Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson

Scholars, fans, and even on-the-fence doubters will find Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson by Huffington Post writer Joseph Vogel, not only an enthralling read, but a gateway into a revised perception of one of the most mysterious and massively influential artists of our time. This is definitely not another run of the mill sensationalist work. Vogel skillfully guides the reader through the remarkable chapters of Jackson's professional career, fully capturing the cultural vibe of the `80s and `90s, while analyzing the particularities of Jackson's creative process from inception to aesthetic fulfillment. It seems the author desires to move beyond exclusively "preaching to the choir" of Jackson's loyal fan base, and has an even more expansive and restorative intention in mind. Vogel's narrative unfolds in a unique album-by-album mode, so Jackson's career is revealed through intricately woven stories that are chronologically linked with the creation of his music. This odyssey reminds one of a mythic "hero's journey," as it evokes the visceral emotion of artistic conquest. Throughout the process, Vogel explicates Jackson's music, performance art, cinematic short films, and aesthetic incarnations, as well as exploring Jackson's myriad eclectic influences. The book's success is due, in large part, to a trilogy of strengths the author possesses as an academic scholar and also a writer on popular culture. Vogel manages to fuse a penchant for research with an engaging gift of journalistic storytelling. Rare, however, is the sense of spiritual exegesis he also provides. This literary alchemy gives the reader an entirely fresh and valuable comprehension of Jackson as a culturally transformative artist. Vogel's book also illuminates the voluminous breadth, depth and influence of his artistic oeuvre. The reader experiences firsthand the gentle singer-songwriter's coming of age, his groundbreaking musical prowess, and his emergence as a humanitarian emissary for the disadvantaged and alienated. We are reminded that Jackson (a voracious reader of Emerson) was a transcendental visionary who called for healing the world through compassion, community, and environmental stewardship. The author offers a Joycean sensibility as he paints his archetypal "portrait of the artist as a young man" with a discerning eye. Vogel irrevocably raises the bar for future critical analysis of Jackson's art and cultural import, as he portrays his subject as an artist of stature amidst a constituency of the most influential and prescient artists of all time. One hopes the sincerity of Vogel's efforts will prompt inchoate scholarship on this subject to burgeon. Vogel's personal interviews document the rich and sundry details offered by a plethora of Jackson's musical collaborators, technical producers, and artistic associates. These remembrances add surprise and synchronicity to the more familiar aspects of Jackson's complex life history. Included among the recollections are those of musical giants Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton, Teddy Riley, Bruce Swedien, Rodney Jerkins, Buz Kohan, Brad Buxer and many others. Vogel, a Huffington Post writer on politics and popular culture, is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Rochester where his scholarship focuses on 18th century poets Blake and Wordsworth. Since he emerges out of an academic perspective on the history of literature and the arts, he is able to credibly position Jackson amidst a much broader contextual background than the many apocryphal works by authors who leapt too eagerly onto the greed-bandwagon following the artist's untimely death. It is interesting to note that Vogel began research for this book almost six years ago. This was during a time when Jackson was often treated by publishers and much of the public as a social leper. Vogel wanted to correct what he perceived as a terrible injustice and return the conversation to the genius of Jackson's art and his global transformative cultural import. Vogel later made a conscious choice to refrain from publishing his material immediately following Jackson's death. Hence, his biography includes analysis of Jackson's posthumously released works, as well as reflections on the nature of the artist's ultimate legacy. Vogel's insight and impeccable research do much to relieve the ignominy this artist suffered in life from a rapacious media. Vogel utilizes a Picasso-like construct in his ability to see his subject from multiple angles simultaneously, thereby rendering a multidimensional portrait. Formulaic tabloid stereotyping and long-standing racial binaries are finally exploded and cast aside. Vogel's readers will experience Jackson anew as a fine artist, cultural troubadour, and shamanic performer, because he is perceived through a lens that clarifies instead of mystifies. Perceptive, metaphoric, and humane, Vogel's Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson is certainly the defining biographical work to date regarding this artist. The revelatory nature of Jackson's art, and Jackson's under reported international initiatives for social justice, surely deserve this long over due literary retrospective. The book's stunning photographs make this volume attractive to appreciators of all art genres. It is especially meaningful to note the author has dedicated his book to Jackson's three children. One imagines they will be grateful, for Vogel offers respect and appreciation to the father they loved. Constance Pierce, New York, October 18th, 2011

