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George Michael News from October-December 1999December 29, 1999
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The AEGEAN site was updated this week with a new design and news:
George will be on CapitalFM from 7:30-10 a.m. on Friday. You can send your questions in to the show here.
George will be interviewed on Radio 2 between 3 and 5:30 p.m.
According to PA News:
George Michael will make his debut as a radio DJ with Neil Fox on London's Capital FM this week.
A spokeswoman for Capital said: "He came in last year
to be interviewed and got on fairly well with Foxy, but this is the first
time he has been a presenter.
"He will probably be reading a few traffic and travel reports and
answering a few questions from listeners - we've asked them to e-mail
them to us."
MTV/TV Guide list the Top 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made. "Freedom 90" came in at #18 and "Faith" came in at #95. (Does anyone see the irony in this?)
Billboard has an interesting article on George's career path.
Thanks to YOGfriend Angelo for telling us that George's album has gone double platinum.
Jam!'s review seems like a fair review of the new CD.
Keep watching your televisions. I recently saw a commercial for Songs from the Last Century on the Lifetime network in the U.S.
Dave points us to this Advocate article about George and Kenny.
According to PA News, George has donated a five-figure sum to a TV appeal for Pass The Parcel. Viewers were asked to buy an extra toy when Christmas shopping and drop it at Boots for distribution by the Salvation Army.
Presenter Richard Madeley said today: "We really couldn't believe it when we heard what George had done - thank you George so very much." He also said, "His and our viewers' generosity will help make some children's Christmas that bit more special this year."
We have added more than 15 new links to the following categories:
YOGfriend Bev tells us:
Songs From The Last Century is named "Pop CD of the week" in The Observer (UK heavyweight Sunday broadsheet). Neil Spencer's review reads:
"An album of standards is usually a way of announcing that a singer wants to be taken seriously, or has nothing to say right now beyond declaring their good taste. As his frown has constantly reminded us, George Michael has been serious since he left Wham!, so this collection of classics and personal favourites belongs securely in the latter category. It's a slightly awry mixture of froth and fervour. Ever since "Careless Whisper", Michael has always been a more convincing balladeer than dancemaster, and the more romantic the number here, the better things get.
His current single "Brother Can You Spare A Dime", proves the point. Michael gives it an over-wrought big-band treatment quite at odds with its origins in the 1930s Depression. As an attempt to empathise with the Big Issue sales force, it'a a failure. Sting's "Roxanne" is similarly miscast from its original anguish into mellowness; instead of begging his woman to stop whoring, George sounds like he's criticising her cocktail-mixing technique.
There are several songs here which Michael has obviously waited a long time to sing. Ewen McColl's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (after "Mack The Knife", probably the century's most popular song by a Communist) found its perfect realisation in Roberta Flack's version, but George's take runs it close. "I Remember You", a hit for Frank Ifield, becomes a tender lovecall set to solo harp, while "Secret Love" ripples with confessional resonance from George's self-outing. By comparison "Miss Sarajevo" and "My Baby Just Cares For Me" are makeweights, a status that the album, despite its highs, never shrugs off."
George is still in the news, with new articles at MTV, BBC, and Dotmusic. (Thanks to YOGfriend Angelo!)
Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Spin have a bit on George's new record deal.
From the PR Newswire:
Deal Brings Artist Fully into the Virgin Music Group Worldwide
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Music Group proudly announces
that it has signed George Michael to a North American recording agreement.
As a result of this agreement, Virgin Music Group will release the music
of George Michael on a worldwide basis, including via Virgin Records America
in the United States and Virgin Records Canada in that country.
The agreement complements an agreement entered into between George Michael
and Virgin Music Group Worldwide in July, 1995. Michael released his first
album under that agreement Older in May, 1996. Older has since sold over
seven million units worldwide (exc. the US and Canada).
The first album from George Michael to be released under this new agreement
by the Virgin Music Group will be Songs from the Last Century, his fourth
solo record since leaving Wham! The album will be released internationally
(exc. North America) on December 6, Canada will follow on December 7 and
the US will release one week later on December 14. This is Michael's second
record to be handled by Virgin Music Group Worldwide outside of North
America, and the first to be handled by the company here in the US and
Canada.
