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Product Description
Review
Even now, by today’s accelerated standards, that in a five-year span George Michael went from singing about having fun on the dole, simultaneously launching a solo career while clocking up a string of global chart-toppers with his mate Andrew, to multi-platinum success in America, is still rather mind-blowing.
It’s a career trajectory that has fuelled the most ambitious artists in his wake, desperate to emulate such a broad crossover. And who could blame them? The stats speak for themselves – 1987’s Faith album, here reissued across multiple formats including a special edition including bonus remixes and promo videos, sold 20 million worldwide, six of its 10 tracks were released as singles, and four of those went number one in the US (although curiously none of them went to number one in the UK). It contained some of his most enduring tunes, not least the title-track itself.
Ninety-nine percent made, produced, played and written by George himself, there are songs on here that would go on to outlive their parent album. Take One More Try, a timeless bit of soul imbued with regret and longing, and a wisdom that betrays the then-24-year-old artist behind it. The gospel-tinged Father Figure and jazzy Kissing a Fool too made those "new Elton John" claims not just a load of bluff. Time perhaps hasn’t been so kind to the Synclavier-soaked 80s-ness of Monkey, and, bearing in mind it was banned for being too raunchy at the time, I Want Your Sex seems positively quaint nearly 25 years on.
Of course hindsight is a handy tool, allowing one to spot the signs of what was to come more easily than one could at the time. But stripped of the nonsense – the car crashes, the spliffs, the troubled soul who ill-advisedly nips out for some late-night liaisons and the recent prison spell – Faith still endures as one of the more listenable major releases of the 80s. While he’d never scale these heights again – he started his retreat from the frontline after touring it solidly for two years – Faith made George into a proper international superstar, confirming his rightful place at pop’s top table. Listening to it today, marvelling at his seemingly effortless way with a tune, it’s understandable why it remains a classic of its era.
--Ian Wade
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Product Description
SPECIAL EDITION : 2CD set. Debut 1987 solo album, reissued with 9 rare BONUS tracks including a live Stevie Wonder cover! Includes "I Want Your Sex" ; "Faith" ; "Father Figure" and "One More Try".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've been hoping and waiting for years for a Faith remaster, as this album so rightly deserved one. I was overjoyed when it was announced in the second half of 2010, that there would indeed be one, with bonus material. I'm not an audiophile, but (to my ears) the remastering is fine, though a bit quieter than most current CD volumes. I expected it a tad bit louder...no complaint though, as louder isn't always better. My real complaint is with the very poor packaging/artwork. Given the iconic status of this album, I expected a much higher level of professionalism in the album artwork, inlay, booklet and credits. Firstly, the back cover inlay and booklet list only "Love's In Need Of Love Today" as live, though "I Believe When I Fall In Love" is also live...shoddy mistake since it comes across as though the latter track is a studio recording. Secondly, the pictures are all either very grainy or blurred. The front cover picture is much clearer on my original 1987 CD booklet than on this 2010 2-CD remaster, which is hard to understand, as there is technology to sharpen and improve photos that are either old, blurred, grainy, etc. The first photo as you open the booklet (which was the original Faith single cover picture) is so blurred, that it looks like a poor bootleg, as is the picture on the last inside page of the booklet. Also, why are "Fantasy" and "I Believe When I Fall In Love" included as bonus tracks? The former is a 1990 b-side (Waiting For That Day), though credited in the booklet as 2006, and the latter is a 1991 b-side (Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me). Isn't the bonus material sourced from the recording period? So why is the instrumental version of "Father Figure" left off in favour of these two tracks which don't fit in? I expected better of Sony/Epic in the re-release of this landmark album by such an iconic singer. George Michael is the biggest selling and most successful British male solo artist, and I expected more of a professional package by Sony/Epic. Here's hoping any future re-releases of this or any other of his albums gets the treatment it deserves.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Great album of course, however, compared to my original cd version, I am not sure that I discern a notable difference in the supposed remastering. Be interested in others views, as it may either be my ears, or that my expectations were unrealistic
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I buy a lot of reissues and this FAITH reissue is exceptional on all fronts. The album sounds better than it ever did I really don't get the earlier reviews that I read at all!!! Its sounds magnificent.
But what is amazing is the package - a stunning hardback coffee table book with a fantastic in depth interview with George and GREAT pictures!! It's really beautiful!! posters and prints plus the original vinyl!! I have bought this for my missus and it's the perfect Valentines Day gift - What a relief! She loves George and she'll be blown away with this!! I haven't watched The DVD yet but that looks awesome too - Had to wrap it all up before my wife sees it. Don't won't to spoil the Valentines Surprise!
But what is amazing is the package - a stunning hardback coffee table book with a fantastic in depth interview with George and GREAT pictures!! It's really beautiful!! posters and prints plus the original vinyl!! I have bought this for my missus and it's the perfect Valentines Day gift - What a relief! She loves George and she'll be blown away with this!! I haven't watched The DVD yet but that looks awesome too - Had to wrap it all up before my wife sees it. Don't won't to spoil the Valentines Surprise!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Faith
If you are a George Michael fan then you will love this remastered CD. Just excellent, all the brilliant songs from this era.
Published 8 months ago by Sarah Jane Freeman
1st rate
A first rate album from a first rate performer. This three disc set has been packaged in a hardbook book format with gives an interesting insight into how the album evolved. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Michael
Reaffirmed My Faith In George.
As a child with a mum from the eighties george was ever present in the household and as i got older you become more accustomed to him as an artist so i bought a greatest hits and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Julia Havard
nice box
this is a lovely box if you're a like GM :-)
if you just want to listen to his music 'go for the standard version ;-)
if you just want to listen to his music 'go for the standard version ;-)
Published 14 months ago by Rud B. Sorensen
Stop moaning, George!
I was actually quite happy with this 2 CD 1 DVD release. The remastering is a breath of fresh air for anyone recovering from bleeding ears having purchased the recent... Read more
Published 14 months ago by bobby morrow
Faith
As a life long George fan ( since the Wham day's! ) its just yet another masterpeice from Mr Michael for my collection
Published 15 months ago by Lesley
Lovin It!!!!
love it! did'ent buy it the first time round so it was good to buy it like this!
Good interview with Jonathan Ross can't belive how young they both where!!!
Good interview with Jonathan Ross can't belive how young they both where!!!
Published 15 months ago by A. Wellings
"...Love's In Need Of Love Today..."
*** This review is for the 2CD 2011 'Standard Edition' ***
(There is a '2CD/1DVD' issue and a 'Deluxe Box Set' also - both of which cost more)
George Michael fans... Read more
(There is a '2CD/1DVD' issue and a 'Deluxe Box Set' also - both of which cost more)
George Michael fans... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mark Barry, Reckless Records, London
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