George Michael SONGS FROM THE LAST CENTURY

Contains a hidden track at the end of track 10.
Personnel includes: George Michael (vocals); Rob Mathes, Torrie Zito, Rob Mounsey (arranger, conductor); Jeff Mironov, Hugh Burns, Phil Palmer, Howie Gondewe (guitar); Elena Barere, Laura Hamilton (violin); Sue Pray, Maryhelen Brennard (viola); Richard Locker, Diane Barere (cello); Corky Hale, Stacey Shames (harp); Pamela Sklar, Katherine Fink (flute); Virgil Blackwell (clarinet, bass clarinet); Diane Lesser (oboe); Kim Laskowski (basoon); Rich Dallesio (English horn); Jim Hynes, Tony Kadleck (trumpet); Charlie Pillow, Andy Snitzer, Ken Hitchcock (woodwinds); Rob Mathes, Rob Mounsey (piano); Chris Cameron, Peter Gordeno (keyboards); David Finck (acoustic bass); Steve Walters (bass); Lewis Nash, Shawn Pelton, Frank Tontoh (drums); Danny Cummings (percussion).
Recorded at Right Track Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Phil Spector.
SONGS FROM THE LAST CENTURY was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
Personnel: Jeff Mironov (guitar); Enrico DiCecco, Abe Appleman, Barry Finclair, Donna Tecco, Maura Giannini, Nancy McAlhaney, Laura Oatts, Laura Hamilton , Liz Lim-Dutton, Marti Sweet, Yuri Vodovos, Elena Barere, Joyce Hammann, Regis Iandiorio, Carol Webb, Jean Ingraham, Avril Brown, Ann Leathers, Laura Mcginniss, Jan Mullen, Ricky Sortomme, Jonathan Dinklage (violin); Sue Pray, Crystal Garner, Judy Witmer, Carol Landon, Maryhelen Brennard, Juliet Haffner (viola); Diane Barere, Mark Shuman, Ellen Westerman, Jeanne LeBlanc, Richard Locker, Caryl Paisner (cello); David Finck (flute, acoustic bass); Jacqui Danilow, Marji Danilow, Judy Sugarman , Tim Cobb (flute); Virgil Blackwell (clarinet, bass clarinet); Todd Levy, Alan R. Kay, John Moses (clarinet); Jim Ognibene (bass clarinet); Diane Lesser (oboe); Rich Dallesio (English horn); Kim Laskowski (bassoon); Dave Mann , David Tofani, Charlie Pillow, Ken Hitchcock, Andy Snitzer, Roger Rosenberg, Tim Ries, Lawrence Feldman (woodwinds); Jeff Kievit, Tony Kadleck, Jim Hynes, Byron Stripling (trumpet); Jeff Lang , John Clark , Chris Komer, Bob Carlisle (French horn); Mike Davis , Jim Pugh (tenor trombone); Herb Besson, Dave Taylor (bass trombone); Marcus Rojas (tuba); Rob Mathes, Rob Mounsey (piano); Lewis Nash , Shawn Pelton (drums).
Audio Mixer: Frank Filipetti.
Liner Note Author: Phil Ramone.
Recording information: Right Track Studios, New York, NY.
Photographer: Andrew MacPherson.
Whatever you want to say about the ubiquitous George Michael, you can't brand him as lacking in the confidence department. It somehow isn't surprising that he would take it upon himself to capture the legacy of the past hundred years on SONGS FROM THE LAST CENTURY. What is surprising are the unique choices--this isn't a standard set of standards. George has managed to span and reflect the last hundred years with 10 tracks, few of which come close to belonging to that fraternity of the century's hackneyed covers.
The songs are all presented, whether they be Depression-era ballads ("Brother Can You Spare a Dime") or punk/new wave anthems ("Roxanne"), in a blowsy, bluesy, super-laid-back style. With all his pop-dance leanings and overblown hits, it's almost easy to overlook a key facet of George Michael's success; the man can sing. On tracks like Rodgers & Hart's "Where or When" and the breathy, breathtaking cover of that U2/Eno side project the Passengers' "Miss Sarajevo," George's lilting tenor smooths its way right into the heart. The perfect time capsule for upcoming generations regarding the 1900s it's not, but it does stand as a fine collection of timeless tunes from timed eras.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop