George Michael - Live In London
George Michael’s 25 Live Tour which kicked off in 2006, brought the singer back to forefront of the music world. His 105 arena and stadium shows in 80 cities in 41 countries around Europe and North America were part of his first tour in more than 17 years. They proved the charismatic British singer still had the magic that catapulted him to stardom back in the early 80s.
Two concerts of the tour--at London’s Earl’s Court arena in 2008--were recorded for a excellent new two-disc DVD set, George Michael - Live in London.
Looking fit and sounding good, Michael puts on an energetic two-hour show in front of a giant curved video screen that spills across the stage, providing one of the most vibrant stage sets this reviewer had ever seen.
The now openly gay performer sings, dances, and makes several references to his sexuality, as well as to his little problems with the law he’s endured in recent years. This long-overdue comeback is exciting to watch and the music stays upbeat and energetic throughout.
He kicks off the concert with "Waiting," "Fastlove," and "I’m Your Man," before easing into a sultry, sleek version of "Father Figure," which shows his voice still has much of its strength and beauty.
"Everything She Wants" starts off slowly before building to the familiar melody from way back in 1984.
"Faith" is introduced with its familiar church organ riffs before Michael sings the opening lines accompanied by several of his musicians performing acoustically. One wishes he’d re-created his famous video by joining them on acoustic guitar as well.
Michael’s better known songs from his Wham! days and his blockbuster Faith album provide the backbone for the concert but most of the newer, lesser known songs hold up fairly well also. "An Easier Affair" is a dance number about "living your life and not giving a fuck about what other people think," which he dedicates to Rupert Murdoch. The concert closing "Freedom" is a great final encore that gets the crowd on their feet dancing.
Two less-than-thrilling songs are his cover of The Police’s "Roxanne" and "John and Elvis are Dead," a strange reflection on the deaths of Lennon and Presley that’s merely a music video, not a live performance.
The camera work on the DVD is outstanding and captures the magic of the show.
Extras in the set include the fun 40-minute documentary, "I’d Know Him a Mile Off." It’s a fascinating behind the scenes look at the tour, including costume changes, mishaps, interviews, and sound checks. It’s a lively feature filled with lots of frivolity and goofiness. One of the funniest bits is when a security guard doesn’t believe it’s actually George Michael in the limo arriving at Wembley Stadium, and they’re forced to drive around to another entrance.
There are also 3 bonus concert songs "Precious Box," the suave ballad "Jesus to a Child," and a less than thrilling version of Roberta Flack’s "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." They were wisely excluded from the main concert as they would have been momentum killers.
by George Michael
Special Features include:
- Documentary
- Bonus songs
