I caught an interview with songwriter Siedah Garrett about writing the song “Man in the Mirror” for Michael Jackson. As you can imagine, the news media has been all over her, asking her to reflect on his death. In response, she turned to Los Angeles’ Agape International Choir to perform a very moving version of “Man in the Mirror.”
Check it out folks, this is Michael’s favorite song performed by the woman who wrote it.
For me this performance brings home why Michael Jackson’s death has had such a profound impact– Michael Jackson was a musician who like President Obama brought the African American voice and experience to a mass audience and now with Michael’s death, a little “Hope” died.
Sadly, in the recent years, scandals, lawsuits and a poor selling album marred the legendary musician’s career. He and his fans hoped his return concert would re-ignite his career and we feel the pain of his death more deeply as our our hopes for a great comeback are lost.
This video reminds me on how he merged African American gospel music and pop music together.
I wrote to the church asking them to post the video online, and they said, “sure!” So here it is folks. These guys look fabulous! If I lived in L.A., I’d go there all the time.
Thankfully, women like Siedah live on, and of course the music lives on as well. — R.I.P.M.J.
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2 Comments
Comments
Oh my God!!!! I feel like I’ve died, gone to heaven, and been brought back to life by an angelic choir. That was simply AMAZING!!!!! Thank you for sharing that Fausto!!!!
They are amazing, especially Siedah- I want to be friends with her, don’t you? If I lived in L.A. they would be my church.
my goodnes, siedah is fierce!
Wow you wrote the church and they posted this because of your request? That is so cool Fausto!
Well thats what they TOLD me, I’m sure a lot of people asked for this video, but were probably intimated to ask. I just said- can you PLEASE post it? For me? Pretty please. When I posted it it had only 80 views, so I was the first blogger to break this one. Me!
Sometimes all you have to do is ask. Siedah’s performance really moved me. As much as MJ brough magic and popularized the song (and the message) it’s sometimes really wonderful to hear the songwriter perform her own song, especially in this context. The raw emotion is powerful, and quiets the cynic inside me.
I’ve heard of how people who got tickets to MJ’s funeral are giving them to the die-hard fans who were left out. Human kindness prevails once again.
I would TOTALLY go to that church. Music like that TRULY lifts up the soul.
And Seidah is amazing… I’m with you… I want to be her friend. She’s wonderful!
Motivate- don’t hate- celebrate!
I love love love this song.
For me, the choir is the first thing i would consider if i go to a church. If the music is good, it definitely can convey more messages than people’s speeches. Well, i live closer to that church than you Fausto, but not close enough.
Hi gents, First off LOVE the podcast! Secondly, I belong to Agape International Spiritual Center. The choir is ALWAYS remarkable and they are a treat to have as part of our community. The entire Center is the most diverse and supportive spiritual community that I’ve ever been a part of. It’s a tribute to Rev Michael Beckwith’s belief that we are all One – gay, straight, black, white, whatever. It’s all good – and all God.
I want to visit you Tina, the church and the choir when we go to LA hopefully sometime in the fall! I’ll stay in touch with you via your email here.