Thriller 25th Anniversary Album from Michael Jackson

I've just read a story at Fox News regarding new material from Michael.

It gives rise to the possibility that Michel isn't planning to do an album of new material at all. The article mentions all the names of current music stars we have heard of lately, including Will I AM, Kanye West, Akon, but not as regards working on new music, insteading remixing old Thriller tracks, for a 25th Anniversary Edition of Thriller.

The album may have new tracks, however these tracks are likely to be old tracks thought not good enough to make the original album. Bruce Swedien is quoted as mentioning a killer called "Don’t Be Messin’ Around" a likely addition.

It also states Michael has no interest in performing or touring, saying that he feels he's done that.

I have no idea if there is any truth to the above news. However, it wouldn't surprise me if it's all true. I do wonder why Michael doesn't perform at all at the events he goes to, he doesnt sing a note (barring the WMA 2006, remember what that caused). If he does a new album of new material is he going to want to promote it? Does he even like going out in public anymore than he has to? Earlier this year he was ill when shipped over to London to make an appearance for a mega rich businessman from the Middle East. He's appearance barely lasted.

There's no doubt he could counjour up publicity one way or another to promote an album and its quite possible that publicity would boost the sales of old classics (or the newer remixes), rather than sell any new music.

Michael ordered to pay $175,000 by U.S judge

Michael Jackson has been ordered to pay $175,000 in overdue fees to a U.S law firm for services they provided during his 2005 court case.

This is on top of $256,000 that Michael was ordered to pay earlier this year in July 2007, bringing the total now ordered to pay to just over $430,000.

Michael's financial matters continue to make the news more than his music and entertainment news.

Michael's letter to Fans

Michael Jackson this week released a letter to his fans via various fan clubs:


Here's how it read:

TO MY FANS AROUND THE WORLD:

I would like to thank you for the beautiful cards, photographs, messages, videos, and gifts, sent to me on my birthday.

I was overwhelmed by your kindness.

Your continued love and support means so much to me. I really love and appreciate you all... from the bottom of my heart.

I've been really busy lately. Hopefully, you've all seen the results of my recent photo shoot with L'Uomo Vogue.

Soon, I will be sharing exciting and surprising news with you from my other efforts.

Please know again, that I love and appreciate each and every one of you, and send to you my heartfelt thanks and warm wishes".

Sincerely,

Michael Jackson

Michael not Signed up to X - Factor

Apparently according to posters in a couple of MJ forums, Michael's spokesperson Raymone K. Bain has denied reports that Michael will be part of the X-Factor.

I'm not surprised in the slightest seeings as it was an "insider" who leaked the story he had signed. I'm pretty sure if he had then there would have been alot more secrecy around it and a big build up.

Anyway, I'm not to sure what Simon Cowells take on Michael is, I'm pretty sure he panned Michaels last album Invincible.

They do get big A-list stars on these shows so I don't think it would be beneath Michael to appear, plus its huge publicity here in the UK.

Michael Jackson to appear on X factor???

I have heard reports today and over the weekend that Michael Jackson has supposedly signed up to X Factor, the TV talent finding show, a date of December 1st was mentioned.

I have no idea if its true and it seems a bit out the blue if it is. Earlier this year there were rumours Michael would make an appearance on American Idol, but they turned out to be false. That came about because there was alot of hype about amazing superstar guests.

One thing I do notice about X - Factor is that in many recent episodes, of which all so far have been auditions, they play a Michael Jackson songs. This Sunday they played one of my favourites, You Are Not Alone.

I have often thought it would be amazing if Michael did something like X Factor or American Idol. It would literally put him into millions of homes. It would be totally awesome if they had a Michael Jackson week and all the contestants sang Michael songs. A whole new generation of youngsters would be introduced to his music.

Personally I'll believe it when I've heard it confirmed from one of Michael's spokesman.

Michael's Advice to Donny Osmond

I caught the end of a TV programme this week featuring Donny Osmond, he was being interviewed by Piers Morgan
on "You Can't Fire Me, I'm Famous".

It was quite interesting how Donny and Michael's careers had run so parallel in the early 1970's but then took vastly different directions after a few years.

Both were child singing stars, both as solo artists and with there brothers and then went to star on TV shows, Michael most notably with his brothers in the Jackson's CBS TV Specials and Donny with his sister in Donny and Marie.

However Michael continued to have great hits and Donny's career took a huge nose dive, hitting an altime low when his Broadway show was cancelled after the first night after it recieved such bad critism, mostly of Donny himself. After that couldn't get a record deal or anything.

Donny stated how around 1979 he spoke to Michael and asked him, how does he get hit single and back in the charts. Obviously Michael at this time had released the hugely successful "Off the Wall" album. Michael told Donny to "change your name".

May seem a crazy and an extreme comment. Of course Donny didn't change his name.

However, interestingly it wasn't until 1988 or 1989 that Donny had another hit record. The interesting aspect was that radio stations were playing it without telling the listeners who it was singing. The single "Soldier of Love" was highly requested and eventually Donny was bought on the radio to announce after alot of speculation that he was the singer. After that the single and follow ups become huge hits and he continued to have more success in his career.

It was just interesting how Michael was spot on and proved right that for Donny to have a hit he would have to overcome the stigma of his name.

Also interesting was when Donny was asked whether he would have preferred a normal life or the tough life he had as an entertainer. I missed the beginning of the show so I won't speculate as to why and how tough it was. However, Donny, very emotionally said he would have preferred the non famous lifestyle. Just goes to show that the life of a young star was very tough, the very same lifestyle Michael also had at such a young age. Something the vast majority of us may never even come close to understanding.

New Amazon aStore

I decided today it was about time I spruced up the store pages of the site, which as it turns out were full of alot of products no longer stocked by the stores I was linking to.

Instead of going through the time consuming process of adding individual Amazon links I went for the fairly new Amazon aStore.

Basically it creates all the store pages for you. For example I decided I wanted a page on Michael Jackson Posters, so I just search there products, clicked "Add" for each poster I wanted and its imported into the store. I then did the same for a number of other categories.

Then all I had to do was place the link in an iframe and the store page shows up on my own webpage, all nicely designed by myself to fit in with my colour scheme. Amazon itself doesn't actually let you know you can link to the individual categories you create, so I was pleased when I tried it that it worked and looks greats. Each of my individual pages shows the right products.
No doubt if I didn't have individual store pages created I would just link to the new astore index.

I also added a large block of store adds at the base of the index page. These are set to open the store in a new window and if anything looks better this way than my actual own store pages with the iframe.

Whether they increase salesonly time will tell. I'll be suure to keep you informed.