Now Available in Stores and Online -- MICHAEL JACKSON – BAD: 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition 3CD + DVD (Epic/Legacy) (Review)

BAD 25^TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION IS NOW AVAILABLE

 Buy Now from Amazon for only $35.88.

September 18^th marked the release of Michael Jackson BAD25, which celebrates the legendary album and record breaking BAD tour. Featured in the deluxe package, are three CDs, two collectible booklets, and the first ever authorized DVD release of a concert from the record breaking BAD World Tour – the July 16, 1988 sold out Wembley Stadium show in London.

Filled with previously re-mastered versions of iconic hits and un-released recordings from the King Of Pop, the BAD25 anniversary deluxe edition CDs and DVD will include the following:

CD one features re-mastered versions of Michael's biggest hits on the original BAD album, including, "Smooth Criminal,"  "Man In The Mirror," “Bad,” “Another Part of Me,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and "Dirty Diana" arranged in the same sequence as they appeared on the original album released 25 years ago. “Leave Me Alone” was added to the album as a bonus track following its initial release and has been included on the disc.

CD two offers fans a rare listen to thirteen additional tracks, 6 of which are previously unreleased demo recordings created at Michael’s personal studio built at his then-home on Hayvenhurst Avenue in Encino, California. Also included are all three bonus tracks from the 2001 expanded edition of BAD, the previously un-released French version of Michael performing the classic, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” a high  power version of “Speed Demon” remixed by Nero and the brand new remix of “Bad” worked on as an electrifying collaboration between Pitbull and Dutch DJ Afrojack.

Recordings included in this package reflect the songs and spirit of Michael Jackson’s artistry during BAD’s recording sessions and have been selected to show the different stages of how Michael’s songwriting and recording genius took shape. Some tracks are so complete that any other artist but Michael Jackson – who worked tirelessly to make sure his songs reflected his vision – might consider them finished tracks. Others are less complete but offer insight into Michael’s creative process in its various stages. Included is the demo, “Al Capone,” an early incarnation of what ultimately became “Smooth Criminal,” “Don’t Be Messin’ Around,” an example of a more complete demo, and a song initially titled, “Song Groove.” That song later became known as “Abortion Papers” which according to Michael’s own records, he spent considerable time in weighing how best to thoughtfully address something that was, and remains, a very personal and sensitive issue.

A true highlight of the package is CD three and the DVD – the never seen before live DVD and its accompanying music CD of Michael’s legendary July 16, 1988 concert at Wembley Stadium. The concert is not a compilation of performances, but rather one complete show, exactly as Michael performed it for Prince Charles, Princess Diana and the 72,000 fans who were in the audience for that night’s sold out show. This show was one of the seven record-breaking nights played at the venue attended by more than half a million people – three times that many people tried to purchase tickets. The DVD was sourced from Michael Jackson’s personal VHS copy of the performance as shown on the JumboTrons during the concert. This footage was only recently unearthed and is the only known copy of the show to exist. The visuals have now been restored and the audio quality enhanced so that fans can share in the excitement of that famous night in 5.1 surround sound taken from the original multitrack recordings made that night. 

In addition to the complete Wembley Show, the DVD will also contain “The Way You Make Me Feel” from Michael’s July 15^th performance at Wembley Stadium. This is the only song not performed on July 16^th due to the late start of that night’s show. Also included are the thrilling early performances of “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Bad” from the Yokohama Stadium performance in September of 1987 during the first leg of the BAD World Tour.

BAD25 – COMPLETE TRACKLISTING:

DELUXE BOX TRACK LISTING

CD ONE – Original Album

1. Bad

2. The Way You Make Me Feel

3. Speed Demon

4. Liberian Girl

5. Just Good Friends

6. Another Part Of Me

7. Man In The Mirror

8. I Just Can’t Stop Lovin’ You

9. Dirty Diana

10. Smooth Criminal

11. Leave Me Alone

CD TWO – Bonus Tracks, Unreleased Tracks, Demos, Remixes

1. Don’t Be Messin’ Around

2. I’m So Blue

3. Song Groove (A/K/A Abortion Papers)

4. Free

5. Price Of Fame

6. Al Capone

7. Streetwalker

8. Fly Away

9. Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu (I Just Can't Stop Loving You, Spanish Version)

10. Je Ne Veux Pas La Fin De Nous (I Just Can't Stop Loving You, French Version)

11. Bad (REMIX BY AFROJACK FEATURING PITBULL - DJ BUDDHA EDIT)

12. Speed Demon (REMIX BY NERO)

13. Bad (REMIX BY AFROJACK - CLUB MIX)

CD THREE – CD Live at Wembley Stadium July 16, 1988

1. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

2. This Place Hotel

3. Another Part Of Me

4. I Just Can't Stop Loving You

5. She's Out Of My Life

6. I Want You Back / The Love You Save / I'll Be There

7. Rock With You

8. Human Nature

9. Smooth Criminal

10. Dirty Diana

11. Thriller

12. Working Day And Night

13. Beat It

14. Billie Jean

15. Bad

16. Man In The Mirror

DVD – DVD Live at Wembley Stadium July 16, 1988

1. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

2. This Place Hotel

3. Another Part Of Me

4. I Just Can't Stop Loving You

5. She's Out Of My Life

6. I Want You Back / The Love You Save / I'll Be There

7. Rock With You

8. Human Nature

9. Smooth Criminal

10. Dirty Diana

11. Thriller

12. Bad Groove (the Band Jam section)

13. Working Day And Night

14. Beat It

15. Billie Jean

16. Bad

17. Man In The Mirror (Encore)

And Bonus Tracks Include: 

1.     The Way You Make Me Feel (Performed at Wembley the previous night, July 15, 1988)

2.     I Just Can’t Stop Loving You/Bad (Performed at Yokohama Stadium, September, 1987)

Don't forget to follow on Facebook at --  http://www.facebook.com/michaeljackson.

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My Thoughts:

I recently listened to the album online as part of my review.  At first, I thought that I was getting old, as I grew up listening to Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, with the Bad album being my second favorite next to Thriller.  Then, I thought about how we lost Michael Jackson too soon.  I really thought that his comeback tour would have been amazing and that we would be listening to new and amazing music from the King of Pop.  But, as I sat listening, I realized (a) I am not getting any younger and (b) we can still enjoy the King of Pop's music that he left behind, as each and every song are hits. 

What I liked best about this new box set is that it contains never before seen footage and songs from Michael Jackson.  As I listened to each song, I couldn't help but reminisce about my childhood and how I used to lay in my room on the bed and listen to his slow songs, and then when his pop songs came on, I couldn't help but get up and dance.  And, now, 25 years after Bad was released, I am still finding myself dancing along to Michael Jackson's music. 

Don't ask me to choose a favorite song, as I love them all.  I especially loved when he turned his hit songs into movie style music videos.  With all the other artists who followed Michael Jackson, none could transcend music among all races like the King of Pop did.  He is the one and only, and can now be remembered again with this must have box set for true Michael Jackson fans.

Disclosure: I worked with One Media Squared on this campaign and was given the opportunity to listen to the track son this new CD release. The views above are mine and mine alone.