George Does Jazz!
5
By a song 4u
This album is stunning. George Michael uses his perfect pitch to deliver an album of standards and a rather daring version of The Police's "Roxanne." A smattering of these songs can be heard on George's "25" hits collection but this is the source and the cuts relegated to this release shouldn't be overlooked at all. Recorded in 1999 while George was in exile and on the Virgin label, he and co-producer Phil Ramone deliver yes, an ersatz cd of standards as many artists long in the tooth release, but an album that truly delights. George sings both intimate and full-voice and is supported by a horn section and orchestra and a small ensemble for the now jazz standard "Roxanne" thanks to the innovative arrangement. The late-night treatment of "Roxanne" brings out the sleazy side as Sting intended, all with an air of desperation. Billie Holliday's "You've Changed" is another stunner, "Secret Love" isn't as wistful as other versions, here the tempo is upbeat big band swing and it works, Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is as seductive as the original, "Wild Is The Wind" is as surreal as any other version and the closer "Where Or When" is a medley of this song and "It's Alright With Me." This cd overall was meant as a songbook of sorts paying homage to the great songs of the twentieth century, hence the title. It was released with zero fanfare and that's criminal.