Songs From The Last Century features songs written by some of the greatest
composers of the twentieth century, including Cole Porter, Rodgers and
Hart, Johnny Mercer and Ewan MacColl (to name but a few) and features
some of the finest contemporary musicians. The album was co-produced in
New York this summer by the legendary Phil Ramone (Frank Sinatra, Barbra
Streisand, Billy Joel and Paul Simon) and George Michael, and recorded
by three time Grammy winner Frank Filipetti. Among the ten tracks on the
album are "You've Changed," originally recorded by Billie Holiday,
"My Baby Just Cares For Me," initially performed by Nina Simone,
and "Wild Is The Wind," made famous by Frank Sinatra. The first
single in North America will be "Miss Sarajevo," a song first
recorded for the Passengers soundtrack by U2's Bono and world famous tenor
Luciano Pavarotti.
Comments Nancy Berry, vice chairman, Virgin Music Group Worldwide: "George
Michael is the quintessential pop star. His illustrious career both as
part of Wham! and as a solo artist has reached tremendous international
proportions. We are thrilled to be able to expand our relationship with
George to include our North American companies, thereby providing him
with the full worldwide efforts of the Virgin Music Group. As we ready
for Songs From The Last Century, we aim to duplicate the success we had
internationally with Older and move into the next century as one worldwide
team.
Over his seventeen-year career, George Michael has logged more than 67
million record sales worldwide. He has earned six Number 1 US singles
from his debut album, eleven British Number 1 singles, and six Number
1 albums. He has also played at some of the biggest and most important
concerts in history (e.g. Live Aid, the Nelson Mandela Freedom Concert,
and the Freddie Mercury Tribute), all in front of capacity audiences at
Wembley Stadium and televised to millions watching throughout the world."
According to Jam Showbiz!, George's first single will be "Miss Sarajevo," a U2 cover.
YOGfriend Bev writes:
Music Week, the UK music industry magazine, has made "Songs From The Last Century" its Album Of The Week! The review reads as follows: "This rush-released Christmas stocking-filler features songs by some of the greatest composers of the 20th Century, including Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hart, Johnny Mercer and Ewan MacColl. Michael's passion for songs such as Roxanne and Brother Can You Spare Me A Dime is obvious on this pleasant - if sometimes a little safe and repetitive - album, which will clearly be a winner at retail."
EXCLUSIVE
GEORGE ALBUM COMPETITION FROM EDEN
Celebrate the release of one of the last great albums of the millennium!
Answer these questions and you could win the signed, framed original artwork
of the album (plus signed CD) or one of 20 runners up prizes of signed
albums.
AEGEAN now has a QuickTime video for "Roxanne." For more information, check out Music 365.
Songs From the Last Century will be available at:
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I have reviewed all the links, and to the best of my knowledge, the remaining links are all active. New links will be added soon.
I have finally updated the fan-created links section. It only took five months. :) I am in the process of reviewing all links to make sure they are still active and will be adding new links as I review pages.
I apologize for not updating the site in the last week. I was in Los Angeles last week to see the Feliz Navideño concert at Disneyland. (Chayanne's management gave me tickets for this media-only event because of my website.) I was able to see some George places in LA, such as the infamous park restroom. Well, now the news...
Once again there are reports that George won't be dueting with Elton at Stonewall.
You can read a review of Hits 3 - Queen, with a nice reference to George.
Gordon says that Limp Bizkit's version of "Faith" is going to be a b-side of the new single "Re-arranged."
George was up for awards at the MTV Europe Awards but didn't get any.
Savage Garden appeared on yesterday's Rosie O'Donnell Show, and singer Darren Hayes, who sings "Last Christmas" on A Rosie Christmas, had some very nice things to say about George:
| Rosie: | It's a beautiful song you sing. George Michael originally sang it. |
| Darren: | Yeah. I was a big fan of Wham! And he's an amazing singer. |
| Rosie: | He really is an amazing singer. And you sort of remind me of him in vocal quality a little bit. |
| Darren: | That's a big complement because he's a great vocalist. |
| Rosie: | Have you ever met him? |
| Darren: | You know, I've never met him. And I hope he likes the song because, you know, otherwise he may not want to meet me. I think I did him justice. |
| Rosie: | Yeah, I think you did. It sounds very, very nice. |
I am in the process of moving the Yours Only George (YOGworld.com) website to a new server. You may experience a few problems while I iron out any problems.
YOGfriend Bev tells us that the new "Greatest Hits III" from Queen+ has a most beautiful, imaginative cover design. One of the tracks is, of course, "Somebody To Love" featuring George. This is what is written in the inlay booklet:
"SOMEBODY TO LOVE
Featuring George Michael on vocals, this wonderfully exuberant track was
recorded live at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium,
and featured a gospel choir and the very audible support from 72,000 full-throated
fans. Probably rightly, it has long been hailed as one of the best performances
of the day. Originally issued as a single in 1976, "Somebody To Love"
made its debut on A Day At The Races, and became Queen's sixth Top 10
hit. Seventeen years later, this tribute version appeared on the Five
Live EP, this time reaching No. 1."
Dustin writes in to tell us that Sony Music is putting together a Millenium CD Limited Edition Box Set that covers the "Century In Music." It is a 26-CD set with over 400 artists and 500 songs on it. Fortunately, they had enough taste to include "Careless Whisper" as one of the pinnacle songs of the century.
YOGfriend Angelo points us to the WhamShake! site to see the cover for the new CD.
AEGEAN now has the song list for the new CD:
YOGfriend Bev tells us that the December issue of "Q"
magazine is titled "The 90s Issue", and each year of the decade
is reviewed in turn, recalling important albums and news.
1990 The Year Of Hope
George Michael
Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1
Epic
Less-than-cheerful riposte to Wham! days. Wither Volume 2?
What We Said Then: "The unity of content, yet diversity of style makes for an album which is both accessible and richly satisfying."
What We Say Now: "Not many jokes,
silly title, but as timeless and durable as they come."
1996 The Year Of "Britpop"
George Michael
Older
Virgin
Before the LA unpleasantness, an elegant musical coming-out.
What We Said Then: "Remarkably cautious, having fought for artistic freedom. But he can still fuse truth and beauty in mainstream pop."
What We Say Now: "Constantly classy. A curious mix of suave white-soul pop and pristine love songs to his late boyfriend."
George is apparently one of several artists featured on the forthcoming album from Queen: "Greatest Hits III". Release date in the UK is 8 November.
It looks like George will indeed perform at the Stonewall concert on November 28th.
YOGfriend Bev says to take a look at Dotmusic for more information on George's new CD.
YOGfriend Angelo says that George will not be appearing as Ken (with Barbie friend Elton John) at a gay rights concert. You can see the entire story at Dotmusic.
Not a George topic but important nonetheless. YOGfriend Bev sent me this link and it looks legitimate. You click on a button at www.thehungersite.com and somewhere in the world someone gets a meal to eat at no cost to you. The food is paid for by corporate sponsors.
YOGfriend Angelo sends us to MTV's "George Michael Sifts Through The Century For Covers Album," which implies that Dreamworks may not be releasing the new CD in the U.S.
In case you missed them, Listen Without Prejudice has George's new song, "Roxanne," and the songs from NetAid.
From YOGfriend Bev:
A track from George's forthcoming album has just received its first ever "world exclusive" airplay on "Doctor" Neil Fox's "Drivetime" show on London's Capital Radio. I guess I should be careful what I wish for in future: I have always wanted George to cover a Sting composition, and my wish has come true, because the new track is ROXANNE! It's slow, it's very jazzy and laid-back, and it's just unbelievably wonderful!
Okay, now I don't have to keep my MOL (Members Online) knowledge off the site. Yeah! I get to share the joy with all of you!
YOGfriend Angelo points us to George Michael: Christmas Album at Dotmusic for the great news! The CD with classic covers was recorded in New York during the summer.
Also, Dave tells us to take a look at Capital FM.
And, PA Newswire has an article, "George Michael Releases Album of 20th Century Classics."
YOGfriend Bev says it has just been announced on Capital Radio in London that George's new single will have its first airplay Wednesday 27th on the afternoon "Drivetime" show. TUNE IN!
YOGfriend Bev tells us about the following article from
The Mirror (UK).
"THE line-up for the BBC's new charity single reads like a Who's
Who of pop music. It's Only Rock'n'Roll, a cover of the Rolling Stones'
1974 hit, features more than 30 of the world's biggest names in music"
-- including George Michael.
DotMusic reports that George did not deliver the promised NetAid performance of "Father Figure" to Top of the Pops 2.
From the PRnewswire:
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Mjuice.com, the Web's largest secure-MP3 retailer, will post unedited interviews from artists such as Marilyn Manson, George Michael, The Backstreet Boys, Metallica and Spice Girls in the "Spoken Word" section of the site.
YOGfriend Bev says:
There's a long and well written review of the entire NetAid
concert written by Tim de Lisle in The Mail On Sunday, here in England.
Here are a few selected highlights of special interest:
"Last weekend 60,000 people almost filled Wembley Stadium for a charity
concert four weeks out of season. A further 50,000 turned out for a sister
event in New York. And at least two-and-a-half million people listened
in on the Internet, even though it was a Saturday night. ... The first
rule of a charity gig is to rope in George Michael. He came on late, the
sound was watery, the video out of synch, and he was *still* excellent.
His surprise was the Broadway standard Buddy Can You Spare A Dime. He
also did Fast Love and Freedom with a brio that transcended all technical
hitches, and politely thanked the crowd for turning out in October. He
only erred afterwards, when the control freak in him withheld his performance
from the BBC TV highlights. By midweek, the decent fellow in him had reversed
the decision."
From YOGfriend Bev:
Announcing: some very good news! :o) BBC viewers have at last had the chance to see George's incredible rendition of "Brother Can You Spare A Dime?" from NetAid on Top Of The Pops! All I want to say is that it was well worth the wait, and I hope that fans outside the BBC transmission area will be able to see it very soon.
Also, The Sun reveals (!) that the audience figures for NetAid topped TWO BILLION. Apparently, fans "in 160 countries caught the three-concert event on TV, radio and the Internet." A spokesperson for NetAid is reported as saying that "It was a massive success and double what we hoped for. It will be remembered as a positive event which will help change things."
Paulette gives us another first-hand account of NetAid:
Hi Everyone!
Finally rested after a very adventurous and lively time in London! Cutting
to the chase- I was at Wembley Stadium also! George, Our Man, was fantastic,
fabulous, first rate! He brought the audience to its feet prior to his
appearing on stage. Waiting in anticipation we all shouted "We want
George!" And we were not disappointed when he did appear, giving
us all 100% of his full talent and musical artistry!
Donned in black with Bono blue glasses and wearing a barbed wire necklace
(later we learned, from a reliable source, that it was plastic-lol) George
exuded sexuality, sensuality and savvy!
The stage was his; the audience was his and he commanded the stage like
no other performer. (I also enjoyed David Bowie and the Eurthymics who
were totally pro.)It was thrilling to watch these Legends.
From Fastlove to Freedom '90, George was in great voice and movement.
Lean, tanned and vocally on top, his melodic voice could be heard at its
exceptional best when he sang "Brother Can You Spare A Dime".
Absolutely brilliant. And in spite of technical difficulties (his mike
went out a couple of times) George moved along showing his expertise at
handling the situation.
Unfortunately those friends and fans in the U.S. have not seen this footage
from NetAid and I am hoping that this will be rectified.
Thanks to the producers of NetAid, to the performers and of course to
George who time and time again proves that he has what it takes, which
is what we knew all along!
PaulaK, Bev, and Angelo have some great news for us.
George's performance of "Brother Can You Spare A Dime?" will be shown on this coming Friday's Top Of The Pops on BBC1 in the UK.
There is also talk that "Father Figure" will be shown on TOTP2 next Wednesday 20th, and that details of George's "future plans" will be disclosed on Friday's show.
Here are some of the highlights on NetAid:
YOGfriend Angelo points us to the Dotmusic article, which says that George's performance will not air on the BBC because of technical problems. George was not happy with his performance.
According to the Associate Press, George's manager, Andy Stephens said the technical glitches may be able to be patched up for future broadcasts.
A few impressions of the morning after the night before, in London!
I hope that most of you will have been able to watch the
NetAid
concerts on the Internet, on TV, or maybe listened on the radio...but
believe me, the atmosphere in Wembley Stadium for the UK concert was nothing
short of electric. Of course, this was to be the last big music event
at the Twin Towers before the Stadium's demolition next year, so the event
was even more special for that. And what a way to end: with the biggest
global audience ever! Mexican waves, inflatable aliens, a "We miss
you Freddie" banner -- we had it all!
We arrived at Wembley and took our seats in the South Stand. We had a magnificent, uninterrupted view of the stage and giant screens, from around a third of the way along the Stand, and we were far closer to the stage than I had dared to hope :o)
Of course this wasn't a George Michael concert, and many of the other acts who had given so generously of their time and talents were just brilliant. For me, The Eurythmics, The Corrs and David Bowie were outstanding. During the evening, we also had live links to the concerts in New York and Geneva, so we saw Texas, Des'ree, Bryan Ferry and "Brand New Day" on the screens!
So on to George's set: he was one of the few artists who actually put on a "show" for the audience, instead of just banging off a few "greatest hits". George was introduced by Ronan Keating, and there was a slight delay before he took the stage, which built up the tension in the audience... George's entrance was as dramatic as it was unexpected. Members of a brightly dressed choir took their places in a circle on a raised plinth on the stage. They began to sing in harmony, building to a crescendo... An overhead camera above the stage suddenly focused on the centre of the circle, to reveal the black "Fastlove" chair, with George seated in it!! The audience exploded into cheers and applause, as George launched into an "extended" version of "Fastlove"! He was dressed in black trousers and overshirt, with dark glasses, and what looked like a "barbed wire" necklace. And he was in FINE voice! :o)
After a few words with the audience he sang a magnificent
version of Yip Harburg's "Brother Can You Spare A Dime", written
in the Depression of the 1930's, but with oh-so-relevant sentiments for
NetAid. He then sang "Father Figure", before closing his set
with an upbeat song, "Freedom 90".
And then it was all over, as he left the stage with waves to the audience, and the cheers of his fans ringing in his ears. It was a magical and ultra-sophisticated performance, in true George style!
I hope that NetAid will be a force for change in the world. I hope that pop stars can inspire people in a way that politicians clearly cannot. On last night's showing, ANYTHING is possible. The NetAid Concert in London was an unforgettable event. Thank you, George! And thank you, Shirlie and Michelle! :o)
YOGfriend Bev thought that fans might like to know that
George's NetAid performance has drawn favourable reviews from the UK Sunday
tabloid newspapers...
From the Sunday Mirror:
BY GEORGE
He steals the show from Robbie at Wembley
The biggest names in showbiz gathered at Wembley last night to watch George
Michael put Robbie Williams in his place. Bad boy Robbie headlined the
Netaid spectacular, but he had to go some to match the energy of the old
man from Wham! George put aside his worries over th £4.5 million lawsuit
waiting for him back in LA to wow the 72,000 Wembley crowd. He appeared
on stage in a revolving black leather chair all dressed in black with
shades as he belted through hits like FastLove, Father Figure and Freedom.
He might have been sitting, but he soon had the whole crowd on their feet.
That included boyfriend Kenny Goss and his best mate Geri Halliwell, who
hugged and kissed former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller. ...
From the News Of the World:
BILLION CYBER FANS CLICK AROUND THE CLOCK
... George Michael was cheered on by his two biggest fans -- Geri Halliwell
and long-term lover Kenny Goss. The crowd went wild as he belted out hits
Fast Love, Father Figure and Freedom. Geri sang and clapped along in the
VIP box. "It's a long time since I've been on this stage and it feels
great," said George. ...
From the Sunday Express:
THE DAY THAT WAS EVEN BIGGER THAN LIVE AID
... George Michael, dressed all in black, was for many the highlight of
the evening. ...
From the Sunday People:
ROBBIE DAZZLER!
... And George Michael gave one the most amazing perfomances of his [set]
-- leaving movie babe Catherine Zeta-Jones and Geri Halliwell dancing
in the aisles. Dressed in a black leather suit and sporting Bono-style
designer shades, he brought the house down with his version of Brother
Can You Spare A Dime. "It seems a poignant song to perform at an
event like this," said George.
According to the Entertainment Wire, George has been nominated for the following MTV Europe Music Awards:
The show will be broadcast live around the world from Ireland's premier music venue, The Point in Dublin on November 11, 1999. More information is available at the MTV Europe site. Online voting is also available.
YOGfriend Bev points us to "George goes global for NetAid" from the London Evening Standard.
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