Customer Reviews

Faith (2 CD Remastered Edition)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The album 'Faith' is a classic/landmark debut solo release by the talented singer-songwriter, George Michael in 1987, having just left his popular band Wham (George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley). The album 'Faith' was a worldwide instant success/smash, selling over 20 million copies & spawning 5 number one chart hits. The album also went to win a Grammy for album of the year. This 'Faith Special Edition' release has 2 CDs, 1 DVD & 40 page hardbound book with exclusive interview as well as rare photos. Disc 1 has 'Faith' album 10 tracks (2010 remastered versions). The production/sound quality is great as compared to that of my original Vinyl LP/Album I bought in 1987. With the hits "Faith", "Father Figure", "I Want Your Sex" (this song reached number one with minimal airplay/videoplay as the song was banned!), "One More Try" & "Kissing A Fool", one can't go wrong. Disc 2 (9 tracks, 2010 remastered versions) has great instrumentals ("Faith" & "Kissing A Fool"), great & rare remixes ("Hard Day", Shep Pettibone Remix, "Monkey", Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Remix), rare versions ("Monkey", great Maxi single, "Monkey", amazing alla cappella version & "Love's In Need Of Love Today, great live performance) & B-sides "Fantasy" & "I Believe(When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever"). The DVD has music videos of hits "I Want Your Sex" (2 versions : censored & uncensored versions, this is my first look as to what caused its banning in 1987),"Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", "Monkey" & "Kissing A Fool", promotional music videos as well as the 1987 Channel 4, UK 60 minutes interview. On overall, this is a great 're-issue' of George Michael's classic/landmark album, a must for his fans & hopefully acquiring new ones as well, a highly recommended listening & viewing.

Remastered 24 years after it's release, 'Faith' 2011 style has certainly met with disappointment. It's fair to say I was expecting one of those boom-boom, highly compressed efforts that are sadly the norm these days. Recent reissues from the likes of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet have been wrecked by over-zealous technicians artificially amping up the sound in an effort to make the albums sound modern. Well, 'Faith' isn't one of those... Quite the opposite, in fact. Back to back comparisons with the original 1987 CD show very little difference. The new version is a bit fresher but I can understand why a lot of fans are unhappy with the update. It doesn't feel like much effort or expense has gone into it's upheaval...

The bonus CD does sound a lot better, as many people have said, which is really odd! In truth any kind of Michael fan will own all these tracks already but it's nice to have them all in one place. The DVD also has nothing really new for fans though the Jonathan Ross interview is fun with George carefully skirting around the topic of his sex life. Incidentally, this interview lasts for 38 minutes and not an hour as some have claimed. After this there'a 27 minute 'press kit' for the 'Faith' album and tour and all the videos for the (many) hit singles from the album. Obviously the videos have appeared on video and DVD umpteen times and are all a bit one-note, like they were all shot on the same day! Again, though, the DVD wouldn't be complete without them.

I quite liked the packaging. The CDs and DVD are encased in a 40 page hardbacked book with itself rests in a good quality slipcase. The 'book' features a recent interview with George which is pretty good though he manages to take a few more potshots at his most successful album. I know 'Faith' isn't perfect but Michael is very dismissive of the whole thing, which perhaps isn't what's needed on this expensive reissue! To my mind, I'd much rather have 'Faith' over his 'serious artist' follow-up 'Listen Without Predudice Vol 1' (which he also poo-poos in the interview!) or the later overblown, overlong 'Patience' any day of the week. It's sad he feels the need to pour scorn on the project still. I know he claims to have been unhappy during the recording of the album and especially on the lengthy world tour that followed, but he's always been a snotty, miserable git anyway, so why single 'Faith' out?! Like it or not, this was his last great pop album. He's spent the last 20-odd years avoiding what he does best. Simple pop songs that sound somehow familiar. And though 'Faith' is good, his last Wham! album, 'Make It Big' beats it into fits for quality pop material!

So, this package has divided fans for different reasons. I agree the remastering could have been better but it's not as unlistenable as some may claim and the DVD is decent and well put together and the book is good too. I'm sure there'll be another revamp one day anyway. Hopefully it won't take another 24 years, though!

There is no denying that "Faith" was George Michael's Magnum Opus. During the 1980's when I was mostly indulging in the New Wave/ Punk music of the day, even I stopped and paid attention to this CD. It's got everything. It's marvelously produced, the songs are sharp, clean and beautiful. Michael's voice is perfect. What's not to love about "Faith?"

This remastered version is near perfect. Crisp, classic pop that people will still be listening to in a hundred years. I listened to this new version just last night and realized that it indeed holds up. The music is top notch. Not to dismiss Mr. Michael's projects since this one, but "Faith" is the one we will all remember.

Faith is a Masterwork in a class all by itself. Invest in this remastered version with extra tracks with confidence. You will not be disappointed.

It is hard to believe that lately George Michael has been recognized not for his hits like Father Figure, or his class act days as a part of Wham!, but for more of his personal eras of heartbreak from sveral arrests with the law from drunk driving, to having a public tryst in one of London's parks. Yet with all the drama, it is still hard to believe that it has been 25 years since George wanted to cut the ties that binded him between an artist, and as a teen idol. Nevertheless, he was able to make his way, and deliver one of the most iconic records that not only defined him as a artist, but shaped the mold into a icon. When Faith was unveiled in 1987, and I Want Your Sex was a hit, he was definitely one of the poster boys for what music was like back in the 80's. Now, there is a new chance for people to rediscover George's Faith.

The 2011 re-release of George Michael's Faith sounds better than it did when it came out. The album has not only expanded by making the songs sound better, but include some fashionable remixes of the original faithfully made songs. The album includes still some of the most passionate songs George had ever done from his smashes like I Want Your Sex, to the intimate Father Figure, to the somber and soulful Kissing A Fool. Every song feels like a treat all over again. Yet, while it is great hearing what made George Michael, a icon, there are a few disadvantages to the album. While it is great hearing these class acts again, I was a bit upset that there could've been his videos displayed on the collection. Unlike the Whitney Houston debut album re-release last year, where the price was not that expensive, it sadly costs an extra few dollars to get the videos in a expanded version of the album. Still, for any George Michael fan, it is worth the money, but I just wish that it could've been a bit cheaper in price.

Still, all in all, with Faith winning George his only Album Of The Year Grammy, and becoming the first album to have 6 #1 hits, there are so many people whom have written George off in this era of raunchy acts like Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert as someone whom is tamed, what George had then as he still does is talent, and a soulful voice to match. If you've never owned George's Faith album, I definitely still recommend you own this as a part of your music library, and if you've bought the album then, get this re-release is still faithful in song. While George Michael hasn't made a faithful record in awhile, this should tide fans over until the next album comes around.

Album Cover: B+

Songs: B+

Extras (DVD Edition): B

Price: B 1/2-

Remastering: B 1/2+

Overall: B 1/2+

Look, let me start by saying that, as a HARD CORE and LONG TIME George Michael fan and collector, I, OF COURSE, BOUGHT TWO COPIES...ONE TO OPEN AND ENJOY AND ONE TO STAY SEALED (haven't done that in a while). But, while there are things about which I am pleased, there are others things that just make the release seem lazy and un-rewarding to people like myself.

A senior in High School and a relatively new fan of WHAM!, I was so excited for the release of FAITH. So, here's how it broke down before the release of the album:

01. IWYS was released (fully intact MONOGAMY MIX version) with HARD DAY for the B-side. That's two tracks released. (I would come to understand that the vinyl version of the album simply could not accommodate the entire MONOGAMY MIX of IWYS. BUT, the cassette and CD Singles DID and cassette and CD albums COULD HAVE (in my opinion). SO, why would IWYS not be "reconnected" for those formats for the album?!?

02. FAITH, the single, was released with HAND TO MOUTH as the B-side. That's a total of four tracks released.

With four tracks from the album already out, I was disappointed to already have pretty much heard half of the album (considering that one of the tracks was a REMIX of HARD DAY), when I finally held the cassette and read the titles of the other songs.

So, there we were. When all was said and done, the release of the album only really meant five new tracks.

As far as the album itself is concerned, I faced an interesting dilemma (which would repeat itself with subsequent George Michael albums). The thing I DIDN'T like about the album was the same I DID like about the album. It felt like it had a little bit of everything, yet I also felt that there was a huge lack of cohesion between the tracks. FAITH, the song, made great use of an acoustic sound. KISSING A FOOL was a wonderful jazz track. ONE MORE TRY was a heart-breaker of a ballad, etc. The record felt more like a buffet. For example, when I listened to KISSING A FOOL, I was to hear more "jazzy" stuff, etc.

All of this having been said, FAITH changed my life and went on to conquer the world and change the face of POP MUSIC forever!!!

Now, here are my feelings about the BONUS DISC and DVD considering that I went on to get my hands on any and every 7" record, 12" record, 3" CD Single, and 5" CD Single I could.

01. FAITH (Instrumental) - Great choice! The only other time I saw this on CD was on a very rare import version of the album.

02. FANTASY - Poor choice! This song was already released in the UK as the B-side to WAITING FOR THAT DAY, then in the US as the B-side to FREEDOM '90, then as one of the B-sides on the UK CD single for DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME. Then, it was included on the US version of LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE BEST OF GEORGE MICHAEL.

03. HARD DAY (Shep Pettibone Mix) - OK choice! The version included on the FAITH album was an edited version of this mix (so we have already heard most of it). HOWEVER, there was a SPECIAL 12" Single released that included this same, full version. Also, this same remix was included on a rare, import CD Single for the song, FAITH. In my opinion, a better choice would have been the Shep Pettibone 7" remix of this song which was included on the aforementioned Special 12" release. As far as I have seen, this much rarer mix was never released on CD or on any other collection, etc.

04. I BELIEVE WHEN I FALL IN LOVE - Poor choice! This track was already released as one of the B-sides on the US and UK CD Singles for DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME.

05. KISSING A FOOL (Instrumental) - Good choice! So far, FANTASY and I BELIEVE were not even FAITH related/time period material. Now, we're back on track. This was included on the 12" single and 3" single, which were still pretty rare.

06. LOVE'S IN NEED OF LOVE TODAY - Good choice! This had already been included as a B-side to FATHER FIGURE.

Tracks 7-9. Remixes of MONKEY - Poor choices! These versions had already been released in, at least, one of the multiple formats used at the time. Then, the 7" single version was on LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. In my opinion, a much better choice would have been the DUB VERSION. I only saw it in one place, the PROMO CD single for MONKEY (which included the US Tour dates for FAITH). Humorously, long before I had the money for a CD player, I bought this PROMO CD Single at a record convention, back when I lived in Philly. It was the very first CD I ever owned. The DUB VERSION was unique to the other remixes, yet was fully viable as a self contained song (in other words, all of the song was there...lyrics, chorus, and a very cool and different bridge).

As far as the DVD is concerned, I loved the MUSIC, MONEY, LOVE, FAITH special (I probably have it on VHS somewhere...with lots of commercials...thank you, MTV). Plus, I never saw the other special. So, I'm very pleased to have those shows!

The intro commentary, in the booklet, was very interesting! I didn't see the need for the "reverse-preachy" comments, seeming to put down those who might not have been big fans of media with such overt sexuality.

I REALLY enjoyed the actually interview itself. It's so cool to hear George's thoughts on the MUSIC and what went into it and his feelings and processing of the whole time period, etc. Also, I really like the packaging and pictures, etc.

It's so sad that George Michael's career pretty much tanked, in the US, after the whole FAITH period, yet the rest of the world tracked along right with him the whole rest of the way.

Ironically, I continue to use that to my advantage. As a singer, I have performed many of the "unknown/non-popular" George Michael songs, and people love them. I'm always getting asked WHO'S SONG IS THAT, IT'S BEAUTIFUL? I love to smile and say IT'S A GEORGE MICHAEL SONG! People's mouths always drop!

In 1987 George Michael having just recently split from WHAM! created without a dobut one of the most influential versatile and creative pop/R&B albums out there. Now with a nice re-issue including some nice bonus tracks including some rare instrumentals and remixes George Michael's Landmark Opus Faith gets even more of the love it deserves. 1 of the reasons this album still gets such critical respect is because this remains one of the most brilliantly arranged written and performed 80's album out there with each song getting better and better upon repeat listens. There's also a fine line drawn between the up-tempo funk material like tracks such as Faith, Hard Day Monkey and I want your sex pts 1&2 and the delicate passionate Ballads such as Father Figure ,Kissing a fool and one more try. Adding that George is a wondeful singer who a powerful and rich range and the strong unique mood and tone of each track and that the album is tightly constructed with aboslutely no filler poking out and you have a bona-fide masterpiece on your hands. My track-by track rating goes like this

1. Faith 5/5 great production catchy lyrics and awesome opening with the organ piece

2. Father figure 4.5/5 Excellent gospel feel to it and really moving eleagant lyrics and a great chrous

3. I want your Sex pts.1&2 5/5 Brilliant electric-style production terrific lyrics great vocals and leads into pt. 2 perfectly

4. One more try 4/5 a nice soulful feel thanks to the keyboards and george's lyrics and vocals are raw and full of emotion

5. Hard Day 5/5 fantastic production catchy ,witty lyrics and a great chrous

6. Hand to Mouth 5/5 great social commentary track with subtle ,haunting lyrics and excellent haunting production as well.

7. Look at your Hands 5/5 wonderful keyboard piece with raw ,intense lyrics and an excellent vocal performance and a catchy chrous .