Michael Jackson said "Who wants mortality? Everyone wants immortality. You want what you create to live be it sculpture or painting or music or composition. Michelangelo said: I know the creator will go but his work survives. That is why to escape death I attempt to bind my soul to my work. That's how I feel. I give it my all. Because I want it to just live and give it all that I have." Michael Jackson has succeeded in achieving his goal! Although the fabulously talented, creative King of Pop Michael Jackson is no longer with us, his spirit remains alive through his beautiful and unique music, inspiring and entertaining generations to come. Now Joe Vogel's incredible book Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson gives us a clear inside view of Jackson's creativity, focus and spirit as he describes the making of each song starting with Jackson's Off The Wall album. Vogel even covers unreleased songs in order to show the full range of Jackson's artistry. Jackson was multi-talented and THE artist that changed the world of music videos forever with his innovative approach. He inspired the world of dance with his sheer magical gravity-defying moves. Joe weaves these elements into the stories about each song, as they are inseparable elements. This book is unlike most other books you will read about Michael Jackson. It is not a tabloid-style unauthorized biography that tries to generate sales by sullying and distorting the life of Michael Jackson. While covering all important points in Jackson's personal life, the book focuses on the Man and his Music, pure and simple, and shows us the true nature of this creative genius. Vogel states, "As an artist, then, Jackson's work was about liberation. He wanted to free what was bound; transform what was petrified, and awaken what was dormant. He wanted to break through any obstacle that constrained the imagination, any chains-psychological, social or political-that imprisoned the body or mind. This is what art meant to him personally, and it was his intended effect on his audience as well." Read in Vogel's book about "They Don't Care about Us", "Scream", "Earth Song", "Black or White", "We've Had Enough" and other songs in which this liberation theme is evident. What was so unique about Jackson was that, as Vogel states, "The standard for Michael Jackson, of course, has always been himself". While other artists were busy chasing the achievements of Elvis, the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, Jackson had broken all album-selling records at an early age with Thriller, and this would be the album he would have to attempt to surpass throughout his life! You can read Joe's blogs about music on the Huffington Post to get a taste of his wonderful style of writing and his expansive knowledge of the music world. I'm sure that you will be inspired, as I have been, to read and enjoy Man in the Music. Vogel's book is well-written, thoroughly researched and a must read for Michael Jackson fans and all music fans. ENJOY!

Most books on Michael Jackson have focused on the tabloid caricature made up by a lazy and irresponsible media. A book whose main focus is the creative genius of Michael Jackson has long been needed and Joe Vogel's Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson is such a book. It chronicles all of Michael Jackson's adult solo albums starting with "Off The Wall" and ending with "Michael." Mr. Vogel takes each album and describes Michael's creative process, how he chose his creative partners, and how they worked as a team to create some of the greatest music of the last century. The technology and instrumentation used, the sonic quality of each album, and their specific genres are described in great detail. Many anecdotes from Michael's collaborators are included. The songs, including unreleased songs well know by the fan base, are described in detail. Joe has done a great job of putting each album in the context of the times when they were recorded and relates them to the major events of Michael's life. Michael's life experiences clearly influenced his art and Joe Vogel attempts to understand Michael the artist. Critics loved Thriller but in the post Thriller years they increasingly critiqued Michael Jackson, the artist, and not the art. Joe does a masterful job of pointing out how ridiculous some of that critique was. I have read so many things about Michael Jackson in the last few years. There was a lot of information about the Off The Wall and Thriller years that focused on the art Most of what Joe writes in these two chapters was not new to me. When I reached the subsequent chapters, I learned a lot that I didn't know. The best information on those albums I had been able to find was in Armond White's "Keep Moving: The Chronicles of Michael Jackson." In fact, Joe extensively quotes Mr. White throughout the book. I had dismissed so much of what was written by critics of the time about Dangerous, HIStory, Blood On The Dancefloor, and Invincible. The reason for this is that I felt that what they were saying was not in sync at all with how I felt about these albums. I dismissed those critics at jumping on the "band wagon" of the media slaughter of Michael Jackson. They should have done a better job explaining Jackson's work. They just don't "get" Michael Jackson as genius of this level is often misunderstood. While I love Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad, I have a much greater affinity for Jackson's work of the 1990's. I was happy to see that Joe spends lots of time on these stellar, unique, and always relevant albums and finally sheds more light on their creation. It was very clear that Jackson was a perfectionist and incredibly hard working. His creative partners, many of whom he worked with for 30 years, admired him and felt privileged to work with such a great artist and above all, loved him dearly. I think that Joe Vogel is up to the task of beginning to understand this very complex artist, Michael Jackson. I highly recommend the book.

Vogel's work serves as an extensive annotated bibliography/encyclopedia of Michael Jackson's music catalog which focuses reader attention upon MJ's songwriting, arrangement, and musicianship rather than the cult of personality and media circus that overshadowed MJ's post-THRILLER contributions to music entertainment. Following a Foreword by Anthony DeCurtis, Vogel's introduction provides a framework and scope with which to comprehend the magnitude of MJ's worldwide influence upon lyricism, storytelling, music arrangement, stage performance, publishing, and business. Song by song, album by album, decade by decade, Vogel reveals the social and cultural context, the history, and the story behind MJ's work as an adult solo artist. Starting with OFF THE WALL-era works such as Blame it On the Boogie and Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, Vogel ends with post-humous MICHAEL-era releases such as Hollywood Tonight and Much Too Soon. What creates added value to Vogel's deep research are discussions of unreleased songs and demos, contributions by MJ to the albums of other artists, plus lesser-known songs by MJ that flew under the radar, due to the cacophony of media noise in North America that drowned the man and his music. Vogel provides coverage of approximately forty years worth of songwriting and arrangement with heavy notes and quotations from MJ's own autobiography, biographies by of MJ by other writers, magazine and newspaper articles, television and radio interviews of MJ, Internet resources, and interviews with people who were once part of MJ's circle. Some minor mistakes include reference to the Sledgehammer Sisters (Vogel means Sister Sledge) and the arrival of Mary J. Blige in the 2000s (Blige arrived in the late 80s/early 90s with the New Jacks). Overall, this is a fascinating read that answers questions of what and who influenced MJ's development as a songwriter and performer, how MJ pierced longstanding institutional segregation of Black North American music artists, and how MJ's competitive spirit and perfectionism influenced music entertainment as a whole. With the MAN IN THE MUSIC, Vogel succeeds in drowning the cacophony of media noise and sensational propaganda with renewed focus upon the genius of MJ's lyrical expression; storytelling ability; song arrangement, performance, and delivery; stage presence; and monumental influence upon fellow artists such as Prince, Madonna, Janet Jackson, and other pop and rock stars who followed his lead. Recommended for the general reader plus high school and college-level creative arts programs, as well as music libraries as a reference resource. Book includes extensive Notes, Photo Credits, List of Songs, General Index, and Photo Index. The book unfortunately does not include a comprehensive list of the record-setting number of music-related awards MJ received, but this information is easily available other places.

Just when you think you know everything about Michael, Joseph Vogel writes a book that shows there is more to be learned. This book is PHENOMENAL!! This was worth every penny. Most books are about his personal life but this book is about his creative GENIUS! From the first page, I was so enthralled with this book. Joseph writes so elegantly. His way of writing keeps you wanting more. I couldn't put the book down. It was so refreshing to be able to read about some of the most iconic songs ever written. Being able to read up on some of my most favorite songs such as Tabloid Junkie, The Lady in My Life, Whatever Happens, and Is It Scary was exciting. He evens mentions some of his unreleased some from each album. I have the majority of them so I was so happy to find out when they were originally recorded. The way he describes each song makes you want to listen to them immediately after. My MJ jam sessions are more amazing now that I have read this book. My favorite chapter was Thriller. There have been many times where I questioned why this is the greatest selling album of all time. I was kindly reminded as to why. The hard work he put into this album is like no other I've ever seen. This album has broken so many records and gained many accolades. I felt like I was there with him while making this record. Listening to the album after reading this gave me the most amazing feeling. Michael's spirit oozed through each lyric, melody, and sound on that album. No one will ever top this! The photographs selected for this book are breathtaking! I shrieked when I turned the page and saw my all time favorite picture of him! Hint: its from the Liberian Girl video :). He is one of the most sexiest men ever. I wish he could've seen the beauty we see in him. I loved seeing all of the album covers and the pictures from the videos. All in all, this is a classic. This should be a best seller but of course the media isn't going to advertise something that shows Michael in a positive light. Everyone who reads this, recommend it to others. Lets get the word out!! All music lovers must read this!!! Thank you Michael! Thank you for blessing us with your gift! Thank you for making history! Thank you for paving the way for other artist! Thank you for loving the children! Thank you for loving Mother Earth! Thank you for understanding me when no one else would! Thank you for showing me what hard work and dedication is all about! Thank you for being you! :) Joseph Vogel - you're the man!!

