George Michael - A Different Corner

I couldn't get back to my computer until just now, and I don't have any album prepared to celebrate his life, so I'll just remember him here, with this.  He was a great artist, and it saddens me to know that he is gone.  Some of his music was essential to me in my life, and I guess I will never see Listening Without Prejudice Volume II.  His style is something I will always admire, and we are definitely at a loss without him...

Goodbye, George.  You will be missed.

George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice Vol One - 1990

Already a fan of Faith, and disappointed with Duran's release that year, I followed the anticipation hype of Listen Without Prejudice and snatched it up rather quickly.  Upon first listen, I really liked it and found his growth and development of style would soon lead him into other avenues of music (even some I didn't care for)

There are a lot of songs on this album that I take rather personally.  George wanted to be taken seriously as a songwriter, and the music and lyric really reflect that.  Even though it wasn't as successful as Faith, the songs on Listen are by far superior, and I often pull this disc out at night, whether on the road or in my house, and listen to it in the darkness.  The music, to me pulls at heart strings and soul chords.

I probably could've included the four tracks that were supposed to be for Listen Vol II, but, as it is, the album, two b-sides and one remix seem to be enough.

I always thought the original cover was stupid, so, again, the single sleeves remain king, and throw a unique light on the album like this.

George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice Vol One - 1990

George Michael - Faith - 1987

 

Obviously, my little sister was the one who first got interested in George Michael.  Also, one of my best friends was a big Wham! fan as well.  I simply dismissed it.  But, back then when I did listen to the radio, I heard a lot of this album, while I was waiting for music I DID want to hear (Inxs, Duran2, Wang Chung, etc).  It didn't take long before I started to really like what I heard, and soon George became a figure that I was interested in hearing more from.  The fact that Shep Pettibone did several of his mixes made it even that more enticing. 

Back then, I was hooked on Father Figure (hot model in the video), Hard Day and Kissing a Fool.  Later, I quickly added his cover of Jive Talkin' with Boogie Box High and his duet with Aretha, I Knew You Were Waiting For Me.  For the album disc, I also added his song with Jody Watley and another Boogie Box High track (that really sucks, IMHO)

As far as the mix disc goes, there aren't any surprises on it.  All of the single mixes, including the remix that was on the album.  It surprises me that there weren't any actual remixes of I Want Your Sex, just those three versions.  You would've thought that a IWYS single would have an extended mix of Part I.  Guess not.

George Michael - Faith - 1987

George Michael - Faith Remixes - 1987