8. monkey 5/5 great lyrics and beat and makes a clever anti-drug statement

9. Kissing a fool 5/5 prehaps my favorite ballad on the CD it's sinatra-esque feel is terrific and it's lyrics are intelligent , rich and insightful and his vocals are sweeping and nuanced.

10. A last request (I want your sex pt.3)- 4/5 nice mellow beat and clever lyrics and a good conclusion to the Iwys saga.

Overall Faith is a brilliant album and the remastered 2-cd edtion is a perfectly excellent way to discover or re-discover a classic 80's watermark piece of pop/soul music enjoy !

If I remember correctly, I believe this was the best selling album of 1987, even over Joshua Tree and Appetite For Destruction. Why, well six of these were big hits, and one quite controversial at the time. This album also is fairly diverse, having upbeat dance tracks, and smooth ballads as well, and all very good. The songs "Faith", "I Want Your Sex", and "Monkey" all got your feet moving, while others like "One More Try" and "Father Figure" were slow and sexy. George Michael has had good albums since this one, but there's no doubt this is his best. In my opinion, one of the perfect pop albums in history including Purple Rain, Like A Prayer and Thriller.

Faith is now available as a remastered 2-disc collection, OR those 2-discs with a DVD with interview and videos. The second disc is a combination of remixes and b-sides. My favorite of the bunch is his cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)". The edition with videos is cool, but you know, there's always Youtube. If this is one of your all-time fave albums as it is mine, the 2-disc remaster is worth getting.

I continue to enjoy this album after more than 20 years. His recent concert in San Diego, CA drew as much enthusiasm as the first Faith Tour, proving that he still has the Wham! factor. Love you GM.

Faith, despite its massive success and plethora of hit singles, has always been something of a letdown as an album. Largely because of the presence of "Hand to Mouth" and "Look at Your Hands", which aren't up to the standard of the rest of the material, I've rarely listened to this album over the years, sticking instead with the singles.

This remastered edition is similarly disappointing. For starters, "Hand to Mouth" and "Look at Your Hands" are still pretty dull songs, and it's still frustrating to have the first two "parts" of "I Want Your Sex" (which are really just different versions) banded as one song. The second disc, meanwhile, has a rather pointless instrumental version of "Faith" (I don't mind the instrumental version of "Kissing a Fool", which is quite nice, actually), and, for some reason, the entire contents of the "Monkey" CD single (with the "A Capella [sic]" and "Extra Beats" mixes inexplicably banded, again, as one song). Granted, the Jam & Lewis-produced/mixed version of the song was a huge improvement on the album version, but the "Monogamy Mix" of "I Want Your Sex" would have been preferable instead.

On the brighter side, the remastering is not bad. I know some have complained about it (I think it sounds fine), but I think it's commendable that the mastering engineer kept the compression to a minimum (the songs have slightly more volume than the original, but still retain plenty of dynamic range) -- not surprising, actually, since David Austin and Niall Flynn (both friends/associates of George's - Austin co-wrote "Look at Your Hands") supervised the remastering. Even if you think it sounds like crap when you turn it up, at least you CAN turn it up without experiencing the dreaded brick wall of sound that plagues so many discs mastered these days.

The "Freedom 90" b-side "Fantasy" was presumably recorded around the same time as Faith; it makes much more sense in this context than it did at the time of its original release (it seemed out of character compared to the Listen Without Prejudice material). It doesn't sound much different here than it did on the Twenty-Five compilation.

The Shep Pettibone mix of "Hard Day" on this edition is some two-and-a-half minutes longer than the version included as an extra track on the original CD. As mid-80s remixes go, it isn't that great (too much playing around with someone's new sampler), but neither was it ever that horrible.

The two Stevie Wonder covers are okay. I would have preferred the duet George Michael and Stevie Wonder did on the Motown Returns to The Apollo TV special to the "Father Figure" b-side that appears here, but I suspect that was more of a licensing matter than anything.

The singles are really what makes this collection worthwhile - at least, if you don't already (still) own a copy of the original CD. And, unless you have to lay out the extra bucks for the edition with the DVD, the price of this 2-disc set is pretty good.

Finally, Faith has been remastered! I've been hanging on to my original CD from 1988 waiting for a remaster. My 1988 Faith CD was a "limited edition" because it has the album art printed right on the CD! (something that was not done back in 1988).

The remastering was done quite well and the bonus CD is great! It would have been nice if they had included the DJ mix of "I Want Your Sex" part one. It started with the drumbeat instead of the synth. It is annoying that parts one and two on the CD are grouped together as one track. By adding the DJ version of "Sex," it would have finally solved that problem.

This by far is one of the best pop album of the eighties and I highly recommend it. It would have got 5 stars if they included that one extra track.