Symphonica

by George Michael, Symphonica Air Orchestra

Overview

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 -- â??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. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	03/18/2014
Label:	Island / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602537699322

Tracks

1. Through
2. My Baby Just Cares for Me
3. A Different Corner
4. Praying for Time
5. Let Her Down Easy
6. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
7. Feeling Good
8. John and Elvis Are Dead
9. One More Try
10. Cowboys and Angels
11. Idol
12. Brother Can You Spare a Dime
13. Wild Is the Wind
14. You've Changed

Album Credits

Performance Credits

George Michael   Primary Artist
Symphonica US Orchestra   Primary Artist
Symphonica Air Orchestra   Primary Artist
Phil Palmer   Guitar
Henry Hey   Piano,Musical Direction
Sharon Perry   Vocals (Background)
David Finck   Bass,Double Bass
Danny Cummings   Percussion
Luke Smith   Keyboards
Lucy Jules   Vocals (Background)
Lincoln Jean-Marie   Vocals (Background)
Jay Henry   Vocals (Background)
Steve Walters   Bass
Andy Hamilton   EWI,Keyboards,Saxophone
Carlos Hercules   Drums
Graham Kearns   Guitar
Lea Mullen   Percussion
Mike Brown   Guitar
Shirley Lewis   Vocals (Background)
Chris Cameron   Keyboards,Musical Direction
Steve Sidwell   Conductor
Ben Butler   Guitar
Gavin Greenaway   Conductor
Mark McLean   Drums
Rob Mathes   Conductor
Lori Perry   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Ned Washington   Composer
Phil Ramone   Producer
Bernie Taupin   Composer
Sting   Composer
David Austin   Composer,Mastering,Executive Producer,Composer,Composer
George Michael   Design,Composer,Producer
Henry Hey   Arranger
Gus Kahn   Composer
Gordon Goodwin   Arranger
Ray Staff   Mastering
Anthony Newley   Composer
James Jackman   Programming
Elton John   Composer
Jay Gorney   Composer
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg   Composer
Rufus Wainwright   Composer
Fiona Cruickshank   Assistant Engineer
Olga Fitzroy   Assistant Engineer
Simon Halfon   Design
John Prestage   Assistant Engineer
Adam Miller   Pro-Tools,Assistant Engineer
Tom Bailey   Assistant Engineer
Laurence Greed   Assistant Engineer
Laurence Anslow   Assistant Engineer
Dimitri Tiomkine   Composer
Caroline True   Photography
Terence Trent D'Arby   Composer
Bill Carey   Composer
Chris Barrett   Assistant Engineer
Chris Cameron   Arranger
Niall Flynn   Engineer,Mastering,Pro-Tools
Frank Filipetti   Engineer
Ewan MacColl   Composer
Carl Fischer   Composer
Torrie Zito   Arranger
Walter Donaldson   Composer
Geoff Foster   Engineer
Leslie Bricusse   Composer
Rob Mounsey   Arranger
Rob Mathes   Arranger
Sananda Maitreya   Composer