Symphonica

Product Information

One of the things that ‘happened’ this week was George Michael‘s Older album turned 25. There are lots of interesting things to say about this record. First off, George was only 32 when he released it. Who’d have thought at that time that he’d have only ONE more studio album of self-penned material left in him? What a waste. Some may lament the studio manipulation, but most live albums are created similarly. Truthfully, I prefer the additional spit and polish for live performances can be hit and miss and that’s a core reason why I’m not a fan of attending concerts. It’s a case of once-bitten, twice shy, and I prefer higher production values when live recordings are released.

One More Try was originally released on Michael’s highly successful debut solo album Faith and it’s a George Michael classic that remains as fresh today as the day it was written and recorded. This live rendition honours the original studio release perfectly and the addition of the symphonic orchestra is complementary and therefore takes nothing away from the original. We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen. When in line with the preferences you have shared with us, provide you with information or advertising relating to our products or services. Cowboys And Angels is another George Michael original from Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1. It’s a nice classical meets jazz-styled tune, but it’s the worst song on Symphonica for Michael’s vocal sibilance is far too prominent. Thankfully, the sibilance isn’t a detracting element on the original studio recording, so the song can still be thoroughly enjoyed via that release. Vinyl release of George Michael - Symphonica (Vinyl). Released through Virgin EMI Records and available on 2LP.While I was fortunate to have owned the stunning HFPA (High Fidelity Pure Audio) Blu-ray release, following a culling of formats, I now find myself limited to the streaming offerings and I have mixed feelings. The DTS-HD Master Audio 24-bit/96kHz edition of the album, from the Blu-ray, was as close to having a private audience with George Michael as I was ever going to get and while I have few regrets about downsizing my collection; this is one of them.

Feeling Good is epic! George Michael performs this tune masterfully. That said, I still consider Nina Simone’s version to be the pinnacle recording of this classic song. We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons: Concerning the selection of songs, I find it incredible that Michael’s own works mix so perfectly with the classics of yesteryear. Seriously, it’s a seamless transition between tunes and goes to show just how incredibly talented Michael was as not only a vocalist but as a songwriter. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is an absolute classic and this live recording represents one of the very best interpretations of the song I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Finally, we may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations, to respond to a subpoena, search warrant or other lawful request for information we receive, or to otherwise protect our rights.Through, a George Michael original from Patience , is a beautiful song to open the album with and it’s as if it should have always included an orchestra for this live performance trumps the original recording. The strummed introduction, intermingled with vocals and subtle symphonic elements, sets the tone for the entire album and subsequent performances. Wild Is The Wind has been recorded by some of the greatest musicians the world has ever known, but it really doesn’t matter which version you listen to as Wild Is The Wind is simply gorgeous. That said, Michael’s interpretation is one of, if not the, greatest ever recorded. I will be happy to be proved wrong, but I think the best we can hope for later this year is a vinyl reissue of Older. But I’m not even sure that will happen, because there is a six-month lead time on vinyl at the moment and if it were to be issued in, say, November this year, all the work would have needed to be done already and the job submitted. I don’t think we’ll get an expanded box set or deluxe edition, either. I honestly believe that, in the minds of those who have control of George’s legacy, a CD box set full of rarities is not what they consider to be an exciting project. Never have the fans and those in control of the output been so misaligned. This draw is conducted in a secure enivironment selecting an identifier which can not be used to access your account and the data is deleted as soon as the draw has been conducted. It’s weird; George transitioned from more or less owning the number one spot in the UK singles chart to, by the time of 1990’s Listen Without Prejudice, being someone who had hit albums but didn’t really chart well with singles. Only one of the five singles from that second solo album went in the UK top 20 (‘Praying For Time’, #6). Everything else could be badged ‘minor hit’, including ‘Freedom 90’ which only reached number 28 (‘Cowboys and Angels’ didn’t even get in the top 40!). Some of this can be put down to George’s ‘I don’t want to make/be in videos, anymore’ stance, but it’s still a curious situation.

Idol is an underrated Elton John and Bernie Taupin collaboration from John’s 1976 album Blue Moves. This live recording, however, is one of those examples where an artist records a lesser-known cover, makes it their own, and that recording then becomes the standard to which all others are compared. Roxanne will appeal to any fan of The Police for this live recording is a beautiful interpretation of their original tune from their 1978 release, Outlandos d’Amour. As solid as the original is, the jazz-influenced live recording by George Michael is exceptional and amplifies the song beyond The Police’s version. My Baby Just Cares For Me is upbeat and jazzy and would do any jazz club in New Orleans proud. The horn section in this song is perfectly balanced and I appreciate this as sometimes the brashness of brass instruments can overpower a song. Feeling Good is a nice song, we all know that, but do we really need another version of it once we’ve had era-defining attempts by the likes of Michelle McManus, Pussycat Dolls and John Barrowman? The answer is no. But where Symphonica truly works and stretches itself is with the less obvious covers such as the delicate re-working of Terence Trent D’Arby’s Let Her Down Easy, which fits perfectly with the album’s feel of nostalgia tinged with regret, and, on the deluxe version only, a fairly faithful but perfectly conceived version of Rufus Wainwright’s Going to a Town. His voice still sounds amazingI Remember You isn’t the strongest closer as it’s rawer, from a production and recording standpoint, than the rest of the songs featured on Symphonica. I also find the harp to be distracting, along with the audience, and subsequently, while I Remember You is included in this review, I remain convinced that the right decision, for me, is to omit it from my digital library, thereby allowing You’ve Changed to close the album out pleasantly.