Michael Jackson came into my life when as an adorable young’un, he was belting out songs with his brothers as part of the Jackson Five. Here was someone my own age dancing and singing his heart out, paving a road and a legacy that will long surpass his tragic death in 2009. Enter Adam Rafferty, whose heart and soul were also touched by Michael’s music. I had the surprise of meeting Adam this summer at the home of my friend Kayla Finlay, who had invited him from New York to perform an intimate living room concert. I was easily pulled in to moving and swaying to the deft guitar pickings and strummings of this soulful, jazzy, bluesy, rockin’…well, you get the idea..genre fusing artist.
Adam offers a loving tribute to one of his musical inspirations in the newly released “I Remember Michael: A Michael Jackson Solo Guitar Tribute”.
Something for everyone as “I Want You Back” (you can almost hear the oooh oooh baby’s in the background) opens the 15 cut CD and “Man In the Mirror” closes it out, as Michael’s final acknowledgement that the one who gazes back at us is the only one who can make or break our lives. Tasty treats sandwiched in between are the sonicly sweet reassurance of “I’ll Be There”, the love song to a rat named “Ben”, the strutting -zombie- outstretched -arms -edgy, playfully wicked “Thriller”, the moving and shaking “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough”, and the kid-simple “ABC”.
This CD has accompanied me in my car, taking me on a joyful journey as I too remember Michael.
http://youtu.be/SiXCyISQSdE Billie Jean by Adam Rafferty
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