By Roger Friedman

Michael Jackson has settled his Neverland Ranch issues for the moment, as I told you a couple of days ago.

So here’s the latest on his living arrangements. According to sources, Jackson is moving to upstate New York.

Specifically, I am told that Jackson has either bought a home or one has been purchased for him in or around Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

The sales price is said to be in the $1 million to $2 million range. It’s said to be a gated property with several bedrooms and a large backyard where his three kids can frolic.

The curious part of this story is that yet another benefactor may have purchased the home for Jackson. Jackson, for some reason, has turned Tennessee Williams ’ phrase “the kindness of strangers” into his private credo.

If and when he makes the move, there’s going to be a buzz. The Poughkeepsie area is a small one, so neighbours there should notice pretty quickly if Jackson turns up.

And that’s not all the Jacksonian news. The singer has agreed to appear on a new album by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas. It’s a tentative step toward coming back to his career.

Sources say the new duet is payback for all the work will.i.am did on Jackson’s updated “Thriller” album. The 25th anniversary special has passed the 3 million mark worldwide, which is quite an achievement. The single may be the first step in Jackson’s plan to record a whole new album. It would be his first in seven years.

Source: FOX News

In support of her latest album, guitarist Jennifer Batten will be performing on Friday (May 16, 2008) in the USA. Batten has toured with Michael Jackson on his Bad, Dangerous and History World Tours. In a recent phone interview last week, Batten spoke of the time when she found out that she would first be touring with Michael Jackson:

“I didn’t even want to think about getting it.”

About 100 guitarists auditioned for the tour, supporting Jackson’s 1987 album, “Bad,” so she had no way to gauge her chances.

“I didn’t even tell anybody I went to audition.”

Jennifer Batten`s performance will take place at 7 p.m. at the Mississippi Studios (3939 N. Mississippi Ave). Tickets: $12 advance, $14 day of show; TicketWeb; 503-288-3895.

Source: The Oregonian, MJFC-USA

According to Global Track Chart, the official global hitlist compiled and provided by Media Traffic, ‘Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition’ drops 3 places to #17 in the Global Album Chart this week with sales of more than 44,000.

The album has now sold more than 1,845,000 copies.

Source: Global Track Chart

Sony BMG have released the following press release, ahead of the forthcoming release of ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008′ from the ‘Thriller 25′ album in the UK:

Epic/Legacy and RCA Label Group proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller, the world’s biggest-selling album of all time, with a new version of the unmistakable classic, Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’. This track is set to become one the big tunes of 2008, with its sacred melody and proven hook.

The never heard before ‘Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008′ features R&B superstar Akon. The track is produced by both Akon and the legend himself Michael Jackson, who has not worked on new material for over 7 years.

Since the release in February 2008, this new edition of Thriller has been a Top 10 album all over again in nearly every country around the globe, while in the UK it entered the album chart at an impressive No.3 such is the demand for this piece of musical history.

‘Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’ 2008′ is the second track to be taken from Thriller - 25th Anniversary Edition. This includes the original album in its entirety as well as eight bonus tracks and a DVD featuring Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking short films from Thriller (Thriller, Beat It, and Billie Jean) and the artist’s Emmy-nominated breakout performance of Billie Jean from the legendary Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special (first broadcast on May 16, 1983).

The newly expanded version of Thriller premiers five tracks previously unreleased in any form: a new Kanye West remix of Billie Jean; a new 2008 version of Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ with Akon; will.i.am remixes of The Girl Is Mine and P.Y.T.; and For All Time, a rare unreleased cut from the original Thriller recording sessions, newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson.

Additional bonus material on this must have package includes Someone In The Dark, Carousel, and Michael Jackson’s original demo recording of Billie Jean.

Additional mixes come courtesy from Johnny Vicious.

Source: Sony BMG

‘Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition’ drops 2 places on the French Albums Chart at #28.

Source: Charts in France

The 25 recordings added Wednesday to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress:

1. The first trans-Atlantic broadcast (March 14, 1925)

2. “Allons a Lafayette,” Joseph Falcon (1928)

3. “Casta Diva,” from Bellini’s “Norma”; Rosa Ponselle, accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Giulio Setti. (recorded December 31, 1928, and January 30, 1929)

4. “If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again,” Thomas A. Dorsey (1934)

5. “Sweet Lorraine,” Art Tatum (February 22, 1940)

6. Fibber’s Closet Opens for the First Time, “Fibber McGee and Molly” radio program (March 4, 1940)

7. Wings Over Jordan, Wings Over Jordan (1941)

8. Fiorello LaGuardia reading the comics (1945)

9. “Call it Stormy Monday but Tuesday is Just As Bad,” T-Bone Walker (1947)

