Faith (Remastered 2010) - George Michael

dunkrag · 31-01-2011, 20:40

This delayed release due to, errrm, reasons, came out this week.
My copy of the deluxe box arrived today.
Thoughts -

Packaging - very well put together. Heavy card outer sleeve with wrap around cover. Gatefold 12'' sleeve housing the 3 CD's and the envelope of 12'' art prints and replica tickets and sticker.
12'' vinyl contains an inner sheet of lyrics of the album. Very heavy, flat vinyl.
Heavy hardback book which is gorgeous. Lots of full color pictures containing, (I would guess) nearly every photo from all the Faith era photo sessions, press cuttings, singles covers, essay by Robbie Elson and 2010 interview with George by Mark Goodier. Also contains an inner sheet with the full 2010 Remaster credits.

Sound - Disc 1 - It sounds REALLY good to me. Lots of breathing space, deep bass, space to turn it up and wide sound. Doesn't sound loud to me at all.
Disc 2 does sound a little 'hotter' to my ears.

DVD R0 NTSC - 38min Interview with Jonathan Ross. This is the highlight for me and worth the price of admission alone. HILARIOUS. Ross is so young. As is Michael, but it is rare that he sits down like this for a full on 'chat'. It's SOOOOO 80's. My god - brilliant piece of archive and good insights too.
Money, Music, Love, Faith - 27min EPK - better than EPK fare today. Interview, live clips, video clips and backstage stuff.
Videos for I Want Your Sex (+ uncensored version), Faith, Father Figure, One More Try, Monkey, Kissing A Fool
Sadly, the audio is only 2.0 stereo not 5.1 - Which the box DOES claim. ????

I've not listened to the vinyl yet.

Overall. It's a great set but way overpriced. £50, tops, is what it should be going for. There are missing tracks from the B-Sides. Sound wise it's great though. Get the 2CD/DVD version unless you are mad for the album. I am. It's one of my favourites of all time.

2CD+ DVD at Amazon

gjkendall · 01-02-2011, 07:06

I like this album, but the bonus tracks are so underwhelming! Why are there 3 versions of Monkey? There are a fair few remixes/b-sides that are missing.

I will probably pick this up once it goes uber-cheap!

mr starface · 01-02-2011, 12:54

Superb album and would love to pick this up but price far too steep at the moment.

dunkrag · 02-02-2011, 22:08

http://theseconddisc.com/2011/02/01/...ion/#more-4532

gjkendall · 05-02-2011, 08:08

How long is the Hard Day remix on disc 2?

dunkrag · 05-02-2011, 08:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjkendall

How long is the Hard Day remix on disc 2?

9'06''. Shep Pettibone Remix

gjkendall · 05-02-2011, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunkrag

9'06''. Shep Pettibone Remix

Buggar, I will have to buy this now, the original CD release I have has the 6,30 Pettibone remix on it (it has a nasty fade at the end). This appear to be the full length version!

I was determined to not buy this as the second disc really is underwhelming!

Cheers Dunkrag...I'm off to look for the best price!

Olonga · 09-02-2011, 06:15

It is an excellent album and I will definitely pick it up.No matter how costly this album is..

gjkendall · 10-02-2011, 12:30

This arrived today...lovely sounding disc and a fabulous album to boot.

Faith Instrumental just makes me realise how good (and important) the vocals are for this song. Pretty dull without the vocals.

Fantasy...what a great tune, had nver heard it before...knackering to listen to...pretty relentless!

Hard Day: The full length Shep Pettibone remix.....CLASS!

I Believe When I Fall In Love: Live and dull!!!!

Kissing A Fool: Instrumental and again, without vocals boring!

Loves In Need Of Love Today: yawn

Monkey: 7" Edit - Whats the point?

Monkey: A Capella & Beats - Classic B-side for the 12"...good, but we already have the next mix!

Monkey: Jam & Lewis Remix - I had this version on vinyl back in the day, so it is nice to hear it again on CD!

gjkendall · 10-02-2011, 18:44

Damn I forgot how good this album is....every tune a winner...even the slow ones that I always skipped when I was 15!

Are the rest of his albums getting the same treatment?

dunkrag · 10-02-2011, 19:06

Just spinning the vinyl now as well.

I can't say I'm a huge GM fan - I pretty much zoned out after 'Listen WP'. But agree - Faith is a true classic in every sense of the word. Pretty timeless.