Refreshing.., Honest.

No one is more surprised than me that this most recent release from George Michael (of WHAM fame) would make my list of must-listens. In recent years, although occasionally writing an emotive ballad or two (Careless Whisper), most of George's audience has been the club scene. There's a few of those dance tunes here, as well, but what stands out mostly in PATIENCE is the truthfulness in which George writes. I'm sure his openess is in large part to his being so exposed for his personal choices and the public commentary about those issues that should have remained private. But upon closer listen, you discover that he's got much more to sing about in his life than his love life.

Close attention should be given to My Mother Had A Brother, where he speaks of the family curse(s) that may help to understand George's relunctance to perhaps share his life's intimate details. The title cut and American Angel are other poignant examples of this revelatory lyric style. Please Send Me Someone (Anselmo's Song) and Amazing seem innocently joyful because of their infectious rhythms, but with a closer listen, you'll discover there's an element of melancholy even in these tunes. My favorites are John and Elvis Are Dead, Cars and Trains and Round Here, each excellent examples of the power of word and music, when combined for their maximum effect. PATIENCE celebrates a man who has not only found his voice late in life, but seems fine with all the detours and delays along the way. ~~BD of www.EdenDustMedia.com