Ben - MICHAEL JACKSON***

Ben/Greatest Show On Earth/People Make The World Go Round/We've Got A Good Thing Going/Everybody's Somebody's Fool/My Girl/What Goes Around Comes Around/In Our Small Way/Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day/You Can Cry On My Shoulder

Ben was the second and most successful album from Michael Jackson during his time as a Motown child artist. The melodic title track topped the US singles chart and reached No.7 in the UK. (US:5 UK:17)

“You can definitely tell his singing had improved from his debut. There's a lot more soul and conviction most evident on the fantastic title track, but also throughout the release as well. The cuts here are generally a little more up-tempo than his debut as well, which is nice and provides a pretty good vehicle for Michael to shine.”

“Before Michael Jackson became a pop legend, he was a child prodigy on Motown. Ben sees him sweet and innocent, with his squeaky, high-pitched vocals. These do get quite annoying after a while, as do the songs about love and relationships being sung by a twelve year old. Having said that, for his age he was a remarkably good singer and tracks like The Greatest Show On Earth are performed well and are catchy enough to be enjoyable. Ben is by no means essential, but it is nonetheless a reasonable album.”

“Ben, the title track, starts off the album with Michael Jackson singing so passionately; he truly displays a talent far beyond his years. His phrasing and his excellent diction enhance his performance all the more; and the rest of the Jacksons also do a sublime job. The Greatest Show On Earth has an incredible melody with Michael squarely front and centre, singing this with panache. Motown had really worked hard to make the music work while his voice still had that sweet, innocent sound to it.”

Many of the songs reflect not only the poppier side of 70s Motown but some of the lyrics take on somewhat reflective adult themes that are very mortal. The Greatest Show On Earth had this very densely written pop approach, and there was the impression that the singer is very aware at this point what he's singing about. People Make The World Go Round is a slightly faster variation on the Philly classic, with the lyrics changed to make more sense with a 13 year old singing them; references to school strikes and such.”