This is a review by Theresa Gonsalves
Willing to give Jermaine Jackson - One More Chance (My review)
Since everyone keeps asking me my opinion of the Jermaine Jackson concert, I thought it best to just write a note for all. And remember, it's only my opinion...
I have seen the Jackson's perform live 20 shows, Michael 4 shows and Jermaine Jackson alone at the Universal Amphitheater and Janet three times. I have supported all of the Jackson's and I still have Jackie's solo album, Marlon's solo album and Latoya's solo album and even the Jackson Five Going Back to Indiana album! I went to all of the Jackson's softball games for ten years and even rode in the limo with them in a cavalcade when we (yes, I said we...I considered myself a team member...lol), played against Magic Johnson's team in San Diego. And most of you know I had a friendship with Michael for many many years. Does that make me a Jackson expert? LOL...I don't think so, but I am going to be as honest as I can be about the concert in Las Vegas on October 2nd. I in no way went expecting to see an impersonation of Michael Jackson. I didn't know the show was touted to be a tribute show to Michael. It just said 40 years of Jackson music. I knew the brothers were suppose to be there and they didn't disappoint, except for Marlon. Michael's kids were there, but I didn't see them personally, but saw a bunch of kids in general. Yes I saw Ms. Kate and Joe, etc.
I think I was a little thrown off when I first walked towards the auditorium because I saw hardly any Black people. Don't take it personal, no pun intended (he didnt sing that song either), I just expected to see more because we have known and supported the Jackson's since 1969. I guess because it was kind of like when you see a Temptation revue...you expect to see at least some of us. But I also knew that a lot of the tickets were given away or sold 2 for the price of one because of slow ticket sales. I would say the sales were slow because there was very little promotion. But the tickets were given away to the wrong audience. An audience that knows the music, makes it better for the performer.
At 8:45, it was stated that everyone who was going to be there was there and since this was being taped for Pay per View they needed the seats to be filled in and told everyone to move to the front empty seats and even told the balcony people to come downstairs to fill in the blank seats. Needless to say that caused mayhem as then those late people, whose seats were now taken, all of a sudden appeared from nowhere. Seems they were the only ones who knew the show, slated to begin at 8, was actually scheduled to begin after 9. One group of these people were said to be the producers. That annoyed me in itself. Fortunately we already had good seats. Okay the show begins...
With no announcement the show begins with Michael's Planet Earth Poem. At hearing his voice, of course, several girls in our row begin to cry and shout, "We love you Michael." After that Jermaine starts the show with Can You Feel It! Now I didnt remember that, I just had to ask my friend who was with me. Jermaine seemed out of breath after the first song...why, I wondered. Okay a little rusty. I am not going to go into every single detail....but let me just say the show lacked luster. Where was the glitz and pizazz of Las Vegas? Hell not just of Las Vegas, but of the Jacksons? He looked good in the outfits, I can say that. And he didn't sound too bad singing Michael's songs...well with the exception of the fast songs in which his voice was drowned out by the band so you couldn't hear his singing anyway. There was no dancing from Jermaine and the dancers just didn't fit. I don't want to knock the young dancers. They just didn't fit and their outfits...cant call them costumes...were just dull. We all wondered why Jermaine's wife came on the stage for Lady in my Life. It was unnecessary and irrelevant...oops, sorry that is his wife, but I wasn't feeling the love. I will say that his voice sounded DAMN GOOD on Daddy's Home! But yet in the end I wondered what happened to I FOUND THAT GIRL and That's How Love Goes. He ended the show on a tumultuous note. Everyone in Vegas comes out for an encore and we expected nothing less as we clapped and yelled and were encouraged to do so by the MC...."If you yell louder, you can get Jermaine to come back!" We did...but I guess he just didn't hear us. He didn't come back to take that final bow or give us the closing we anticipated. Oh and speaking of anticipation, I know with all the brothers there we all, myself included, expected them to get up on that stage for at least the three most infamous Jackson Five medley. But they weren't having that either. By the way, I am still wondering who the little girl is that sang I'll Be There with Jermaine? He didn't introduce her nor did we get introduced to the band. That would simply have been the proper thing to do.
I am not faulting Jermaine for this performance that found him at times, literally just standing there seeming lost and confused unless he had his guitar in hand. I am faulting his management as well as the promoters. He wasnt ready. I wondered why Autumn and Jermaine Jr twittered they decided not to do the show two days before the event. I needn't wonder any longer. They knew he wasnt ready. What we really want to see is the Jackson guys together. I would speculate and I am only speculating, that Jermaine's management feels that because he is the only lead that he should go it alone. I don't agree with that perception and again, I state, I am just speculating. I also fault the CHOSEN audience. Most of them older then me...I'll be 52 this November. This older audience was sixty something and didnt have a clue to the Jackson music or Jermaine's music. Some of them walked out during the show. I looked around at their expressions, some with their eyes closed. There were also guys in back of me shouting, "You're not Michael" or "You're trying to channel Michael". I really didn't like that. I never felt at any time he was trying to be. I get that he wants to give us a good show. I say, come on Jermaine, at least give us a show, not the rehearsal. I paid full price for my ticket. I didnt use to have to do that!
I had the opportunity to meet some of the money behind the show afterward. This gentleman just happened to stop me for some strange reason, tapping me on the shoulder and asked my opinion of the show. I gave it....funny thing he said, when he walked in, albeit late like a lot of people, he wondered why people were walking out during the middle of the concert. Okay, maybe they had other engagements to get to and this show had started more than an hour later than it was suppose to. Good thing I ran into this guy, he gave us VIP treatment into the after party. The doorman told him to stand in line...he said, "I don't do lines"...he waved his hand and yeah..we were let in! I like that!
But okay Jermaine, I am willing to give you one more chance! Although I would rather see all the guys together!
And people remember...it's only MY opinion.
Much Love,
Theresa
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