When dealing with Michael Jackson, most biographers tend to focus on his decline more than his triumphs. The tabloid rumors, his face, the abuse accusations, all of this is fair game while his true artistry, the genius that took him so high before his long fall, is pushed to the sidelines. Which is why we (not only die-hard Jackson fans but our culture in general) needed this book. Joseph Vogel's book puts the spotlight on Michael the visionary and Michael the tunesmith. Through his interviews and exhaustive research, he has given us a portrait of a man who demanded excellence from everyone around him, but only because he expected perfection from himself. An intensely hard worker, restlessly creative, and constantly applying what he learned about himself and the world to his work, Michael Jackson is finally shown for what he was: one of the great artists of the 20th century; of any century, as a matter of fact. But this focus on his work is deceptive. In discussing his albums, their inception, and each song individually, Vogel sometimes calls upon Jackson's personal life to provide a context. His upbringing, his difficult relationship with his father, his marriages, children, the acquisition of Neverland, even the oft-repeated tabloid stories regarding his eccentricities and his face are all explored here. And yes, the child molestation charges are also talked about. But Vogel discusses these things in a thoughtful and respectful manner, never forgetting that the point of the book is the music. Yet the intelligent application of information regarding Michael the Man (apart from Michael the Artist) makes this the best biography of the singer on the market. That the writing itself is sharp and reader-friendly only adds to the book's appeal. Buy this. If you're a Michael enthusiast, a curious casual fan, or even a fan of pop culture in general, this book will not disappoint you. At about 250 pages, it's long enough to provide rich and comprehensive analyses on all of Michael's solo albums, while still leaving you wanting more after it's all over. A lot like Michael Jackson's albums, actually.

I've never been much for writing reviews, but I have to say that this book moved me so passoniately that I felt I had to state my opinion of it. If I could give this book ten stars I would! I think it should be required reading for anyone who is a fan of MUSIC, not just Michael Jackson fans! I've been fascinated by Michael Jackson since I was very young and I have read countless books about the world's greatest entertainer, even before his untimely death. But, never has there been a book that dealt solely with the pure genius of Michael Jackson's craft, his art, the thing that make him most unique...his music. Being someone that owns every song Michael Jackson has ever released including all the music of the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons...I've been waiting for a book just like this. I love that finally someone with some intelligence is writing thoughtfully about Michael's music and the deep impact that his music has made on society and on history. Through his music we can understand the man behind the mask and see his outlook of life. We all know Michael Jackson was a great dancer and one hell of an entertainer, but I have always felt that his music was never taken seriously by the public or the critics. Too many dismissed his music because of his commerical success as meaningless pop. It was easy for the critics to get caught up in the sensationalism and let it taint their view of his music. Joseph Vogel's book "Man in the Music" go beyond the hype and talks only about the music and the impact his music has had on the world. The author breaks down every album and every song Michael has ever made in his solo career, giving amazing insight into Michael's song writing process. He talks about how Michael was always trying to grow beyond Thriller, to create music that was inventive, ahead of its time, and still be accessible. He wanted to push the boundaries with his music as much as he did with his videos and his dancing. When I was a little girl the first album I ever bought was Michael Jackson's "Dangerous", I listened to it so much that I wore it out and had to buy it twice. Before I had ever seen his videos or seen him perform on t.v. I had fallen in love with his voice, his beat, his words. Even though I was a child and didn't fully comprehend the meanings of his songs until I was much older, I still knew his music was special. His music could transcend different languages, age, race and genders; which is why there will never be another artist like Michael Jackson ever again. I truly believe that his music will live forever and will outlast the scandals and it is books like this that will help change the misperceptions that plauged Michael Jackson his whole life.

