{"product_id":"symphonica","title":"Symphonica","description":"Personnel: Phil Palmer, Ben Butler (guitar); Henry Hey (piano); David Finck (double bass); Mark McLean (drums); Lea Mullen (percussion); James Jackman (programming); Lucy Jules, Lincoln Jean-Marie, Jay Henry, Shirley Lewis (background vocals).\u003cbr\u003ePhotographer: Caroline True.\u003cbr\u003eGestating for a long time -- at least two years, although George Michael hasn't released an album for a decade -- Symphonica is a curious way for the pop singer to return to action. A live album recorded on his 2011-2012 tour, Symphonica showcases a singer on the supper club circuit, trading in a few of his big hits, all middle-brow favorites (\"Praying for Time,\" \"One More Try,\" \"A Different Corner\") and spending a lot of time on songs the audience knows and love, whether it's Ewan MacColl's \"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,\" Anthony Newley's \"Feeling Good,\" or the American Popular Songbook standard \"My Baby Just Cares for Me.\" Michael does indulge in some personal favorites -- -he tackles Terence Trent D'Arby's \"Let Her Down Easy\" and the deep Elton John track \"Idol\" -- but the context is something familiar: a popular singer luxuriating in a symphonic setting. He doesn't push the limits of this template, choosing to enjoy the lush surroundings, so this winds up slightly anti-climactic: Michael is in good form but he's coasting, doing no more than he needs to, satisfying fans without surprising. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine","brand":"MovieMars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45426147950879,"sku":"602537699322","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/7833\/0399\/files\/e780250632289661ac254d1d218de1c7.jpg?v=1777814114","url":"https:\/\/www.moviemars.com\/products\/symphonica","provider":"MovieMars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}