Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael CD

2cds-Feat.Elton John,Astrud Gilberto,Mary J.Blige,Aretha F

Personnel includes: George Michael, Elton John, Astrud Gilberto, Aretha Franklin, Queen.
Producers: George Michael, Jon Douglas, Narada Michael Walden, Queen.
Personnel includes: George Michael, Toby Bourket, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Queen.
Producers include: George Michael, Jon Douglas.
Personnel includes: George Michael, Elton John, Astrud Gilberto, Aretha Franklin, Queen.
Producers: George Michael, Jon Douglas, Narada Michael Walden, Queen.
When George Michael was riding high on the charts, only a handful of critics acknowledged that he was a brilliant mainstream pop singer/songwriter who, at his best, rivaled his idol Elton John in crafting state-of-the-art pop songs and productions. For nearly a full decade, he was a superstar in his native U.K. and the U.S., and even when Older failed to win an American audience, he retained his stranglehold on the British and European charts. As a solo male hitmaker, virtually nobody could touch him between 1984 and 1994, and even when his grasp began to slip, he still made compelling music. All of this is proven by his first hits compilation, Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael. Spanning two discs, 28 songs, and two distinctive halves -- one "For the Heart" (ballads), one "For the Feet" (dance tunes) -- the collection is a monster, as impressive for its size as it is for its achievements. To some casual listeners, the sheer scope of the collection may seem overwhelming, since it doesn't just have the hits, but also rarities, compilation tracks, lesser-known singles, and duets. Of course, that's precisely what makes it worthwhile for anyone who owns all the albums. (They'll also be interested that many of the mixes sound slightly different -- as if the masters were run through the antiquated "Q Sound" process that marred Madonna's similar Immaculate Collection.) And some skeptics may be swayed after listening to the individual discs, which are surprisingly consistent works that reveal forgotten gems, and thereby the true depth of his talent. It is true that listening to both discs in a row is a little exhausting, but there's little question that Ladies & Gentlemen comes close to being definitive. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
George Michael's Ladies & Gentlemen, the Best of George Michael goes beyond what the title promises, gathering 23 career-defining videos and performances, a discography, and an hour-long interview with Michael. His duets with Aretha Franklin ("I Knew You Were Waiting [For Me]") and Elton John ("Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"), his rendition of "Somebody to Love" with Queen at the 1993 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, and classic videos like "Freedom 90," "Father Figure," "Faith," and "Careless Whisper" are among the highlights of this worthwhile collection, which is one of the best-crafted and most lavish music DVDs currently available. ~ Heather Phares
Though he made his initial mark on music history as half of the unctuous British duo Wham, George Michael wasted little time in proving himself more than just a pretty pop face. This comprehensive two-disc compilation documents the career of a man who was able to successfully meld pop, R&B and serious, introspective balladry without ever losing sight of the all-important groove and hook.
Thankfully, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN doesn't skimp on tracks from Michael's classic solo debut, and tracks like Bo Diddley beat-driven "Faith" and the lusty, Prince-like "I Want Your Sex" sound as fresh as ever. Later cuts show Michael's maturation as both a vocalist and songwriter, and collaborations with Elton John and bossa nova legend Astrud Gilberto serve to emphasize the wide stylistic range Michael is capable of traversing.
Though he made his initial mark on music history as half of the unctuous British duo Wham, George Michael wasted little time in proving himself more than just a pretty pop face. This comprehensive two-disc coEntertainment Weekly (12/11/98, p.80) - "Soulful balladeer? Dance diva? Michael splits the difference with one disc for each, plus two new tracks..."
- Rating: B