For anyone who ever thought they would have liked to have been a "fly on the wall" as Michael Jackson wrote, recorded, and produced his solo albums, Mr. Vogel gives us that chance. His well-written, fully researched, and thoroughly documented book takes us all on a wonderful journey, peopled with Michael and his many collaborators. This is a book about Michael's artistic life. Mr. Vogel locates each album within the social and political context that birthed it. He starts at the beginning with "Off the Wall," and moves seamlessly all the way to "Invincible." The posthumous album "Michael" is addressed in an appendix. We are provided with enough detail that we can almost imagine being there during the creative process, yet not so much that we feel bogged down with minutiae. In addition to the songs, we also learn about many of the accompanying short films. We are treated to remarks from various reviewers, writing at the time the album was released, as well as comments from those who worked closely with Michael. Mr. Vogel craftily knits all of this information together into a very pleasant read. He does not shy away from the events in Michael's personal life, but shows us how they informed his creative work. Shortcomings of this book are few, and mostly concern what is not included. One is the omission of information on some of the short films, Liberian Girl, Blood on the Dance Floor, and One More Chance in particular. During the review of the album "Blood on the Dance Floor," the remixed songs are not discussed, and they are very different from their originals. I was hoping Mr. Vogel would enlighten me about these choices. Maybe he will include this information when it's time for the second edition. At that time, perhaps he can correct the typos and that "Thriller won eight Grammy's" mistake which is totally out of character for the rest of the book. I typically devour a book in a day or so; this one I chose to savor over a longer period of time. I will no doubt read this book again.

Chegou rápido e intacto. Por ser capa mole, fiquei com medo de amassar ou fazer "orelhinhas" no livro, mas veio bem embalado. Gratidão!

Ce livre est essentiel à tout fan qui se respecte, mais SURTOUT à toutes les personnes qui aiment "la Musique"-sans a priori et sous toutes ses formes. Je pense aussi à tous ces critiques Rock-Soul et Pop qui on tant craché sur les albums post-Thriller, sans prendre sans doute le temps de les ecouter?! (Mais non pas de nom!!) Car dans ce livre on se rend compte- ENFIN- du génie de ce bonhomme transcendé puis critiqué, humilié, blessé, les quelques 15 dernières années de sa vie. suivez pas à pas l'élaboration de ces albums disséqués avec intelligence, minutie et moultes références, re-decouvrez les, écoutez les. Tous ces albums sont immenses. Comme il fait du bien ce bouquin. Dommage qu'il n'est pas été écrit de son vivant....Et dommage qu'il ne soit qu'en anglais( pour l'instant j'espère) A lire d'urgence ou offrir ou se faire offrir ;-D

Very detailed

Being a Jackson fan I maybe a bit biased but the book gives you a view from Michael's brain. How he thought and how he made it all practical. Its his brain that you enter. (From what I know, I didn't read the book but my Brother did). C'mon! Its Jackson!

Absolut fundiert recherchiert, sachlich in einer selten guten Sprachform niedergeschrieben! Im Vordergund steht die Genialität der Musik, das Umfeld, in dem sie erschaffen wurde. Dabei vergisst Joseph Vogel aber nicht den Menschen, der dahinter steht und honoriert das Werk Michael Jackson's in einer derartig brillanten und grundlegenden Form, ohne dabei zu euphorisch zu wirken. Ein ausgezeichnetes Buch, welches wirklich jedem zu empfehlen ist! Auch sensationsorientierten Journalisten, die hier ein excellentes Vorbild für einen perfekten Schreibstil finden! Schade nur, dass es noch nicht in deutscher Sprache zu erhalten ist; es würde sicherlich auch viele Personen interessieren, die sich dieses Buch aufgrund sprachlicher Hürden noch nicht geholt haben...