Episode 008 – Xscape Origins Special

Epiosde 008 - Xscape Origins Special YouTube ArtOn this special episode of The MJCast, Jamon and Q interview acclaimed author Damien Shields on his new book Xscape Origins. Topics include Damien’s writing process, his collaborative partner James Alay’s contributions to the project, Damien’s experiences talking with Michael’s collaborators, a never before heard story about Damien’s ill fated interview with Michael Jackson himself. We also take the opportunity to capture some of Damien’s fascinating opinions on a range of Jackson related topics. As a special treat for listeners of The MJCast, you will also hear an exclusive audio snippet of an interview Damien conducted with C. J. DeVillar (Michael’s bassist and recording engineer during the early Invincible sessions) and a never before released version of the song She Was Lovin’ Me which was co-produced by Cory Rooney and Taryll Jackson.

As explained on Damien’s website, “Xscape Origins pieces together stories about the real Michael Jackson; the musical genius at work. As told by the songwriters, producers, musicians, and technicians who worked intimately with him in the studio, and featuring a touching foreword written by his longtime engineer Matt Forger, the book takes you inside the recording studio, delivering captivating fly-on-the-wall insights into the creative process of the greatest artistic visionary the world has ever known”. At its heart, Xscape Origins delves into the history of the eight original Michael Jackson songs which were remixed for the 2014 album Xscape, released in partnership between Sony Music and the Estate of Michael Jackson. Reading Damien’s work will give you a level of knowledge that will allow you to appreciate the songs in a much deeper way. If it’s Michael’s artistic process you love learning about, look no further than this fantastic book. It’s undoubtedly the best book on Michael’s art that I’ve ever read.

Links
Get your physical copy of Xscape Origins today at xscapeorigins.com.
Xscape Origins is also on Amazon, iBooks and Google Play as eBooks.
Read Damien’s latest Michael Jackson related articles at damienshields.com.
Joseph Vogel’s book on Michael’s artistry, Man in the Music: The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson
Chris Cadman’s book series ‘The Maestro’ Volume’s I and II, excellent reference books on Michael’s creative work.
Keith Murphy’s fantastic Vibe article on Michael’s final (and still mostly unreleased) musical work. Read ‘Redemption Songs’.
Damien’s FacebookTwitter and Instagram pages

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

Episode 007 – We Come in Peace

Episode 007 - We Come In Peace YouTube ArtQ returns from his US/Canada/Hong Kong trip and is back on board to discuss the future (or lack thereof) of Captain EO in Disney parks, Michael Jackson being nominated by the Billboard Music Awards for Top R&B Album of 2015 with Xscape and the upcoming Broadway version of The Wiz. We also discuss Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson, MJ tribute artist Dimitri Reeves performing Michael’s music amidst the Baltimore Riots, the Estate of Michael Jackson partnering with Authentic Brands Group for an international merchandising business relationship, Kingvention 2015 and the Thriller Studio Tour at Westlake Recording Studios, Hollywood! Lastly, we launch into an in depth discussion around Q’s experiences at the Cirque Du Soleil MJOne show at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas.

News
Disney’s Captain EO to be closed?! What’s really going on here?
Michael Jackson’s Xscape album is nominated for Top R&B Album of 2015 by the Billboard Music Awards.
The Wiz is set to be NBC’s next live musical in late 2015, also coming to broadway in 2016 with Cirque Du Soleil‘s inolvement!
Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson is out. Read all about this great album on this NBC article.
Michael Jackson tribute artist Dimitri Reeves performs MJ songs amidst the Baltimore Riots and gives an interview about it here!
The Estate of Michael Jackson and Authentic Brands Group partner to expand the Michael Jackson brand worldwide.
A Michael Jackson convention called Kingvention 2015 is happening in London on Saturday the 12th of September, 2015.
Thriller Studio Tour at Westlake Recording Studios in Hollywood is Back for 2015!

Discussion Topic
Q’s thoughts on Michael Jackson One, the Cirque Du Soleil/Michael Jackson show at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Finds of the Week
Jamon – Tristan Jackson’s #MakeThatChange video project
Q – 2CELLOS They Don’t Care About Us music video

Additional Links
Messenger King: Michael Jackson and the politics of #BlackLivesMatter by D.B. Anderson
Kerry Anderson’s Facebook page and Agape Love, the Facebook page for his upcoming book.
Red Bubble’s Keep Michaeling t-shirt
Xscapeorigins.com, the website for the new book on Michael Jackson’s creative process, by Damien Shields.

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!

Episode 004 – That’s Enough Plugging!

Episode 004 - That's Enough Plugging! YouTube ArtAuthor Damien Shields of damienshields.com joins us to discuss the Detroit Mosaic Youth Centre Michael Jackson tribute concerts, his new book called Xscape Origins which can be found at xscapeorigins.com, 3T returning to the stage on June 26th and 27th in the Netherlands and a Swedish film director creating a documentary feature film on MJ choreographer ‘Vincent Paterson’. We also discuss new MJ vocals from the Human Nature sessions, a new video of Michael performing Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough ‘live’ and Cirque Du Soleil’s documentary on the Immortal World Tour.

News
The Detroit Mosaic Youth Theatre MJ tribute show called ‘Make That Change’ has been a massive success!
Author Damien Shields has released his new book ‘Xscape Origins’ at xscapeorigins.com. Use offer code FriendOfMine before the 7th of April for a 15% discount!
3T will be performing on June 26th and 27th in the Netherlands.
A Swedish film director is doing a crowd funding campaign to make a documentary about one of Michael Jackson’s choreographers, Vincent Paterson. Pledge $1000 or more to see a private screening of never before seen MJ rehearsal footage!
Kon on SoundCloud has released a Human Nature remix with never before heard studio vocals from the Thriller sessions.
YouTube user 1710barton has uploaded footage of MJ performing Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough in full at a bay area nightclub in 1979.

Discussion Topic
Cirque Du Soleil and the Michael Jackson Estate have released a documentary feature film on the Immortal World Tour.

Finds of the Week
Jamon – Detroit Mosaic Youth Theatre’s ‘Human Nature’ rehearsal footage
Damien – MJ101

Additional Links
Damien Shields’ ‘Hold My Hand’ article
Charles Thomson’s Huffington Post review of Xscape Origins
Chris Cadman’s ‘The Maestro‘ book
Warren Eagles ‘Grading Michael Jackson’ article on the International Colorist Academy website
The Piano Guys’ ‘I Want You Bach

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If you have any thoughts, opinions, or feedback on the show, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling!