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SONGS FROM THE LAST CENTURY
George Michael
(Aegean/Virgin/EMI 48740 2)
You might be able to think of, oh, 100 other singers better suited than this guy at "reinterpreting" some definitive songs of the 20th century.
But George Michael - a pop diva trapped in a man's body - is the only one who's dared to do it, so I guess we're stuck with him.
He does a fine job turning a strangely varied collection into perfectly serviceable easy listening fare. Awash in reverb and framed in mellow orchestrations, Michael brings a breathy, earnest sensitivity to the music. Taking pains not to show off - in effect, showing off his ability to not show off - he clearly loves this sort of material. Who wouldn't? There are gems here.
Standouts include Brother Can You Spare a Dime? (the most passion heard on the album, as if it was "brother can you spare a record deal?"; George is now on his third label in 10 years) and a lounge version of Sting's Roxanne that fits surprisingly well. It's a great song whatever its context.
The odd duck among such other classics as My Baby Just Cares For Me and Secret Love is U2's Miss Sarajevo. It's a mystery why the song is here and its acoustic guitar rendition just sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the oh-so-smooth, classic pop sounds on the rest of the CD.
But when you're compiling the 10 best songs of the century - an absurd task at best - there's no accounting for taste.
Track Listing
1. Brother Can You Spare A Dime? (4.22)
2. Roxanne (4.11)
3. You've Changed (4.25)
4. My Baby Just Cares For Me (1.45)
5. The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face (5.19)
6. Miss Sarajevo (5.11)
7. I Remember You (4.12)
8. Secret Love (2.39)
9. Wild Is The Wind (4.02)
10. Where Or When (2.43)
11. It's All Right With Me (Hidden) (3.26)
TOTAL TIME: 43.11