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Jackson's Katrina aid CD cloaked in mystery Jackson's Katrina aid CD cloaked in mystery
Delays caused some singers to back out; cynics say Michael wants to boost his own lagging career. By Geoff Boucher Los Angeles Times Nothing is ever easy or quick when it comes to Michael Jackson projects. The latest example: Last month, the fading pop star loudly trumpeted plans to record an all-star charity single for Hurricane Katrina victims. Now that plan, which called for a CD to be ready in two weeks, is either falling behind schedule or simply falling apart, depending on whom you ask. Charles A. Bobbit, executive vice president of James Brown Enterprises, said, "We heard from Michael's people last week. . . . It's been pushed back about one or two more weeks. We're told that the song wasn't as Michael wanted it but that it is going forward." But some artists who were on the list of Jackson's star-studded choir say the project is going nowhere. They are also wary about being associated with Jackson in the first place. Such aversion happens frequently these days when the subject is Jackson, a figure who inspires the willies in many music-industry folks, although a good number of his artistic peers retain some measure of admiration for his lifetime of influential hits. Designed to help his career? It's been a while since he topped the singles charts ("You Are Not Alone" led the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in 1995), and when he proposed on Sept. 6 the recording of an all-star sing-along in the style of "We Are the World," there was a sense among some cynics that the goal was to help Katrina victims and his own career. Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, said last week that all questions will be answered in short order and skeptics will be proved wrong. She said Jackson flew to London recently, where (between a visit to Madame Tussauds' wax museum and the stage show of "Billy Elliot") the 47-year-old star was in the studio recording for the song. A photo hit the Internet showing the rail-thin singer in an untucked red shirt, standing before a microphone and perusing sheet music. "When Mr. Jackson has completed this process, he will be sending the music to the artists," Bain said in an e-mail response to Los Angeles Times inquiries about the project status. "The next phase will be scheduling a recording date." In his Sept. 6 announcement, Jackson named the heavyweights he said would be joining him in the project: Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Lauryn Hill, James Brown, Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz and eight other acts. A publicist who works with one platinum-selling act on the list said the announcement was met with a ripple of irked surprise. "A lot of the people on that list found out about their commitment when the release came out," the publicist said. Delays may cause dropouts As to the status of any participants other than Brown, everyone seems to be in the dark. "Do you know who is going forward with it?" Bobbit asked. "What I have heard is that some of the singers will not be there. I think some of them may have been enthusiastic at the start but that the delays might be a problem. People are busy." Bobbit said he heard that R. Kelly had dropped out. Kelly's manager, Derrel McDavid, would say only that the singer's schedule is in flux and that he is uncertain where the entire project stands. Laura Swanson, senior vice president of publicity for Island Def Jam, the label home of Carey, would only say, "I don't believe Michael's done any recording for his benefit single. At least not that I've heard of." Bain did not answer when asked which artists were expected to join in, nor did she address the suggestion that some artists had been caught off guard by the use of their names. She did e-mail: "The project is continuing on a fast track as it has been less than a month since Mr. Jackson announced his plans regarding his Katrina Relief effort. . . . Mr. Jackson looks forward to the participation of the artists whose goals and objectives are the same as his." Conflict with Stevie Wonder tune (There may be a title issue: The title mentioned in the initial announcement, "From the Bottom of My Heart," turns out to be already in use -- Stevie Wonder's new album "A Time 2 Love" has a track with that title and also comes on the CD bundled with a Katrina benefit single, "Shelter in the Rain.") Originally, Bain said digital technology would make it easy for stars to send in their vocal contributions from wherever they were, but Bobbit said he'd heard the plan was to assemble everyone on a soundstage in New York, London or Los Angeles. "Mr. Brown will be there, wherever it is," Bobbit added. Since his acquittal in June of child molestation charges, Jackson has been spending most of his time as a houseguest in the palace of Sheik Salman ibn Hamed Khalifa, the crown prince of Bahrain. The charity single is scheduled to be released on 2 Seas Records Inc., a label owned by the Bahraini royal, who accompanied Jackson to London for the recent recording sessions. [Edited 10/17/05 12:26pm] |
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asg said: Jackson's Katrina aid CD cloaked in mystery
