‘Older is one of—if not the—greatest and most accomplished albums in George Michael’s esteemed repertoire,” Albumism’s Matthew Hocter declared in his feature article written for the album’s 25th anniversary last year. “A true masterpiece,” he added. Michael, himself, seemed to concur with the sentiment, once referring to his third solo studio affair as his “greatest moment.”
Long cited by many of Michael’s millions of devotees as their favorite album in his dynamic discography, Older (1996) is set to receive the deluxe reissue treatment that it unequivocally deserves. Originally set for release July 8th and now slated to arrive September 30th following production delays due to understandably high demand, the Sony Music commissioned deluxe, limited edition box set is a comprehensive commemoration of this magical album, comprised of the original LP on remastered 180-gram double-vinyl, Upper pressed on vinyl for the first time, and CDs of both sets along with three bonus CDs featuring 27 rarities and mixes, all accompanied by 3 x 12”x12” art prints and a 12”x12” 48 page book ‘The Story of Older.’
The full track listing of the super-deluxe box set package is:
OLDER VINYL
SIDE A: Jesus to a Child | Fastlove, Pt. 1 | Older
SIDE B: Spinning the Wheel | It Doesn't Really Matter | The Strangest Thing
SIDE C: To Be Forgiven | Move On | Star People
SIDE D: You Have Been Loved | Free
UPPER VINYL
SIDE A: Fastlove, Pt. 2 | Spinning The Wheel (Forthright Edit) | Star People ‘97 (Radio Version) -
SIDE B: The Strangest Thing ’97 (Radio Version) | You Know That I Want To | Safe
CD1 OLDER
Jesus to a Child | Fastlove, Pt. 1 | Older | Spinning the Wheel | It Doesn’t Really Matter | The Strangest Thing | To Be Forgiven | Move On | Star People | You Have Been Loved | Free
CD2 UPPER
Fastlove, Pt. 2 | Spinning The Wheel (Forthright Edit) | Star People ‘97 (Radio Version) | The Strangest Thing ’97 (Radio Version) | You Know That I Want To | Safe
CD3 MIXES ONE
Fastlove (A/C Summer Mix) | Star People ‘97 (Radio Edit) | Freedom '94 (Live Version) | One More Try (Live Gospel Version) | Star People (Unplugged) | Spinning The Wheel (Radio Edit) | Fastlove (Promo Edit) | Jesus To A Child (Special Radio Edit) | Spinning The Wheel (Forthright Dub Mix) | Star People (Forthright Club Mix)
CD4 MIXES TWO
Fastlove (Forthright Extended 12" Mix) | Star People (Forthright Dub Mix) | I'm Your Man (The Jon Douglas Remix) | Fastlove Part II (Fully Extended Mix) | Spinning The Wheel (Forthright Extended 12" Club Mix) | Star People (Galaxy Dub Mix) | Fastlove (Forthright Remix 7” Version) | I Can't Make You Love Me (Studio Version)
CD5 MIXES THREE
Desafinado (George Michael with Astrud Gilberto) | The Strangest Thing (Live) | Star People (Forthright Radio Edit) | The Strangest Thing ‘97 (Loop Ratz Mix) | Fastlove (Forthright Dub Remix) | Jesus to a Child (Radio Edit) | Spinning The Wheel (The Jon Douglas Remix) | Star People (Galaxy Mix) | Older (Instrumental Version)
In addition to this expansive treasure trove of riches, ‘Older’ will also resurface in various cross-format configurations for fans who prefer more streamlined packages.
Mark September 30th in your calendars, clear room on your shelves, and revisit the original album below.
UPDATE 9/30/22: Listen to the just-released expanded deluxe edition of Older below
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LISTEN: