Wham! /London,UK 1986 SBD Version

The music scene in the 1980s was bright and healthy, and the dark and heavy atmosphere of the 1970s seemed to have faded into the background. For Japanese people, the 1980s began with the arrest of Paul McCartney, and ended with the death of John Lennon, which was a shocking event. However, it is no exaggeration to say that the 1980s was dominated by bright and danceable American pop music, such as Michael Jackson and Madonna. And the British duo Wham! was a representative artist that symbolized that era. They became an instant hit with their first album, Fantastic, released in 1983, and for those who spent their youth in the 1980s, Wham! could be said to be the background music of the era. The reason Wham! became a hit was not only the refreshing looks of the two young men, but also the quality of their songs. Listening to George Michael’s later solo work, it is clear that during the Wham! era, they were intentionally creating songs that were in line with the times, and this gives us a glimpse of George’s talent, who was able to skillfully handle a variety of genres. Many of the classic songs that have become standards, such as “Last Christmas,” which is still played 30 years after its release at Christmas, and “Careless Whisper,” which has spawned numerous covers such as “Hold Me Tight Jitterbug,” were born during this period. Wham! was a rare group that had idol-like popularity as well as talent as a musician, and it could be said that they were destined to become stars. Although “Careless Whisper” and “Different Corner” were originally included in Wham!’s albums, they were actually and even credited to George Michael’s solo name. It was George who was undoubtedly responsible for the musical part of Wham!. There is no way for a third party to know what the power relationship and relationship between the two men were, but when the last album titled “The Final” was released as Wham!, Andrew announced that Wham! would break up after the release of this album and the accompanying farewell tour. Wham!’s last tour was a farewell tour after declaring their breakup. This work is a complete recording of the Brixton Academy performance in London on June 24th from Wham!’s final tour. The final tour of this rare duo, who chose to disband at the height of their popularity during their short period of activity, is completely recorded on the soundboard. Moreover, as it was the last tour, the set list that covers all of their representative songs is perfect. The opening is “Koi no Takhiki” from “Make It Big”. The studio version has been significantly expanded to nearly twice the length. Between songs, there is a talkative MC, and it seems as if they are enjoying interacting with the fans as it is their last tour. The second song is “Club Tropicana” from “Fantastic”. Andrew introduces it as “a summer song” in accordance with the season in which this concert was held. The excitement is well conveyed, such as having the audience sing the chorus part. “Heartbeat” is a song that is attractive for George’s clear and relaxed high tone. The fact that he can sing this way with falsetto not only in the studio but also in live performances is the best proof that George is an excellent vocalist. “Battle Station” has a rhythm machine and female chorus that really makes you feel the 80s. “Bad Boys” is the most memorable song on the first album, and I’m sure many people sang along to the record with the “fu-fu” part. After the danceable songs, there is a short break, with a quiet ballad masterpiece “Fading Feelings” and the last song of the first half is “Melancholy Mexico”. The original title is “Where Did Your Heart Go”, but the Japanese title is “Melancholy Mexico”, which is a no-laugh. The sound of the saxophone gives it a melancholy pop song atmosphere. This concert is in June, but “Last Christmas” is reproduced from the original, starting with the muttering “Happy Christmas”. The sound effect of the bells that was in the studio version is not included, and the keyboard is brought to the forefront in the arrangement, and George’s singing voice is truly wonderful against the cheap sound in the background. It could be done a cappella alone. The second half of the concert features three consecutive songs, “Different Corner,” “Freedom,” and “Careless Whisper,” in which George’s vocals shine. In particular, “Freedom,” rearranged to an up-tempo version, is a wonderful performance that perfectly matches the chorus work while adding improvisation. The last song in the main part is “Uki Uki Wake Up.” “Uki Uki” is a Japanese title that was added by the Japanese side, but it accurately describes the atmosphere of the song, and it is a song that is as exciting and fun as it sounds. The concert ends with “I’m Your Man,” which George continues to sing on his solo tour. From the last tour of Wham!, which swept the 80s, the performance at Brixton Academy in London on June 24, 1986 was completely recorded on a high-quality soundboard. This is a valuable recording of Wham!’s final tour, which is unlikely to have a chance to be exposed to a live version because the studio version is so well-made. In the 1980s, when visual effects were becoming more flashy, many artists such as Madonna used miming, but Wham sang live, and his singing was amazing. This is a wonderful concert that clearly shows how excellent a vocalist George Michael was. BRIXTON ACADEMY LONDON U.K. June 24, 1986 DISC ONE 01. Everything She Wants 02. Club Tropicana 03. Heartbeat 04. Battlestations 05. Bad Boys 06. If You Were There 07. The Edge Of Heaven 08. Credit Card Baby 09. Like A Baby 10. Love Machine 11. Where Did Your Heart Go? DISC TWO 01. A Ray Of Sun shine 02. Why 03. Last Christmas 04. Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do) 05. A Different Corner 06. Freedom 07. Careless Whisper 08. Band Introductions 09. Young Guns (Go for It!) 10. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go 11. I’m Your Man