The Michael Jackson Reel
Joe Tarsia
Christina Chaffin
April 28, 2018
April 28, 2018
Joe Tarsia
Philadelphia-based recording engineer; Owner of Sigma Sound Studios
Philadelphia-based recording engineer; Owner of Sigma Sound Studios
Working in the studio
"We recorded both albums, The Jacksons and Goin' Places before his [adult] solo career really took off, and I sensed even then during that time that Michael was a perfectionist. After everybody would leave the studio, Michael would stay and it would be just him and I, and he would make me try different things on the music we were doing. I saw this serious perfection in him when we were together and he was looking at nuances nobody else had even heard before.
I picked all of that up back then while we were together in the studio, but I had no clue of what was to come in his musical career. I saw in him someone who wasn't buying in to what he was giving on the songs because he truly believed everything could always sound better, and he was pushing for that perfection on those albums. He wanted to tweak the songs and he had his own ideas of what everything should sound like."
"We recorded both albums, The Jacksons and Goin' Places before his [adult] solo career really took off, and I sensed even then during that time that Michael was a perfectionist. After everybody would leave the studio, Michael would stay and it would be just him and I, and he would make me try different things on the music we were doing. I saw this serious perfection in him when we were together and he was looking at nuances nobody else had even heard before.
I picked all of that up back then while we were together in the studio, but I had no clue of what was to come in his musical career. I saw in him someone who wasn't buying in to what he was giving on the songs because he truly believed everything could always sound better, and he was pushing for that perfection on those albums. He wanted to tweak the songs and he had his own ideas of what everything should sound like."
Words on Michael
"I can never say one bad word about Michael. He was a gentleman, he was very respectful, and just a very loving person. He was also friendly and very reachable. He was such a kind person. As an artist, he knew exactly what he wanted to achieve, and as great of an artist he was, he was equally that as a human being.
In fact, I remember when we were all in Philadelphia International Offices and Dexter Wansel, who was producing part of the album, had this video camera and was videotaping them. They all started joking around and were pretending to be interviewing each other. That day, Dexter brought in his son to the studio and his son was sitting in Michael's lap in the chair. Michael was talking to him and making him smile, and it was just a really sweet thing to see. He was so gentle and caring toward Dexter's son and it was truly evident that he was not only a great artist, but he was a very caring person.
About a year or two later, Michael was coming to Philadelphia for a concert. Well I remember getting this telephone call and the voice on the other end says, 'This is Michael.' *Pause*... He called to say hello. You know, he went on to become a phenomenon, but he was always such a caring, down-to-earth person who took time out for others. I say that because that's exactly what he was like - not just for me, but when I saw him with Dexter's son, it was clear."
Working with The Jacksons
"I will say this. Over 35 years in the music business, I've recorded many, many people and have spent time in the studio with so many artists. From Johnny Mathis to Lou Rawls and so forth. *Pause*... But with The Jacksons, I don't think we had the greatest success, but they were the most fun out of any artist or group I have ever worked with. They are truly one of the nicest. They weren't just kids coming in with attitudes. They were classy and extremely genuine, and very well mannered. You know what else? They were funny! Jackie was a prankster! *Laughs*... I'm telling you. They were just great."
"I can never say one bad word about Michael. He was a gentleman, he was very respectful, and just a very loving person. He was also friendly and very reachable. He was such a kind person. As an artist, he knew exactly what he wanted to achieve, and as great of an artist he was, he was equally that as a human being.
In fact, I remember when we were all in Philadelphia International Offices and Dexter Wansel, who was producing part of the album, had this video camera and was videotaping them. They all started joking around and were pretending to be interviewing each other. That day, Dexter brought in his son to the studio and his son was sitting in Michael's lap in the chair. Michael was talking to him and making him smile, and it was just a really sweet thing to see. He was so gentle and caring toward Dexter's son and it was truly evident that he was not only a great artist, but he was a very caring person.
About a year or two later, Michael was coming to Philadelphia for a concert. Well I remember getting this telephone call and the voice on the other end says, 'This is Michael.' *Pause*... He called to say hello. You know, he went on to become a phenomenon, but he was always such a caring, down-to-earth person who took time out for others. I say that because that's exactly what he was like - not just for me, but when I saw him with Dexter's son, it was clear."
Working with The Jacksons
"I will say this. Over 35 years in the music business, I've recorded many, many people and have spent time in the studio with so many artists. From Johnny Mathis to Lou Rawls and so forth. *Pause*... But with The Jacksons, I don't think we had the greatest success, but they were the most fun out of any artist or group I have ever worked with. They are truly one of the nicest. They weren't just kids coming in with attitudes. They were classy and extremely genuine, and very well mannered. You know what else? They were funny! Jackie was a prankster! *Laughs*... I'm telling you. They were just great."
Video stills from an interview recorded in 1977 at Sigma Sound Studios.