10. Harry S. Truman speech at the 1948 Democratic National Convention (July 15, 1948)

11. “The Jazz Scene,” various artists (1949)

12. “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” Kitty Wells (May 30, 1952)

13. “My Fair Lady,” original cast recording (1956)

14. Navajo Shootingway Ceremony Field Recordings, recorded by David McAllester (1957-1958)

15. “‘Freight Train,’ and Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes,” Elizabeth Cotten (1959)

16. Marine Band Concert Album to Help Benefit the National Cultural Center (1963)

17. “Oh, Pretty Woman,” Roy Orbison (1964)

18. “Tracks of My Tears,” Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1965)

19. “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” Ella Jenkins (1966)

20. “Music from the Morning of the World,” various artists; recorded by David Lewiston (1966)

21. “For the Roses,” Joni Mitchell (1972)

22. “Headhunters,” Herbie Hancock (1973)

23. Ronald Reagan Radio Broadcasts (1976-1979)

24. “The Sounds of Earth,” disc prepared for the Voyager spacecraft (1977)

25. “Thriller,” Michael Jackson (1982)

Source: Associated Press

By Kevin S. Vineys

The best-selling pop album on planet Earth and a disc sent hurtling into deep space are among recordings the Library of Congress will preserve for their cultural significance.

Twenty-five selections were added to the National Recording Registry on Wednesday, part of the library’s attempt to save America’s aural history by archiving recordings deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

The inductees range from Michael Jackson’s 1982 all-time-bestseller “Thriller” and jazz artist Herbie Hancock’s 1973 fusion smash “Headhunters” to the 1977 record of Earth sounds that flew aboard the spacecraft Voyager in the event alien life forms encountered the craft. Other recordings added to the registry include works by Roy Orbison, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Kitty Wells and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

A collection of Navajo songs, Harry Truman’s 1948 Democratic National Convention speech, radio broadcasts from Ronald Reagan before he became president, and the original cast recording of “My Fair Lady” also made the cut, as did broadcasts of New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia reading comics to children during a 1945 newspaper delivery strike.

A recording of the first trans-Atlantic broadcast - an orchestral performance transmitted from London and relayed to the U.S. East Coast in 1925 - also was included because it represented a technological breakthrough in broadcasting.

The Library of Congress chooses 25 recordings each year to add to its registry and preserve. Nominations come from a Library of Congress preservation board and online suggestions from the public. The selections for 2007 bring the registry’s total to 250.

Source: Associated Press

‘Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition’ drops 7 places to #68 on the Official Swiss Album Charts this week.

Source: The Official Swiss Charts

Famed Filipino musician Gary Valenciano will be releasing a new album titled ‘Rebirth’ on May 14, 2008 in the USA in celebration of his twenty-five years in show business. In a recent interview with The Philippine Star he was asked to write a list of 25 artists who have influenced his life and career most. He listed many popular artists such as Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, and Sting. Of course Michael Jackson was also on the list at #11:

“Michael Jackson — Usher and Justin(e) are just two of many who have included a touch of Michael in their performances. It’s like the two best learning from the very best.”

Source: The Philippine Star, ABC News

Jeffrey Daniel, an US dancer, choreographer and singer of the soul vocal group Shalamar, heavily defended Michael Jackson in an interview to the British newspaper ‘The Voice’. Daniel was involved in the Michael Jackson videos ‘BAD’ and ‘Smooth Criminal’ and served as a dance consultant on ‘Ghosts’.

In the interview, Jeffrey Daniel said that he knows that Michael Jackson did not molest any children, that he did not deserve the ‘wacko Jacko’ label, and should not be portrayed as a child molester. He explained that he has watched Michael Jackson do many kind things for underprivileged children dying from multiple sclerosis, cancer and other terminal illnesses.

“I stayed at Neverland. I saw what is there. I saw the kids who were staying there, it just doesn’t add up. It doesn’t make sense. As far as I know, he’s not that type of person.

Michael does not tell people, but I have seen what he does. His greatest crime is his humanitarianism and his humility. It backfires on him and these people have gone after him.

I just feel sorry that he’s such an open hearted person - that he didn’t grow a much harder shell earlier.

Isn’t it odd that the media can be so forgiving of people who are in rehabilitation, people who have been convicted and gone to jail? I just think it’s unfair that the media paint such a negative picture of a person who was not found guilty.”

Daniel is performing the hit records and dances which made him famous at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London on May 17, 2008.

Referring to debates over whether Michael Jackson actually learned the moonwalk from him, Daniel added:

“That is between the fans. Michael Jackson and I have nothing but love and respect for each other. I never feel slighted by Michael’s achievement with the dance because he’s one of my dance brothers.”

Click Here to read the entire interview.

Source: The Voice