The Essential Michael Jackson Paperback – January 1, 2010

This book contains a large variety of songs ranging from the earliest songs of the Jackson 5 in the early 70s to more modern songs like You Rock my World and Dangerous from the 90s/early 2000s, which was when Jackson was in the prime of his career. I feel the book contains appropriate songs, most of his number one hits are included, as well as most of the songs in the Thriller albulm. From what I hear, a few songs that were essential from Michael like Earth Song or Never Say Goodbye were not included, but seeing as this book is based strictly on the 2005 CD of the same name, this is forgivable. Most songs are great but a few don't translate the best to keyboard, but like every book, there are always those few songs that make the entire book worth buying and the less desirable songs forgivable. As for difficulty, this book is not for beginner or early intermmediate players. There are a lot of sharps and flats in many of the songs, which are in the original key Jackson sang them in. They aren't really advanced either like Joplin or Gershwin, but they are on the more difficult side of moderate. One last comment is some of these songs for the piano part include a counter melody to the vocal part rather than go along with the melody, so for those songs you need to play off the top melody and add extra inversions to the notes to add more emphasis if you want to play the main melody, however, most of the songs' piano parts do go along with the main melody exactly note for note, but Bad and Thriller are some that don't. Overall, this book is pretty great and offers lyrics and chords, as well as great melodies and counter melodies for the vocals on piano. If you are a fan of Jackson and play piano, this book is a must have. If you like a few of Jackson's songs and are a pop fan, I still guaruntee you will like this book. It just has a really great variety and his best songs are all in here.

Great hits. All his best. Like this a lot

Love MJ. Life lost too soon.

+++ Excellent item, Good Price and in Perfect condition +++

I agree with an above poster. I didn't buy this album to "drool" over. I wanted to listen and enjoy his music not analyze his life or even think about his passing. Just enjoy the tracks on this record. 2 songs I liked weren't included they were , The Jacksons "Torture" and MJ's 2001 song "2000 Watts". But I got most of those from the net. I liked some of MJ's songs but only knew the most popular ones prior to his passing. Since his passing and thanks to a tribute of MJ songs played on XM Satellite Radio. I now enjoy more songs than ever before. I know most think that people like me ONLY bought this record because of the hype. That isn't true if you never liked MJ's music than regardless of the hype you won't all of the sudden like his music. You have to be a fan of some sort prior to his passing. Sad that it takes MJ passing for fans bring his music to a level that he never saw when he was alive. I like most (if you never owned a MJ album) wanted to have at lease one ACTUAL record of MJ's to remember the good music he did. I'll add that listening to "You are not alone" is very hard now knowing that MJ is gone. Knowing that he meant so much to so many! It was like his way of leaving a final message! RIP MJ

I mean, the music is awesome, but it is literally impossible to get out of the case. I managed after a bit but be careful.

MJ es el mejor artista de todos los tiempos.

Excellent collection.