Immortal

UPDATE: check the first comment to this review for a link to my review of the show itself! Just saw it twice!

When I first heard this Cirque soundtrack was going to remix, and in some cases, mash-up, some of the most iconic songs ever recorded, I was worried. But I listen to Michael's original tracks all the time, so I don't feel shortchanged by this reworking of his untouchable classics. If anything, I've really taken to this energized Cirque-ified remix. It's like a concentrated dose of Michael as interpreted through Soleil's prism. Somehow they've managed to retain Michael's essence, yet add their own flair to it, that somehow makes Michael stretch beyond his usual larger than life; which is interesting, considering he's no longer here. Although Michael's presence is clearly missing, his spirit is ever-present, via his own alternate vocal recordings of these impressive songs. It's almost as if he's graduated from Peter Pan to Wizard of Oz! Sizzling with omnipotence and infusing his rhythm and dance from the ethereal beyond.

I downloaded my copy directly from Michael's website, because you get all the tracks from the Deluxe CD, including the 5 tracks that are missing from the download here at Amazon. I love this remix of Michael's classics. Think of this soundtrack as a re-imagined Best Of CD; if you want to stay true to the classics, maybe consider The Essential Michael Jackson CD. Personally, I enjoy having both. If you're open minded enough to embrace Michael continuing to push the envelope through those entrusted to carry forth his legacy, then this CD, and the Cirque show itself, is something you're sure to enjoy. It's all good to me, because I enjoy spending time with Michael.

The Show

Michael was in talks with Cirque while he was alive, and it's nice to see his dream has finally been realized; even if different from what he would have imagined were he here to add his Midas-touch from his sequined glove. My hubby and I will be seeing the show at the Staples Center, which should be special, given that's where MJ sang his last notes here on this Earth. I've been a Cirque fan for years and seen most all of their shows, and I've been a Michael fan my entire life, so I already know I'm going to love this show. And hearing this soundtrack only clinches the deal!

Standout Tracks

Michael's iconic hits need no introduction. So rather than give a play-by-play of each track, I'll let the music speak for itself. You can listen to short samples of each song here on Amazon, or check my first comment to this review for a link to where you can listen to 7 complete tracks for free before buying. Briefly, a few of my favorites are:

You Are Not Alone - MJ sings Spanish halfway through
I'll Be There - MJ at 10yrs with piano Only... Stunning
Immortal MegaMix - I DARE you to sit still!
Dancing Machine - automatic systematic, dynamite and super bad!
Childhood - has always been a favorite; and I love this Immortal version.
Planet Earth/Earth Song - this rendition weaves together this iconic song with a poem by Michael

Oh, who am I kidding? It's MJ; they're ALL Great!

Bottom Line: I've got my MJ "E"-ticket and I'm strapped in for the ride, wherever it goes; from childhood to beyond! Jermaine said it best, "It's time to celebrate Michael's life." Which is easy to do, because Michael's music instantly lifts-off and makes my spirit soar. This soundtrack and Michael's vocals are absolutely stunning. No, Michael didn't have a hand in remixing his iconic songs, but his spirit IS here, through and through; like a true Immortal. So buckle-up and get ready for a fun ride.

MJ Forever!
;oD

It sounds good on paper...
This is the soundtrack album to a Cirque du Soleil show. But it is not perceived as such, because Sony did nothing to eliminate this confusion.
Actually they must be happy about this misunderstanding, because the album sells more due to this induced confusion.
It shoud have been rightly marketed as "CIRQUE du SOLEIL" production. Kevin Antunes revisits the Immortal Michael Jackson".
This way, people would decide to buy it or not.
In my case, I bought it and didn't like it.
I am happy about what I have already got: the originals.

Unlike the Beatles, Michael Jackson's body of work lends itself to the kind of glitzy mash-up soundtrack Cirque du Soleil requires -- which is a roundabout way of saying the soundtrack to their 2011 production "Immortal" feels a little sounder than the Beatles' LOVE.
Of course, LOVE is by far a more ambitious work, creating new songs out of old samples, whereas Immortal is unabashed Vegas glitz, songs truncated or elongated to the demands of the stage, audio drops of music videos or interviews triple underscoring already apparent sentiment.
The producer Kevin Antunes never recontextualizes the original recordings; he favors hits-on-parade medleys, letting the hooks -- the melodies, the rhythms -- sink in before moving on to the next snippet.
Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that roughly half of the album is devoted to music made after "Bad": after he parted ways with Quincy Jones, Jackson flitted between attempts to reconcile with hip-hop and old-fashioned showbiz.
Here, the latter overwhelms, bending all the disco and dance to its sensibility, and if it is frankly unnecessary as an album -- why listen to this when there are plenty of hits available? -- it's an effective soundtrack for a lavish, expensive dance production. S. T. Erlewine

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