Greatest Hits from Michael Jackson & Billy Joel

Plus Kristian Hoffman’s Fop Reviewed on CD by Chris Narloch wo of the biggest male hit-makers from Billy Joel soon. In the meantime, we can art. In the age of the CD, and the ‘70s and ‘80s have impressive new The Hits content ourselves with yet another especially thanks to the rise of Columbia/Legacy best-of CD that surveys his solo music downloads, this art form is Tretrospectives just out, both of them excellent We haven’t heard much in the recordings and collects some of largely irrelevant. reminders of how vital these two singer-songwriters way of new music from Billy Joel Joel’s best. So I appreciate it when an artist lately, although he continues to The singer has had so many hits goes out of their way to include a were when they were at their peak that they couldn’t clever, or original photo or other Billy Joel’s new CD cherry-picks of them previously possibly fi t them all art work with their CD. Kristian the best singles from each of his unavailable on DVD, on one disc – you Hoffman’s latest release, Fop, has solo recordings, while a new DVD packaged as a deluxe boxed won’t fi nd “Just The my vote as CD cover of the year for from Michael Jackson Way You Are,” its witty depiction of a young boy offers fans the entire “Uptown Girl,” or proudly displaying the skirt of a library of music videos “She’s Always A long, oversized red dress he has on. produced during his Woman” on The Hits The CD itself isn’t bad either. career as a solo artist. – but what is here is Kristian Hoffman fi rst emerged Also reviewed, the latest notable. during the late ‘70s as the lead CD from Kristian I especially enjoyed singer of the New York City cult Hoffman. hearing some of Joel’s favorite the Mumps. The singer/ lesser-known singles songwriter also spearheaded the Michael Jackson again, such as “anti-folk” movement, and he has Michael Jackson’s “Allentown,” served as music director for Ann Vision “Pressure,” and “I Go Magnuson and Rufus Wainwright. Epic/Legacy to Extremes,” the last Fop reminds me a lot of a typical It can be heartbreaking of which really shows Rufus Wainwright record but with for fans of MJ to see off Joel’s considerable a less nasal and less affected singer. skill on the piano and everyone under the sun Like Wainright, Hoffman surrounds his ability to soar trying to cash in after his himself with lush arrangements on vocally. death. Personally, I will Fop, and he writes poetic lyrics that not be buying any “new” tour fairly frequently (and sound almost as good when you recordings from the late lucratively). Joel’s last release of Kristian Hoffman read them as when he sings them. singer because there is new music was a classical album Fop One of Hoffman’s most ambitious no way of knowing from 2001, and he hasn’t had an Gothic Novelty Music and satisfying CDs, Fop contains 17 whether they represent set containing more than four-and- all-new collection of pop music Back in the day, when record tasty tracks, including the material that Jackson (a notorious a-half hours of content, across three since 1993’s River of Dreams. That’s an eternity for a talented stores were thriving and their highlights “I Can’t Go There With perfectionist) would have wanted DVDs. shelves were fi lled with vinyl, released. singer/songwriter such as Joel, and You,” “Imaginary Friend,” and “Hey Some of the greatest movie album cover art was just that – an This DVD collection is another I hope he makes up for lost time Little Jesus.” directors in the business worked story, however. I have little doubt that the superstar in Jackson would with Jackson on these music have wanted to see his entire videos, including Martin Scorsese Now Playing catalog of short fi lm music videos (Bad), John Landis (Thriller), Spike Now Playing collected on DVD with newly Lee (They Don’t Care About Us), restored color and remastered David Fincher (Who Is It), and John audio. Singleton (Remember The Time). Michael Jackson’s Vision brings This is an essential collection of together more than 40 videos, ten Jackson’s brilliant, iconic videos.

The Esquire IMAX® Theatre is located at 1211 K Street. Receive a special offer plus Reserve your seats AND print your tickets at home! parking validation from BREW IT UP! Brewery & Restaurant www.IMAX.com/sacramento when you print your tickets. Info: (916) 443-IMAX Groups: (916) 446-2333 x200 outwordmagazine.com November 25, 2010 - December 9, 2010 • Volume 23 • Issue 22 • No. 421 Outword Magazine 23