of popular music.
Rick "Why can't I be thin, able to dance, and good-looking?" Paul
AT&T Information Systems Labs
Lincroft, New Jersey
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