Symphonica

Product Information

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. 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. I 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. Many of the shows had already sold out completely. Prague, Antwerp, Rotterdam, London (Royal Albert Hall & Royal Opera House), Dublin, Cardiff, Sheffield and Newcastle had all sold out.

Nevertheless, you might suggest that given the Dolby Atmos mix is enjoyable, that this is the version I should enjoy going forward. I thought so too until I realised that the Atmos Mix and its stereo counterpart, both Apple Digital Masters, only contain the 14 songs from the CD release. The setlist of the premiere concert on 22 August 2011 at State Opera House – Prague, Czech Republic. [5]You’ve Changed is what I consider to be the perfect closer and, again, I feel the label got the sequencing right when they closed the HFPA Blu-ray Audio version and vinyl releases with this beautiful jazz number as it is reflective and also compels me to listen to the album again. 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. On 17 September, Michael performed a concert to celebrate the opening of a new stadium in Wrocław. He performed with the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra. [7] Austriancharts.at – George Michael – Symphonica" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.

You Have Been Loved was originally featured on Michael’s album Older and this live recording doesn’t break any new ground but it remains a lovely ballad with some exceptional jazz drumming and beautiful symphonic elements. That said, this is one case where I prefer the original recording to the live rendition. 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.Brother Can You Spare A Dime is an American Classic and one that George Michael recorded and previously released on Songs From The Last Century. As good as Michael’s studio recording is from 1999, this live interpretation is about as good as it gets. The orchestral elements are off the charts and are not that far removed from Michael’s original interpretation, while Michael’s velvety smooth vocal ensures that Brother Can You Spare A Dime will remain in the social consciousness for decades to come. Praying For Time was originally released as the lead single on Michael’s second solo album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 and is one of his greatest and most memorable tunes. While the original studio recording is marvellous, in its own right, this live performance takes the song to another level entirely; magnificent! During the second leg of the tour in 2012 the songs "Idol", "Song to the Siren", "You and I" and "Where I Hope You Are" were removed, the song "Father Figure" added to the first half of the setlist, the first song after the intermission was changed to "Waiting for that Day" and "Love Is a Losing Game" was not performed as well. Additionally, the last song performed live was " White Light". [10] Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 31 March 2014. The Dolby Atmos stream, via Apple Music, is admirable but it just doesn’t have the same presence as was heard on the physical counterpart. Interestingly, despite the Blu-ray format being capable, no surround mix was presented, yet, to my ears, it still had a greater presence. For many music fans, this won’t be an issue. For us audiophile-focused music lovers, however, it’s a substantial element for we strive to attain the best possible release. Nevertheless, I may have to try and seek out a vinyl edition, or hope for a reissue, as they’re incredibly hard to come by and go for insane prices on Discogs.

a b "Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 30 April 2022. [ user-generated source] 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. George Michael Releases Piano Ballad 'Let Her Down Easy': Listen". Billboard. 3 February 2014 . Retrieved 17 March 2014.From 7 October concert at Antwerp SportPaleis Michael performed "Song to the Siren" replacing "Understand".

From 14 November concert at Prague O 2Arena Michael performed the song " The Recluse" replacing "Kissing a Fool". [9] George Michael unveils new single 'Let Her Down Easy' music video – Music News". Digital Spy. 4 February 2014 . Retrieved 17 March 2014. Oficjalna lista sprzedaży:: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 March 2014. 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. Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2016 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 13 January 2016.

Notes

On 25 November it was announced that all further concerts in 2011 had been cancelled due to ill health. [3] Eventually it took longer time for George to recover thus all concerts postponed and scheduled for April and May would be postponed to October and November 2012. Closer to the end of the intermission a mix of different Michael's songs including "A Different Corner", "Older" and "John and Elvis Are Dead" was played with some light effects. 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.