When I first heard the long-awaited
Remastered version of "Faith" over a decade ago – I have to admit that I hated it. And
20-million LP sales plus three album Number 1 singles or no – parts of the album
had not dated at all well for me either. But - here in the hindsight oasis and loving existential glow of 2023 – I
gave it a re-listen and was not repulsed.I just had to get used to it.
For sure the Bass on "Hard Day" threatens to burst your speaker cones, the lyrics to "I Want Your Sex" is hard to love nowadays and repeated too much and the pseudo Funk of "Monkey" is just too damn busy (the Remaster has only amplified that). But GM was always going to be true to himself and if you had a problem with his words and sound - millions of others didn't.
The album was a monster - a huge global success - No. 1 on both sides of the pond - it seemed like Epic tried every track on the LP as a bloody single and fans just kept buying them. However, in the cold harsh light of 35-years - "Faith" is a 4-star solo starter now. But then I hear his five-star ballad-orientated stuff like "Father Figure", "One More Time", "Hand To Mouth" and "Kissing A Fool" and his genius for an affecting melody comes screaming through. "Father Figure" in particular is simply gorgeous and given the muscle it's always needed on this 2011 do over. To the details…
UK released Monday 31 January 2011 - "Faith" BY GEORGE MICHAEL On Epic/Sony/Legacy 888697753192 (Barcode 886977531927) is the '2CD Remastered Editio'n with Nine Bonus Tracks on CD2 that breaks down as follows:
CD1 (51:34 minutes):
1. Faith [Side 1]
2. Father Figure
3. I Want Your Sex (Pt 1 & 2)
4. One More Try
5. Hard Day [Side 2]
6. Hand To Mouth
7. Look At Your Hands
8. Monkey
9. Kissing A Fool
10. A Last Request (I Want Your Sex Pt 3)
Tracks 1 to 10 are his debut solo album (after WHAM!) - released 30 October 1987 in the UK on Epic 460000 1 (LP) and Epic EPC 460000 2 (CD) and in the USA on Columbia C 40867 (LP) and Columbia CK 40687 (CD). Written, Produced and Arranged by GEORGE MICHAEL - it peaked at No. 1 in both countries
NOTE:
"I Want Your Sex" is split into two parts on the original LP where it was credited as - 'Rhythm 1 Lust' and 'Rhythm 2 Brass In Lust'. The rear artwork of this new 2011 CD doesn't advise this, but the inner booklet with lyrics does. The original American LP differently referred to "I Want Your Sex (Parts 1 and 2)" as a 'Monogamy Mix' - both versions running to 9:13 minutes.
CD2 (54:14 minutes):
1. Faith (Instrumental) - 3:07 minutes
2. Fantasy - 5:02 minutes
3. Hard Day (Shep Pettibone Mix) - 9:05 minutes
4. I Believe When I Fall In Love (Live) - 7:05 minutes
5. Kissing A Fool (Instrumental) - 4:37 minutes
6. Love's In Need Of Love Today (Live) - 4:46 minutes
7. Monkey (7" Edit Version) - 4:52 minutes
8. Monkey (A Capella & Beats) - 7:30 minutes
9. Monkey (Jam & Lewis Remix)
The booklet is a barely functionary 16-page affair with lyrics, a few photo collages from the time and a brief history of the album and its 5 singles (3 number ones in the USA alone) on one page (his original dedication to family and friends is the last page). There is more info online about the B-sides on CD2 than there is on this lazy presentation (what they could get away with). For those who want to go further, "Faith" also comes in a 2CD+1DVD Issue and a Deluxe Box Set version – but I'll settle for Door No. 1.
The Remaster has been done by MATT COTTON with supervision by David Austin and Nial Flynn. Some tracks fare better than others - the ballads especially - lovely feel to them. And for damn sure, the punch off the boppers is in-your-face. To the music...
You are immediately hit by the almost clinical clarity of "Faith" (the second single from the album released October 1987, weeks before the LP's release on the last day of that month) - the acoustics clean and pinging. "I Want Your Sex" was issued August 1987 as the forthcoming album's first salvo and typically it picked up controversy in the USA for its title and fruity content - the evidence of which is abundant now on this grab-you-by-the-crotch remaster than seems determined to want to kick your stereo in. But far better is the gorgeous swirling synths of "Father Figure" - surely one of his most affecting tunes - it's a genuine wow. And on it goes to album sleepers like "Hand To Mouth".
CD2: The outtake "Fantasy" first showed as the Non-LP B-side to the October 1990 British 45-single to "Waiting For That Day" on Epic GEO 1 and October 1990 in the USA on the flipside of "Freedom" on Columbia 38-73559. It was also included on his November 1998 2-disc set "Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael". The nine-minute-plus Shep Pettibone Remix of "Hard Day" is insufferable even if it has huge remastered sound. Far better is the Stevie Wonder cover version of "I Believe When I Fall In Love" (originally on Stevie's "Talking Book" album on Motown in June 1973). It's a stunning live performance that was originally included as the B-side to the single for his duet with Elton John on "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" - George clearly enjoying himself as he gets the crowd in on the chorus towards the end.
"Kissing A Fool (Instrumental)" is one of those B-sides you think will be a throwaway - its shuffling rhythms like some ballroom dance band warming up for the early evening crowd sauntering onto the shining wooden floor in their finest duds. But I like it - you get to hear the brass and the piano - and the audio is huge. Once again George returns to his main Soul inspiration Stevie Wonder and the track SW used to open the magnificent 1976 double-album "Songs In The Key Of Life" (again on Motown). Accompanied by his lady backing singers and a keyboard - is live version is an end of evening finisher - but it stills feels great and suits his Soulful persona. The same cannot be said for three too-noisy overly-busy versions of "Monkey" that finish the Bonuses on an overdone Soulless downer.
He would make an astonishing leap in songwriting excellence with his August 1990 second album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1" where sexual orientation detractions could no longer write him off as an overblown Pop Star.
George Michael was a world-class artist and songwriter who had a way with a tune, wore his longing and heart on his sleeve and ultimately it seems couldn’t live without it in his life. And I think in 2023 - like Prince, Tom Petty, David Bowie and yes Tom Verlaine – will we ever hear the like of such inspirers ever again...
