George Michael - Songs From the Last Century
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Free Music Notes for Songs From the Last Century
Free Music Review: Amazon.com versus amazon.co.uk
Hit: 5 Stars
Amazon can't get its story straight. This is from amazon.co.uk: Reviews On Songs From The Last Century, George Michael seems determined to demonstrate just how much he's matured since the carefree days of Wham!; by offering his own interpretations of some of the century's classic songs, he manages to shake off any lingering remnants of his boyband past. Michael has one of the most versatile and beautiful voices ever recorded--a voice more suited for jazz or soul than pop--a fact that his own records have often only glossed over. Much better, therefore, to have him cover songs made famous by the likes of Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Brother Can You Spare A Dime", "Where Or When" and other standards are all performed to stunning effect, lushly backed by an orchestra that's as restrained and powerful as Michael's voice. He also manages to toss some surprisingly inspired choices into the mix: on "Roxanne", he wisely realises that no one can sing like Sting and opts for a more delicate approach, while his version of "Miss Sarajevo" (from the U2/ Brian Eno collaboration Passengers) elevates this obscure track to the classic status of the other standards. --Robert BurrowFree Music Review: Wonderful
Hit: 5 Stars
Boy, I couldn't disagree more with the editorial review, or the negative reviews that appear here. more. This is another example of not realizing just how good someone's voice is until it's applied to old great songs like these (I can't really judge the more recent pop songs like "Roxanne" or "Miss Sarajevo_ because I don't know them, but I sure like them as I hear them). I am not a fan of most current pop music anyway, so I would probably prefer these to the originals. Michael has a gorgeous, sexy, masculine voice and sings the songs with great insight and beauty that appeals to me greatly. "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" is a song I never even liked, but sung like this, it's a smash.
The reviewer who refers to these songs as "tired old material" - I don't understand such incomprehension of the art of the past. These songs are defintely not tired when interpreted with fresh insight like this.
And kudos to Michael to unashamedly using "he" not "she" when he wants to. And whoever thought "Secret Love" would be such a great "coming out" song?
My only complaint is that this CD is way too short, and only the quality makes it a good value. He should have included at least 4 more songs.
Free Music Review: Song Standards
Hit: 5 Stars
Whatever you want to say about the ubiquitous George Michael, you can't brand him as lacking in the confidence department. It somehow isn't surprising that he would take it upon himself to capture the legacy of the past hundred years on SONGS FROM THE LAST CENTURY. What is surprising are the unique choices--this isn't a standard set of standards. George has managed to span and reflect the last hundred years with 10 tracks, few of which come close to belonging to that fraternity of the century's hackneyed covers.The songs are all presented, whether they be Depression-era ballads ("Brother Can You Spare a Dime") or punk/new wave anthems ("Roxanne"), in a blowsy, bluesy, super-laid-back style. With all his pop-dance leanings and overblown hits, it's almost easy to overlook a key facet of George Michael's success; the man can sing. On tracks like Rodgers & Hart's "Where or When" and the breathy, breathtaking cover of that U2/Eno side project the Passengers' "Miss Sarajevo," George's lilting tenor smooths its wayright into the heart. The perfect time capsule for upcoming generations regarding the 1900s it's not, but it does stand as a fine collection of timeless tunes from timed eras.
Free Music Review: something what had to be happen in the end of the century
Hit: 5 Stars
A month ago I heard B.ferry's"AS TIME GOES BY"than I thought it was a great connection between jazz&pop but as time goes by I see that this "project"was a hard work for Bryan and his friends and I think that it would be better for him to make a CD which will be sth. like "AVALON" or "BOYS AND GIRLS" although "AS TIME..." was a winner of the month.Two weeks ago I heard that G. Michael made sth. like Bryan.In first time I was sceptic because I learnd how it goes when somebody who sings popmusic try to sing jazz standards.You know what I mean ,it's very hard to sing jazz but...George is a very good singer and he used to do some songs that remind us of jazz and that was nice.That was a reason why I listen to his "SONGS FROM..."and I think that is sth.completly different from B's"AS TIME GOES BY".The songs as Roxanne,miss Sarajevo in fact aren't jajazz standards and george even didn't try to make them that.He just sings it in his very special way and in the same time it sounds good.Enjoy the songs from the last century!Free Music Review: something what had to be happen in the end of the century
Hit: 5 Stars
A month ago I heard B.ferry's"AS TIME GOES BY"than I thought it was a great connection between jazz&pop but as time goes by I see that this "project"was a hard work for Bryan and his friends and I think that it would be better for him to make a CD which will be sth. like "AVALON" or "BOYS AND GIRLS" although "AS TIME..." was a winner of the month.Two weeks ago I heard that G. Michael made sth. like Bryan.In first time I was sceptic because I learnd how it goes when somebody who sings popmusic try to sing jazz standards.You know what I mean ,it's very hard to sing jazz but...George is a very good singer and he used to do some songs that remind us of jazz and that was nice.That was a reason why I listen to his "SONGS FROM..."and I think that is sth.completly different from B's"AS TIME GOES BY".The songs as Roxanne,miss Sarajevo in fact aren't jajazz standards and george even didn't try to make them that.He just sings it in his very special way and in the same time it sounds good.Enjoy the songs from the last century!