Delays caused some singers to back out; cynics say Michael wants to boost his own lagging career. By Geoff Boucher Los Angeles Times Nothing is ever easy or quick when it comes to Michael Jackson projects. The latest example: Last month, the fading pop star loudly trumpeted plans to record an all-star charity single for Hurricane Katrina victims. Now that plan, which called for a CD to be ready in two weeks, is either falling behind schedule or simply falling apart, depending on whom you ask. Charles A. Bobbit, executive vice president of James Brown Enterprises, said, "We heard from Michael's people last week. . . . It's been pushed back about one or two more weeks. We're told that the song wasn't as Michael wanted it but that it is going forward." But some artists who were on the list of Jackson's star-studded choir say the project is going nowhere. They are also wary about being associated with Jackson in the first place. Such aversion happens frequently these days when the subject is Jackson, a figure who inspires the willies in many music-industry folks, although a good number of his artistic peers retain some measure of admiration for his lifetime of influential hits. Designed to help his career? It's been a while since he topped the singles charts ("You Are Not Alone" led the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in 1995), and when he proposed on Sept. 6 the recording of an all-star sing-along in the style of "We Are the World," there was a sense among some cynics that the goal was to help Katrina victims and his own career. Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, said last week that all questions will be answered in short order and skeptics will be proved wrong. She said Jackson flew to London recently, where (between a visit to Madame Tussauds' wax museum and the stage show of "Billy Elliot") the 47-year-old star was in the studio recording for the song. A photo hit the Internet showing the rail-thin singer in an untucked red shirt, standing before a microphone and perusing sheet music. "When Mr. Jackson has completed this process, he will be sending the music to the artists," Bain said in an e-mail response to Los Angeles Times inquiries about the project status. "The next phase will be scheduling a recording date." In his Sept. 6 announcement, Jackson named the heavyweights he said would be joining him in the project: Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Lauryn Hill, James Brown, Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz and eight other acts. A publicist who works with one platinum-selling act on the list said the announcement was met with a ripple of irked surprise. "A lot of the people on that list found out about their commitment when the release came out," the publicist said. Delays may cause dropouts As to the status of any participants other than Brown, everyone seems to be in the dark. "Do you know who is going forward with it?" Bobbit asked. "What I have heard is that some of the singers will not be there. I think some of them may have been enthusiastic at the start but that the delays might be a problem. People are busy." Bobbit said he heard that R. Kelly had dropped out. Kelly's manager, Derrel McDavid, would say only that the singer's schedule is in flux and that he is uncertain where the entire project stands. Laura Swanson, senior vice president of publicity for Island Def Jam, the label home of Carey, would only say, "I don't believe Michael's done any recording for his benefit single. At least not that I've heard of." Bain did not answer when asked which artists were expected to join in, nor did she address the suggestion that some artists had been caught off guard by the use of their names. She did e-mail: "The project is continuing on a fast track as it has been less than a month since Mr. Jackson announced his plans regarding his Katrina Relief effort. . . . Mr. Jackson looks forward to the participation of the artists whose goals and objectives are the same as his." Conflict with Stevie Wonder tune (There may be a title issue: The title mentioned in the initial announcement, "From the Bottom of My Heart," turns out to be already in use -- Stevie Wonder's new album "A Time 2 Love" has a track with that title and also comes on the CD bundled with a Katrina benefit single, "Shelter in the Rain.") Originally, Bain said digital technology would make it easy for stars to send in their vocal contributions from wherever they were, but Bobbit said he'd heard the plan was to assemble everyone on a soundstage in New York, London or Los Angeles. "Mr. Brown will be there, wherever it is," Bobbit added. Since his acquittal in June of child molestation charges, Jackson has been spending most of his time as a houseguest in the palace of Sheik Salman ibn Hamed Khalifa, the crown prince of Bahrain. The charity single is scheduled to be released on 2 Seas Records Inc., a label owned by the Bahraini royal, who accompanied Jackson to London for the recent recording sessions. [Edited 10/17/05 12:26pm] Hey JB and MJ is enough for me...the rest are impressive artists but wouldn't be cool with a duet instead...although it would suit better if the song was funky like the songs on Destiny and not another Heal the world type of song | |
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It's already too late. The moment has passed for a relief song-donate some $$$ and move on. "New Power slide...." |
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skywalker said: It's already too late. The moment has passed for a relief song-donate some $$$ and move on.
[sarcasm]it's never too late for a relief song, not when michael jackson's involved!!!  [/sarcasm] | |
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No surprise here. The very first sentence sums it up. Been gone for a minute, now I'm back with the jump off | |
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 Never easy to be a Michael-fan. | |
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BT11 said: Never easy to be a Michael-fan.true. i feel kinna sorry for the hardcore fans...it's rather lax for 'em, i'd think.  | |
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Hey, it's not like he's locked into the Katrina tragedy. Change a few words and he can aid the earthquake victims, or any other natural disaster which happens in the next five years. Which is probably when the Cd will be ready.  | |
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What's the mystery? He's still working on the song, and even if all the other artist back out I'll still buy it. [Edited 10/17/05 13:35pm] | |
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Wtf is he waiting on? Get it together Mike!!  | |
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Handclapsfingasnapz said: BT11 said: Never easy to be a Michael-fan.true. i feel kinna sorry for the hardcore fans...it's rather lax for 'em, i'd think. Makes me real glad I'm not a hardcore fan anymore. I'd be more pissed than happy if I were waiting for this song, or any other project of his. I'm not a fan of "old Prince". I'm not a fan of "new Prince". I'm just a fan of Prince. Simple as that | |
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I always thought it was kinda funny that Stevie already had a track called, From the Bottom of My Heart. He should just have songs ready 'in case of disaster' then when something happens he can already have material and ready to go. Been gone for a minute, now I'm back with the jump off | |
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Still working on the song??? When is it gonna come out? Next year? Boy I bet the hurricane victims will be glad in fall of 2006 when the proceeds from MJ's song helps them out..... "New Power slide...." |
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skywalker said: Still working on the song??? When is it gonna come out? Next year? Boy I bet the hurricane victims will be glad in fall of 2006 when the proceeds from MJ's song helps them out.....
actually yeh they would be. there gonna need as much money to restore the place which will take along time, well into next year, theres more to it then just helping them right now, theres also a future to think about | |
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Here he go again.When MJ announced this project,I knew that there was gonna be some type of controversy.This guy can never seem to complete a project without alot of embarassing drama and controversy.Remember what happened with his last charity single? He allowed his gay porno director "friend" to produce the thing and thus,it was never released.Doesn't MJ ever learn from past mistakes??
Why doesn't he just write a check and save himself alot of trouble and embarassment? Or perform at one of the many charity concerts? | |
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although it would be nice to have a new song by michael, i wish he would just give up on this charity song and concentrate on his album | |
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only read the first two lines.....  so true!
Prince set the perfect example of how to do it, MJ is not capable of that!  | |
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hellomoto said: although it would be nice to have a new song by michael, i wish he would just give up on this charity song and concentrate on his album
his own album will take,what....six years to complete? | |
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I still say Michael needs to wait before trying to get back into making music.
I'm sure his therapy isn't done yet. | |
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Rhondab said: I still say Michael needs to wait before trying to get back into making music.
I'm sure his therapy isn't done yet. Probably because it hasn't even begun. Been gone for a minute, now I'm back with the jump off | |
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purplecam said: Handclapsfingasnapz said: true. i feel kinna sorry for the hardcore fans...it's rather lax for 'em, i'd think. Makes me real glad I'm not a hardcore fan anymore. I'd be more pissed than happy if I were waiting for this song, or any other project of his. Not like Prince Fans have it any easier. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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hellomoto said: although it would be nice to have a new song by michael, i wish he would just give up on this charity song and concentrate on his album
um he can't finish a song...let alone an entire album. he needs to take a while off. or get back on that Vegas Deal. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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Rhondab said: I still say Michael needs to wait before trying to get back into making music.
I'm sure his therapy isn't done yet. im still waiting for him to reveal his new look 
 for rugged mj. | |
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Message to MJ - Mike, don´t try so hard! You don´t have to be and make things perfect for us to love you. "When Michael Jackson is just singing and dancing, you just think this is an astonishing talent. And he has had this astounding talent all his life, but we want him to be floored as well. We really don´t like the idea that he could have it all." | |
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Does anyone really give a rats ass about this? I know I don't. He's too late and I couldn't care less about it. | |
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I was watching one of those "Entertainment Tonight"-type shows,and they showed a bunch of recording artists in the studio,recording a charity single for the Katrina victims.It included folks like Celine Dion and Ruben Studdard.The single can already be bought at iTunes,and an album is due in a few weeks.Can't recall the name of the song/project.
Looks like they beat Michael to the punch (lol),he may as well just cancel his own single. | |
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DavidEye said: I was watching one of those "Entertainment Tonight"-type shows,and they showed a bunch of recording artists in the studio,recording a charity single for the Katrina victims.It included folks like Celine Dion and Ruben Studdard.The single can already be bought at iTunes,and an album is due in a few weeks.Can't recall the name of the song/project.
Looks like they beat Michael to the punch (lol),he may as well just cancel his own single. EVERYONE beat Michael to the punch. He could have even reached into his archives and pulled out an unreleased song or something. He could have done anything by now. He's an artist. Prince wrote a song by himself over the weekend and it was out the next week. I don't see what the problem is to make a song. Hell even REDO a song if you can't make one up. He just wanted to be the first to talk about it. Christian Zombie Vampires | |
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DavidEye said: hellomoto said: although it would be nice to have a new song by michael, i wish he would just give up on this charity song and concentrate on his album
his own album will take,what....six years to complete? Nope! | |
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