Symphonica
Live album with studio tracks by
George Michael
Released17 March 2014 (2014-03-17)
StudioAIR Studios, London, England; Legacy Studios, New York City; Royal Albert Hall, London, England
GenrePop
Length64:14
Label
Producer
George Michael chronology
Twenty Five
(2006)		 Symphonica
(2014)		 Listen Without Prejudice / MTV Unplugged
(2017)
Singles from Symphonica
  1. "Let Her Down Easy"
    Released: 17 March 2014
  2. "Going to a Town"
    Released: 7 April 2014[2]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic60/100[3]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
The Daily Telegraph[5]
The Guardian[6]
PopMatters(6/10)[7]
Rolling Stone[8]

Symphonica is a live album by the English singer-songwriter George Michael and his only live album released during his lifetime. Released on 17 March 2014 through Aegean and Virgin EMI Records, Symphonica was Michael's first album of new recordings since Patience (2004).[9] Michael's vocals were recorded at the Royal Albert Hall during his Symphonica Tour (2011–12), while the string arrangements were recorded in a studio.[10]

Background

The album contains mostly live versions of songs from his 2011–12 Symphonica Tour, including six of his own compositions (the rest being covers). The album was the final work by both American producer Phil Ramone, who died in March 2013,[11] and by Michael himself, who died on Christmas Day (25 December) 2016. The lead single, a cover of the Terence Trent D'Arby song "Let Her Down Easy", debuted at number 53 on the UK Singles Chart in spite of little promotion.[12] The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold 49,989 in its first week. "Patience", a further song from the tour which does not appear on the final album track listing, was available as a free download for one week only from Amazon.com in the UK to coincide with the album release.

Track listing

Symphonica – Deluxe version[14]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Through"Michael5:09
2."My Baby Just Cares for Me"
  • Donaldson
  • Kahn
1:56
3."A Different Corner"Michael4:14
4."Praying for Time"Michael4:58
5."Let Her Down Easy"D'Arby3:50
6."The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"MacColl5:24
7."Feeling Good"
  • Newley
  • Bricusse
3:15
8."John and Elvis Are Dead"
  • Michael
  • Austin
4:31
9."Roxanne"Sting4:20
10."One More Try"Michael5:14
11."Going to a Town"Rufus Wainwright4:45
12."Cowboys and Angels"Michael7:24
13."Idol"
  • John
  • Taupin
4:29
14."Brother Can You Spare a Dime"
  • Gorney
  • Harburg
4:52
15."You Have Been Loved"
  • Michael
  • Austin
5:41
16."Wild Is the Wind"
  • Tiomkin
  • Washington
4:15
17."You've Changed"
  • Carey
  • Fischer
4:44
18."I Remember You" (digital bonus track)
  • Schertzinger
  • Mercer
4:38

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[15]

  • Laurence Anslow – assistant engineer
  • David Austin – executive producer, mastering
  • Tom Bailey – assistant engineer
  • Chris Barrett – assistant engineer
  • Mike Brown – guitar
  • Ben Butler – guitar
  • Chris Cameron – arranger, keyboards, musical direction
  • Fiona Cruickshank – assistant engineer
  • Danny Cummings – percussion
  • Frank Filipetti – engineer
  • David Finck – bass, double bass
  • Olga Fitzroy – assistant engineer
  • Niall Flynn – engineer, mastering, Pro Tools
  • Geoff Foster – engineer
  • Gordon Goodwin – arranger
  • Laurence Greed – assistant engineer
  • Gavin Greenaway – conductor
  • Simon Halfon – design
  • Andy Hamilton – EWI, keyboards, saxophone
  • E.Y. "Yip" Harburg – composer
  • Jay Henry – background vocals
  • Carlos Hercules – drums
  • Henry Hey – arranger, musical direction, piano
  • James Jackman – programming
  • Lincoln Jean-Marie – background vocals
  • Lucy Jules – background vocals
  • Graham Kearns – guitar
  • Shirley Lewis – background vocals
  • Mark McLean – drums
  • Rob Mathes – arranger, conductor
  • George Michael – design, lead vocals, producer
  • Adam Miller – assistant engineer, Pro Tools
  • Rob Mounsey – arranger
  • Lea Mullen – percussion
  • Phil Palmer – guitar
  • Lori Perry – background vocals
  • Sharon Perry – background vocals
  • John Prestage – assistant engineer
  • Phil Ramone – producer
  • Steve Sidwell – conductor
  • Luke Smith – keyboards
  • Ray Staff – mastering
  • Symphonica Air Orchestra – primary artist
  • Symphonica US Orchestra – primary artist
  • Caroline True – photography
  • Steve Walters – bass
  • Torrie Zito – arranger

