Cello Wars (Star Wars Parody): Lightsaber Duel

(Steven Sharp Nelson)

Michael Meets Mozart – 1 Piano, 2 Guys, 100 Cello Tracks

(Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson)

Moonlight – Electric Cello (inspired by Beethoven)

(Steven Sharp Nelson)

The Cello Song – Bach is Back (with 7 more cellos)

(Steven Sharp Nelson)

Watch them, enjoy the music and the awesome performance! :-)

One of the most interesting versions of “Smooth Criminal” that I have ever heard. Better than Apocalyptica! :)

(Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic playing Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson for two cellos solo. Arranged by Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic.)

[Flash player with embedded video]

:-)

(You may find this music video on YouTube, too.)

On a //sideline, Jon Bon Jovi released a new album on 2009 — “The Circle” — and I find it surprisingly pleasing for listening :)

“This Is It“, dedicated to the memory of Michael Jackson, and starring Michael Jackson.

(official trailer @ youtube, available also in HD)

In the movie, I saw the work of an amazing musician “behind the scenes”, in rehearsals, in life! I saw Michael Jackson (almost) without make-up and sometimes… even without his sunglasses! :)

Most of the footage shows the preparation for the concerts in London, where Michael Jackson and his group of musicians and dancers had a planned series of 50 shows at the 02 Arena.

Unfortunately, Michael died (or was killed?) just before the tour has begun… This was really it, “This Is It” — his last tour that did not happen… :-(

Before I went to see this movie, I was a bit afraid that I may be disappointed. I was afraid to see a former star, supported on the stage so that he won’t fall down? I was afraid to see Michael Jackson that doesn’t sing and doesn’t dance?

Well, I wasn’t right!

Michael was singing, dancing and was giving everything out of himself at the rehearsals! You will really see it like you never did before, if you go to see this movie!

These would have been the best, the most original shows in his career — if they did happen, of course…

If you like Michael Jackson and appreciate his creative work — go to see this movie on a big screen (the quality of the sound is important, too)!

And if you don’t like Michael Jackson, but you love beautiful music and beautiful dance — go to see this movie on a big screen, you won’t regret it, too! Buy tickets for “This Is It”, and you will see a real genius at work! You will see and hear real music! You will also see a lot of funny moments during the rehearsals — you will see how an amazing gang of musicians and dancers work together with an even more amazing guy — who is no more, unfortunately…

* * *

An unknown for me commenter said the following words at imdb.com, after watching the movie:

Title: Genius?
Date: 29 October 2009
Rating: 10/10
Author: shakazulubb, from Germany

This was a clear view into the integral preparation of a concert by a complete genius. I was never a Michael Jackson fan, however, my wife was and since she was desperate to see the film I decided to accompany her. I was astounded. I could not believe this man in the film was the same person that is was always hounded by the press and made to look like the devil. He was by no means weird, ill health, or a drug user. If he was, he masked it very well.

The film shows us what we are missing as far as the concert goes and what a pity, it would have been amazing! He seemed at ease, and so happy and normal while on stage, as if it was built to be his. You would never believe this was the ”freak” that the world perceived him to be. Shame on those people. Genius at work, a perfectionist down the smallest detail and I think the film has captured this very well. What I liked a lot was the fact that the film was not concentrating on his death and tragedy, but solely on his concert, his music, and his geniality and it was a fitting tribute to one of the greatest musicians of our times. So I would urge anyone who has had any miss conceptions about the man to go see this, you like me will more than likely change your views on the man.

RIP, Michael!

– A very good and exact comment!

In “This Is It” I saw a happy person who was dreaming of music, and dreaming to be there again — on the stage, to sing and dance for all of us!

A lot of people paid tribute to him and his music, when he left this earth, earlier this year… But Michael is not here anymore… And there will be no concerts in London, not this year nor the next — no concerts, ever. Only some recordings are left, some raw footage from the rehearsals…

* * *

I can’t find the right words, sorry. So, just go and spend some money to see the movie. This will be money well invested, I promise.

A legend was gone on June 25th 2009. Michael Jackson.

Some have found a good word or two, for him.

Others, have drawn wallpapers, or some drawings, to remember him…

Leading medias, like CNN, dedicated special page to Michael…

The day he was gone, YouTube, Amazon and a lot of other “Top 100″ websites, mentioned this on their front pages…

And my words… I can’t find them. I am sad. But not because Michael won’t have concerts in London this summer, but because some geniuses have so hard life, and can’t flee from Fate.

Michael Jackson was rejected by many, but he will be remembered, by many.

Not a long ago, we watched again Moonwalker. I forgot this movie. It’s good.

It is naïve, at some moments, but funny, and Michael dances incredibly, the music is good — what more a man can wish? ;-)

Some scenes in it are unforgettable. “Smooth Criminal” in the Club 30′s, for example. Or the dance with the Hare:)

I wrote earlier this year, that Michael will have concerts in London (Summer 2009). But Michael is no more, and CNN just released a video from one of his last rehearsals:

…In my teenage years, I was big fan of his music, but even more, of his dance. There are a lot of imitators of his style. Are there better dancers than him? Yes. But Michael, he was unique, he had magnetism no other dancer maybe ever had…

Moon walk? O, yes, it’s not his invention…

Here are a few names, some of them I never heard before:

Fred Astaire, Bill Bailey, Buck and Bubbles, Cab Calloway, Clarck Brothers, Sammy Davis Jr., Daniel L. Haynes, Rubberneck Holmes, Patterson & Jackson, Eleanor Powell, Bill Robinson, “Three Chefs”, “Tip, Tap and Toe”, Earl Snakehips Tucker… They are his predecessors. And here’s a historical video:

But, the Moon Walk, Michael could do it like anynone else! :-)

Once, I remember I saw a video, he was doing the moon walk sideways in it! It was amazing to watch…

Michael Jackson was a legend, a star, while he was alive, but now I believe he is a Star in the Sky…

I can’t find the right words to express what I feel.

Rest in Peace, Michael! I bow in front of you and your talent! That’s all I can say…

And I hope, your soul have found Peace…

It’s sunny outside.

The second cup of coffee is preparing (it’s my favourite Jacobs Monarch Classic), J.J. Cale’s Sensitive Kind is quietly playing on the Cambridge Soundworks 250D/S700, I lazily read friends’ blogs… That’s a good start of the day! :-)

[Flash player with embedded audio of JJ Cale, "Sensitive Kind".]

J. J. Cale: Sensitive Kind

Don’t take her for granted, she has a hard time,
Don’t misunderstand her or play with her mind.

Treat her so gently, it will pay you in time,
You’ve got to know she’s the sensitive kind.

Tell her you love her, each and every night
And you will discover she will treat you right.

If you believe, I know you will find
There ain’t nothing like the sensitive kind.

She gets lonely waiting for you,
You are the only thing to help her through.

Don’t take her for granted, she has a hard time,
You’ve got to know she’s the sensitive kind.

Just a few more tracks with JJ, a bit more coffee with milk, and then I may switch to a more active mode, but for now, I like it this way! :-)

[Flash player with embedded audio of JJ Cale, "Don't cry sister".]

[Flash player with embedded audio of JJ Cale & Eric Clapton, "Three Little Girls".]

The sun is smiling at me, I am smiling at the sun… :)

As to JJ Cale — he’s a discovery of Ani and batpep — he was a teacher of Eric Clapton, and I can say only this — great music! In fact, I wonder, how did he not become more famous than Eric C.?;-) (You can find more of J.J.’s recordings on youtube.com…)

Michael Jackson will have a series of conerts in London in July 2009!

I’ve got the news from BBC’s website: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7925388.stm, but you can also read about it on CNN.com, as well.

Tickets will be available on:

www.michaeljacksonlive.com

The prices for the tickets will be quite decent — £75/ £65/ £50, you just have to grab two tickets and then book your airline tickets, too (unless you are lucky and live in London, of course;-) Btw, tickets will be available after March 13th.

I don’t think there was, or ever will be a person in this world that can dance like Michael Jackson…

(I might be wrong, of course…)

Unfortunately, I’ll have to postpone my dreams of seeing Michael Jackson live in London this summer (because of financial reasons)…

But I always liked him. Not his songs so much, but his dance, because it is truly unique as style. No matter how many imitators there will be in this world, they’ll remain simply imitators, because he is The One… The person, who invented the Moon Walk… The person, who has sold millions of copies of the ‘Thriller’ album…

…And the rest, as they say it, is simply History! ;-)