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TIT

Title - Older [2LP]
Artist - George Michael

For those unaware, this is what the late, great George Michael once said about this newly-remastered classic of his: “Older is my greatest moment.” - George Michael.

Originally released in 1996, Older spent three weeks at Number 1 in the UK and spawned 6 singles including Fastlove and Jesus To A Child. The album was a huge global success, going 6x platinum in the UK, as well as being verified platinum in another 22 countries.

Written, arranged and produced by George, it sees him exploring new genres as he reflected on life, loss, love and healing. This iconic album is now available as a 2LP gatefold on 180g vinyl beautifully remastered from the original tapes.

Side A:
1. Jesus to a Child
2. Fastlove, Pt. 1
3. Older

Side B:
1. Spinning the Wheel
2. It Doesn’t Really Matter
3. The Strangest Thing

Side C:
1. To Be Forgiven
2. Move On
3. Star People

Side D:
1. You Have Been Loved
2. Free

This beautifully crafted, wholesome and heartfelt album is also the album that many observers initially believed Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1 to be - a relentlessly serious affair, George Michael’s bid for artistic credibility.

Indeed, it’s an album that makes Listen Without Prejudice sound like Faith. Michael had dispensed with the catchy, frothy dance-pop numbers that brought him fame, concentrating on stately, pretentious ballads - even Fastlove, the album’s one dance track, lacks the carefree spark of his earlier work.

Although Michael’s skills as a pop craftsman still shine through - several songs are well-constructed ballads that rank with his best material - his earnestness most definitely leaves a mark on the album overall.

For in preferring to be bring forth a more mature album, George has, in my humble opinion, mistaken slight melodies for earned craftsmanship and thus Older never quite reaches the heights that his beloved listeners had hoped for.

That said, and exploring some of the tracks a little more, the aforementioned Fastlove is also my favorite George Michael single, as it happens. An exciting, near autobiographical set of lyrics built exquisitely around an exciting dance groove, all built around Patrice Rushen’s Forget Me Nots, it’s also accompanied by one of his most memorable, futuristic music videos; with a powerful choreographed dance under rain showers of water.

Moving on and the first single released, Jesus to a Child, also opens the album, and is also emblematic of the album’s beautiful dedication to George’s Brazilian lover, Anselmo, who transitioned from the big A, a year before. It left little doubt that George was now a proud, out gay man.

Indeed, along with You Have Been Loved and other songs such as the overlooked, understated To Be Forgiven and the excellent Move On, they all came together to underscore the aforementioned seriousness of the album.

Simply put, Older is a wonderful album of well crafted songs played by superb musicians with fine arrangements. Jazzy, Bluesy, and R&B tones come perfectly together to allow George’s magnificent voice to sound as great as it did.

Amazon Purchase Link

www.legacyrecordings.com





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