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[46] Gold 10,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[47] Platinum 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Gold 100,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ Release Date. "GeorgeMichael.com. Symphonica [Deluxe]". Store.georgemichael.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  2. ↑ http://www.ampya.com/news/Aktuell/George-Michael-mit-neuer-Single-Going-To-A-Town-SN108053/
  3. ↑ "Symphonica Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen. "Symphonica – George Michael". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  5. ↑ McCormick, Neil (13 March 2014). "Kyle Minogue and George Michael: does age matter in pop?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  6. ↑ Sullivan, Caroline (13 March 2014). "George Michael: Symphonica review – 'Glides through songs like a pop swan'". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  7. ↑ James, Matt. "George Michael: Symphonica". PopMatters. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  8. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (18 March 2014). "George Michael Symphonica". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "George Michael Releases Piano Ballad 'Let Her Down Easy': Listen". Billboard. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  10. ↑ Cragg, Michael (4 March 2014). "George Michael's Symphonica: five things we learned". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  11. ↑ "George Michael Returns With SYMPHONICA, First Album in Seven Years, Featuring Live... – NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/" (Press release). PR Newswire. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  12. ↑ "George Michael unveils new single 'Let Her Down Easy' music video – Music News". Digital Spy. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  13. ↑ "iTunes Music – Symphonica by George Michael". iTunes Store. 25 June 1963. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  14. ↑ "iTunes Music – Symphonica (Deluxe Version) by George Michael". iTunes Store. 25 June 1963. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "Symphonica – George Michael Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  17. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – George Michael – Symphonica" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  18. ↑ "Ultratop.be – George Michael – Symphonica" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "Ultratop.be – George Michael – Symphonica" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  20. ↑ "Top Stranih [Top Foreign]" (in Croatian). Top Foreign Albums. Hrvatska diskografska udruga. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 12.Týden 2014 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  22. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  23. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – George Michael – Symphonica" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  24. ↑ "Lescharts.com – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  25. ↑ "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  26. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2014. 12. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  27. ↑ "irish-charts.com – Discography George Michael". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  28. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  29. ↑ "Charts.nz – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  30. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  31. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  32. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  33. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  34. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  35. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – George Michael – Symphonica". Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  36. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  37. ↑ "George Michael Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  38. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2014" (in Dutch). Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  39. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2014" (in French). Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  40. ↑ "Album Top-100 2014" (in Danish). Hitlisten.NU. IFPI Denmark. Archived from the original on 17 January 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  41. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2014" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  42. ↑ "Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista – chart-pozíció alapján – 2014" (in Hungarian). lightmedia. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  43. ↑ "FIMI – Classifiche Annuali 2014 "TOP OF THE MUSIC" FIMI-GfK: un anno di musica italiana" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. ↑ "Jakie płyty Polacy kupowali najchętniej w 2014 roku – roczne podsumowanie listy OLiS" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  45. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2014". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  46. ↑ "Danish album certifications – George Michael – Symphonica". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  47. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2016 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  48. ↑ "British album certifications – George Michael – Symphonica". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 November 2014. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Symphonica in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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