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Pop Rock Nation

Category: People

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  • First Listen: Whitney Houston’s “Million Dollar Bill”

    So I’m thinking this Whitney comeback might actually get pulled off. “Million Dollar Bill” is the second radio single from her upcoming album “I Look to You”, and it’s a pretty damn good record. Produced by Alicia Keys (and Swizz Beatz…I think), it’s got a retro-disco vibe that Whitney’s never tried before. It works for her. I’m glad they’re not going the Auto-Tune/trendy club beat route with her (you hear that, Mary J. Blige?)

    What impresses the most is that the voice is still there. Whitney can still sing, but then again, I’m of the belief that her voice actually got better once Bobby (and all the other attendant issues) came into the picture.

    So, this is a pretty cool track. I’m excited for the album. What do you think?

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  • Your Latest MJ Update

    Looks like some tributes are being lined up for Michael Jackson. There’s going to be a star-studded remake of his 1993 hit single “Will You Be There”, featuring vocals from Usher, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston and John Mayer, among others. Jennifer Hudson might sing on it (she sang the song at Jackson’s memorial service), but since she just had a baby, she might not be able to contribute. This tribute is being spearheaded by Shawn King, who’s the wife of respected telejournalist Larry King. That seems a little incongruous to me-what the hell does Shawn King have to do with Michael Jackson? Oh well. As long as Larry King doesn’t decide to sing. But judging from the star-studded lineup, I’m sure the song will be good. Hopefully they’ll donate the proceeds to charity or something.

    The other event is an all-star tribute concert scheduled to take place in Austria (?) and is being spearheaded by Michael’s brother Jermaine. 10 major artists (who will be announced in a couple of weeks) will pay tribute to the King of Pop by performing his hits. The Austrian location was chosen by Jermaine, he says , because his brother loved castles. I’m like damn, it’s bad enough that the guy didn’t tour the U.S. for the last 20 years of his life-now even his tribute concert is being held overseas? Can someone give MJ’s American fans some love?

  • 45 RPM SPECIAL EDITION: Burn This Disc Out

    The Jackson 5 want you to eat your Alpha-Bits

    I’m suspending my random column this week to share this little tidbit from my (and maybe your) childhood.

    Michael Jackson’s stellar entertainment career all but eclipsed his former life as a child wunderkind.  As soon as Thriller hit, many folks forgot about his previous incarnation as a highly combustible impish pixie, all hot splits and high-tenor vocal explosions, on Motown.  But kids my age will remember that baby Michael and his brothers, as The Jackson 5, were more than just a little family soul band from Gary, IN.  They were real-life super-heroes with a fast-paced Saturday morning cartoon show, fighting supervillains, swearing off yucky girls forever, and making sure we learned our ABC’s and ate our Alpha-Bits.  In other words, they were the COOLEST!

    Now I suppose they still do this sorta thing with downloads, but pffft…gimme a break.  NOTHING was as cool as the free, one-sided, cardboard Jackson 5 record that came pressed on the back of Rice Krinkles cereal.  Yes, Rice Krinkles…you know your Mom bought them, and she also bought Hydrox cookies and RC Cola and you gobbled them up, right?  Anyway, the record had a number carelessly stamped in or near a small circle placed next to the runoff groove, and that number indicated what song was etched onto the box.  First you had to wait to finish eating the whole box of cereal (which was next to impossible; patience may be a virtue, but it’s sheer torture to a seven-year-old), then carefully cut out the record.  I remember not wanting to slice through young Michael’s sternum.

    Needless to say, these were top-quality pressings of the utmost fidelity.  My copy featured “ABC.”  I had to tape a 50-cent piece to the top of the record to keep it from slipping wildly all over the turntable, and it sounded like it was being broadcast over a Dixie-cups-&-string telephone.  But who cared?  My friends & I jumped around like maniacs to the tinny, bassless sound of our boundless hero and his band of brothers.  Kids’ll be kids.

    Thanks for the memories, Michael.  Rock on.