Ally Carnwath 

Symphonica review – George Michael’s jazzy first album in 10 years

George Michael proves impressive on this studio-live covers set whose arrangements ooze class, writes Ally Carnwath
  
  


George Michael's first album in 10 years is a bit of a fudge. A concert-studio hybrid recorded during his orchestra-backed Symphonica tour and given extra polish, it consists largely of songs from his back catalogue and jazzy reinterpretations of others' music that he's already jazzily reinterpreted elsewhere. Still, it's hard not to swoon at the sumptuousness of its best moments. Michael's voice sounds fantastic, balancing ostentatious display with an appealing vulnerability, and the arrangements, particularly an understated Cowboys and Angels and a string-laden Wild is the Wind, are undeniably classy. Mainly for completists, then, but they'll feel lavishly rewarded.

 

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