GEORGE MICHAEL to release new album 'Symphonica' on March 17 2014
Global superstar George Michael continues his extraordinary career when he releases 'Symphonica', his sixth solo album, on March 17. 'Symphonica' was recorded during the tour of the same name of 2011 and '12 and was co-produced by George himself, alongside the late, legendary Phil Ramone. 'Let Her Down Easy', the lead single from 'Symphonica' will reach radio on February 3rd and will be released on iTunes/digital platforms on March 17. 'Let Her Down Easy' was written and originally performed by Terence Trent D'Arby.
Flush with creativity, George kicked off Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour at Prague's state Opera House on August 22, 2011. The set featured a selection of his own songs and covers alongside an orchestra and included shows all over Europe including the Royal Albert Hall to the delight of fans and critics alike. On November 6, George performed a special Symphonica charity show at London's Royal Opera House for the Elton John AIDS Foundation's newly created Elizabeth Taylor Memorial Fund before a star-studded audience including Elton John himself, Kylie Minogue, Rupert Everett, David Walliams, Lara Stone and many more. The evening raised over £987,000 for the charity.
Later that month, George was due to play Vienna's Stadthalle Mere hours before the show, he was hospitalised with a particularly virulent strain of pneumonia. The rest of the tour was postponed on medical advice, but George promised to reschedule the remaining European dates. Nine months later, he would be as good as his word.
Before returning to the Symphonica tour, George released a new single 'White Light', which celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first Wham! single, 'Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)'. In August, George performed 'White Light' and 'Freedom! 90' at the London Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony.
Those rescheduled Symphonica dates were rapturously received, not least the September 9 show in Paris, where George became the first contemporary pop artist to perform at the Palais Garnier Opera House. This special evening was a charity performance in aid of Sidaction, France's biggest AIDS charity. The momentous occasion was filmed by the production/direction team of David Austin and Caroline True and will air in the rest of the world this Spring.
Since the Symphonica tour finished in London in October 2012, George had been doing what he does best: writing, recording and producing. March 17 will see the release of 'Symphonica', an album recorded during the Symphonica tour. The album was produced by George and the late Phil Ramone, who died in March 2013 aged 79. Ramone had also co-produced 'Songs From The Last Century' and, in a career which spanned over half a century, worked with hundreds of artists from Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Paul McCartney to Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand Karen Carpenter. 'Symphonica' is Phil Ramone's last work.