2014

Symphonica by George Michael [CD] Track Listing: 1 Through2 My Baby Just Cares For Me3 A Different Corner4 Praying For Time5 Let her Down Easy6 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face7 Feeling Good8 John And Elvis Are Dead9 One More Try10 Cowboys And Angels11 Idol12 Brother Can You Spare A Dime13 Wild Is The Wind14 You've Changed Global superstar George Michael continues his extraordinary career when he releases SYMPHONICA. Symphonica was recorded during the tour of the same name of 2011 and '12 and was co-produced by George himself, alongside the late, legendary Phil Ramone. 'Let Her Down Easy', the lead single from Symphonica, was written and originally performed by Terence Trent D'Arby. --- Gestating for a long time -- at least two years, although George Michael hasn't released an album for a decade -- Symphonica is a curious way for the pop singer to return to action. A live album recorded on his 2011-2012 tour, Symphonica showcases a singer on the supper club circuit, trading in a few of his big hits, all middle-brow favorites ("Praying for Time," "One More Try," "A Different Corner") and spending a lot of time on songs the audience knows and love, whether it's Ewan MacColl's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," Anthony Newley's "Feeling Good," or the American Popular Songbook standard "My Baby Just Cares for Me." Michael does indulge in some personal favorites -- —he tackles Terence Trent D'Arby's "Let Her Down Easy" and the deep Elton John track "Idol" -- but the context is something familiar: a popular singer luxuriating in a symphonic setting. He doesn't push the limits of this template, choosing to enjoy the lush surroundings, so this winds up slightly anti-climactic: Michael is in good form but he's coasting, doing no more than he needs to, satisfying fans without surprising. ~ Andy Kellman, AllMusic Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE