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"Seeing Voices"

Date assessed by the fact that there exists a “1997 ‘Seeing Voices’ tape” (Damien Shields) (archived)

“Seeing Voices” premiere invitation (archived)

I wish to invite you to the informal gathering of my friends on the West Coast Friday, 28th May, 1999 at the Ventura Club in Sherman Oaks, California.

11.30am Reception

12.15pm – Presentation Of My Recorded. “Seeing Voices,” A Song Of The Deaf (Inspired By The Title Of Dr Oliver Sacks 1982 Best Seller.)

Sung By Michael Jackson, “King Of Pop” with Orchestra, Chorus and Piano.

Damien Shields, author/writer, personal blog (May 30, 2015) (archived)

“Seeing Voices” was conceived by composer, arranger, and orchestrator Sidney Fine with two pianos, one acoustic bass, and a small choir. Fine reached out to the King of Pop to perform vocals on the track, who obliged. Jackson’s longtime engineer Matt Forger, who had known Fine for years thanks to Jackson introducing them, served as recording engineer on the track – and other Fine projects at the time. Once Jackson had recorded his vocal, he told Fine he love the song, but requested that strings be added to the track.

Chris Cadman, author, “Michael Jackson the Maestro”

Song written about ‘signing’ by Michael with veterans Ray Charles and Sidney Fine (who wrote Lady for Disney’s Lady & The Tramp in 1955) in 1998/ 99, and recorded by Michael and Ray Charles, with Ray’s choir on backing vocals. Mentioned during the recording of Michael’s INVINCIBLE album, but failed to make the final track listing – remains unreleased.

Michael had a close friendship with Sidney Fine due to his wife Rose being the Jacksons school tutor on the road. When Sidney died in 2002 he left his piano to Michael.

The song is based on the 1989 best-seller ‘Seeing Voices’ by Dr. Oliver Sacks.

A special presentation of the song ‘Seeing Voices’ was unveiled at the Ventura Club, 13920 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks, California on 28th May, 1999 by Sidney Fine. The event was filmed by Michael’s personal cameraman, but he did not appear at the event.

...A film of the event was produced and directed by Abe Perlstein.

The film was in honour of Rose and Sidney Fine and Michael Jackson.

Dedicated to Emma Cohen, Julian & Florence Perlstein.