Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael [Extra tracks, Import]

George Michael | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Epic/Sony
• ASIN: B00000G42T
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,994 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #99 in Music > Imports > Broadway & Vocalists

Editorial Reviews

Limited quantities at this super low price! Import edition of the first-ever 'best of' for Michael's solo hits. Drops 'Monkey' & 'Hard Day' from the U.S. release in favor of 'The Strangest Thing '97', 'Fantasy' & the collaboration 'As' with Mary J. Blige as a bonus track. 29 tracks total packaged in a double jewel case with a 32 page booklet with photos & song lyrics. 1998 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Mature Pop Professional, July 9, 1999

By 

Gary W. GILLIAM "gahree" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael (+Bonus Tracks) (Audio CD)

I clearly remember the day that I had to admit to myself that I actually liked WHAM!. Now, 15 years later with the dawn of this collection I regret nothing. Do you hear me? Nothing. George Michael belongs to that spare club of musicians that survived the demise of their 80's band counterparts (another would be Sting) although one could argue that George Michael was WHAM!, to survive in Pop without a marketable logo is still a feat. Perhaps it is his ability to infuse the otherwise dispensable medium of Dance-Pop with a combination of playful sexuality and genuine pathos not found in the usual fare. Sure, his voice is amazing and flawless but his songwriting and producing (he does his own) are also inventive and fresh/non-formulaic. From the moment he took the stage with Elton John at Live Aid in '85, George Michael has dug in his heels for the long haul. Even his moral experiment "Listen without Prejudice Vol. I" sounds legitimate on return listenings and prefigures Prince's more-lauded biz rebellion by several years.

This budget-priced collection has all the GM that you need. Almost. One regret is that the alternate version (Pt. II) of the definitive GM track "I Want Your Sex" is included here instead of the superior original cut. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", the Aretha Franklin duet, is superfluous and lacks the characteristics (not written or produced by GM) that illuminate his songs above his Pop peers. Other disappointments are cosmetic and subtle, for instance, the opening string motif and classical guitar solo are mixed-out of "A Different Corner" (?). Still, this is the collection to get. If you're smart you can fill in the gaps with vinyl.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true star under-rated now in the US, November 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael (+Bonus Tracks) (Audio CD)

What an amazing collection. Never has an artist put out such a complete work of art. Unlike usual greatest hits packages which simply throw an artists best songs on disc, George Michael has taken time to create a 2 disc mood set, "For the Feet" and "For the Heart". With a few surprise songs thrown in, especially "AS" with Mary J Blige which for legal reason the US version didn't contain. Well worth the money.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Generous Retrospective, May 24, 2002

By 

J. M. Zuurbier (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of George Michael (Audio CD)

While this compilation was a contract obligation for Michael, Sony had the rights to these songs and to release any compilations they wanted to, this is still a worthwhile investment for the George Michael fans. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: THE BEST OF GEORGE MICHAEL spans his career with plenty of material to satisfy the fans. The set is divided by 2 cds, the first being FOR THE HEART (ballads) and the second being FOR THE FEET (uptempos). This is the import version, which features one extra track, the duet with Mary J Blige on "As", which was not placed on the US version as a punishment from the label for his bathroom escapades in 1998. As well there are two new songs, one on each disc.

FOR THE HEART features some of his most heartfelt ballad performances. Notables include "Jesus To A Child", "You Have Been Loved", "I Can't Make You Love Me", "Careless Whisper", "Cowboys and Angels" and "One More Try".

FOR THE FEET features some of his best uptempo songs, such as "I Want Your Sex (Pt II), "Star People 97", "Too Funky", "Fastlove", etc. "Outside" is a great song, the new one on this disc, the video is among his best. Other highlights here include the duet with Aretha Franklin on "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me", the duet with Mary J Blige "As", "Hard Day", and more.

Overall this 29 song collection is a generous offering, and a must have for the fans, to remember some of his best known music. FOR THE HEART is perfect for reflection and relaxing, FOR THE FEET is perfect for getting ready to go out and party. Overall this is essential for the fans.