A previously unreleased audio clip of Michael Jackson recording “Childhood” has emerged online.
The clip, recorded by a fan during Brad Sundberg’s In The Studio With MJ seminar many months ago, originates from a video of Jackson singing “Childhood” live, from top to bottom, in the studio, with the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra.
The footage, which is no longer a part of the In The Studio seminars at the request of the Michael Jackson Estate, is truly breathtaking. Michael can be seen in a soundproof room of glass, standing behind a huge room with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and their conductor, giving Michael cues and entrances.
Sundberg, whose personal copy of the footage was filmed on a hand-held video camera, has since commented on the leak.
“A quick word about the leaks, trust and perspective,” said the engineer. “Thanks to everyone for their concern about someone sneaking a recording device of some sort into my seminar. We do our best to screen all guests, but clearly something snuck through.”
“My request would be that whoever did this would respect my seminar for what it is – a complete package of venue, truth, memories, integrity, hard work, quality electronics, music, laughter, pain, friendship, gathering with fellow fans, etc. A low-quality clip on laptop speakers is a very poor representation of my what seminar offers the guests, particularly in my quest to “introduce” them to the Michael that I knew.”
“I am a very trusting person, and I hope to never lose that trust in people, but this was a bit of sting today. That said, do you want know something “funny” – for lack of a better word? I was visiting Dachau Concentration Camp outside of Munich when my phone started blowing up from friends letting me know about the Childhood leak. Can you imagine the irony of how un-important something like that is in the scope of where I was standing? Life is too short to participate in or stress over something as pointless as a stolen clip from a seminar.”
Although the pirated and now leaked audio is (as Sundberg acknowledges in his statement) of extremely low quality, and distorts when Jackson hits some of the more powerful notes, his vocals are still clearly incredible. He does one take and it’s completely flawless from beginning to end. Jackson can also be heard clearing his voice away from the microphone between difficult phrases and before certain notes, which the engineers edited out of the officially released version for obvious reasons.
In the unreleased video, when the sweeping orchestra comes in mid-song – “Have you seen my childhood? Dah dah dah dah dahh dahhhh” – Michael is conducting, triumphantly swinging his arms saying, “Yes! Yes!” He grabs the sky and pulls down like a child. You’ll never see Michael look happier. He looked great, grinning from ear to ear. Truly amazing stuff.
Sundberg has just completed a highly-successful In The Studio tour of Europe, with seminars taking place in London, Frankfurt and Copenhagen. There is plenty more for Michael Jackson fans to look forward, with a number of new dates on the horizon.
For everything In The Studio With MJ-related, visit inthestudiowithmj.com or like the Facebook page at facebook.com/inthestudiowithmj
The unreleased audio from the “Childhood” recording session can be heard below:
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Everyone is opposite to the leaks but consider the other side of the coin..I’m from greece and i never had the chance go on his seminars so i love ti listen some clips..Also they “cry” about a really worthless leak that will never be released. So where’s the badthing on this.. As a fan want to hear every single piece of the work made by my master.. They cant understand that and this is really disturbing.. To be clear im opposite to illegal song market and leaks BUT i want to listen to the tracks and all the material and excuse me but waiting 5 or 10 years for that its a lot ….
I completely understand you , Geo ! What they did was dishonest but the fans ( like us )
wants SOOO MUCH to see it ! And we deserve , because Michael composed it thinking on how we’d feel listening to His interpretation ( btw , divine ! ) .
Brad is very gracious about this, as he was when the request was made to refrain from using certain material in his seminars. Whoever is responsible for the leak and the way it was done clearly stepped on Brad’s trust…lesson learned at his expense.
This video has been removed…is there anywhere else to hear it? It is one of my fave MJ songs!
Brad Sundberg did not record that video. Matt Forger shot the footage.
That’s true , Beth !
This is exactly why he should stop playing unreleased material and footage on his seminars. People are not trustworthy. Shame on whoever leaked this. Bravo Estate for stopping Brad to keep using unreleased material on his seminars. They should have done that sooner though so this wouldn’t happen in the first place. Same goes for Streetwalker demos and other stuff that got leaked from the seminars.
C’mon… “Bravo?” I disagree. That’s a bit of an over reaction in my opinion.
Few knew or care about the leak except a small segment of hardcore fans. It was taken down anyway. Harmless to Michael’s legacy or the estate. I would imagine Brad’s larger concern is being about to share and go about his business without unnecessary stir up/resistance from the estate, and of course the low quality representation of the material. In a less complicated and more sensible world, the estate would kindly stay out of Brad’s business, yet they are legally accountable to certain responsibilities. Unfortunately, the estate’s ineptitude in certain areas including relationships, production, PR & marketing has been glaring. For every good thing they do, they manage to drop the ball so bad I’m left scratching my head at the sloppiness or arrogance. ( I 100% agree with Evan below).
The seminars are wonderful and a stellar resource that only honor Michael’s legacy. In addition the people that attend the seminars all share a common bond of respect and enjoyment of Michael’s talents, and the talents of Michael’s supporting cast. They are smaller groups of kind and knowledgable fans, so it is naturally disappointing when one breaks trust. Otherwise, no biggie.
Can someone explain to me why the estate had that part of seminar removed and why it bad that it was leaked or ejatever. I would love to go but I don’t have the money to fly or get there let alone go to a class
Brad Sundberg has done more to preserve and honor Michael Jackson’s memory with a half-day seminar than the Estate has with five years of mediocre posthumous projects.
Very very well said!
People who attended the seminars were specifically asked not to do this up to and including relinquishing our cell phones for the duration. It is an abuse of trust and could potentially ruin things for the rest of us who follow the rules. I think Brad Sundberg’s response was very gracious and I applaud him for that.
Leaking tracks and footage that are Michaels( or any artists) intellectual property meant for commercial release is not ok nor is breaching someones trust. But it feels uncomfortable that footage of Michael cannot be viewed unless we pay $ 300 or more for a seminar, which for the vast majority of fans is out of reach. The seminar itself may not be over priced, that is a normal entrance fee. But it does not feel ok that the footage is kept exclusively for a happy few who can afford it .
I wonder who owns the footage and if it does not fall under image rights.
Why not make an IN THE STUDIO WITH MICHAEL documentary of all Michaels studio recordings and film and release it in theaters or other mass media. A documentary of David Bowie based on his Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition now runs as a one day event in cinema’s all over the US and Europe. Its about his diversity as an artist ,performer , musician and visual artist and an alternative for those who cannot (afford to) visist the exhibition. I find this kind of release more fitting to Michael ,who wanted his music and art to be affordable to the masses.
All his short films have a ‘Making of… ‘ ,why not his studio recordings.
I have attended two of Sundberg’s seminars, and they are unbelievable! He is a man with a lot of integrity, and honors Michael’s legacy. I don’t know why The Estate doesn’t want it shown. They will probably never release it themselves, so what is the harm? It is not like millions of people were seeing it. I think it is selfish on their part. If they have things likes this, why don’t they release it? These are the kinds of things that many fans want to see- Michael’s creative process.
I was fortunate to see the “Childhood” video before it was removed from the seminars, and to see the pure joy on Michael’s face, as he sang such a personal song to him, was so touching. He was beside himself with joy, and I can tell you there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
I would have to see this. Will the Estate please release it as a single video, or as an addition to his greatest video hits? Please, please release it. That is such a special song that a lot of people can relate to. His lyrics were so special, please, please reconsider and release it.
Is there nowhere at all to see the actual video of this? I’ve listened to the audio (beautiful, even with the low quality), but I’m absolutely dying to see a video of it in action. It sounds very emotional.
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