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Un pò svogliato, sonnacchioso, su un divano si cela la vera essenza di George Michael. Un tipo lascivo, un artista che impiega dai quattro ai cinque anni prima di registrare un nuovo lavoro, un artista che dai tempi ormai lontani di "Faith" (1987) non è più stato capace di riprendersi.
Un tipo, che pochi giorni fa riesce a guadagnarsi le prime pagine del "Variety": "George Michael trovato ubriaco alla guida della sua macchina in possesso di una quantità considerevole di fumo". Un tipo così, uno che sbadiglia sul divano e che va in giro a fare concerti col solo scopo di avere sempre in banca i soldi per comperarsi la droga e vendersi ai suoi amichetti. Prendere o lasciare: molti l'hanno lasciato, altri invece lo hanno preso. Di petto, ma lo hanno preso. Confesso di non aver mai apprezzato "Faith", l'ho sempre trovato un disco furbetto, mieloso, tirato a lucido con l'olio di gomito. E per quanto fosse sensuale "I Want Your Sex" non riuscivo ad innamorarmene. Col tempo ho cambiato idea (come spesso, ahimè, accade): ho rivalutato "Faith", e ho rivalutato ampiamente anche lavori meno noti e meno riusciti (almeno così dicono) come "Oldier" o "Songs From The Last Century". Ma non ho rivalutato, perchè l'ho sempre trovato abbastanza passabile, l'ultimo lavoro del nostro eroe: "Patience".
Lo produce la Epic. E già questa è una notizia. George Michael ha girato mille case discografiche: dalla Columbia alla Virgin, poi la EMI, ancora la Columbia e infine l'approdo alla Epic. Non le ha girate tutte perchè voleva provare la migliore, è che i suoi molteplici fallimenti commerciali hanno indotto le case discografiche a rescinderli il contratto, una sorta di benservito con accolita di milioni di dollari. "Patience" esce nel 2004, i fans è dal 1999 che aspettano qualcosa di nuovo, e inevitabilmente il disco sale ai primi posti delle classifiche americane ed europee. Anche in Italia l'accoglienza è buona, eppure, se chiedi ad un ascoltatore medio quali canzoni siano presenti nell'album, la risposta sarà: "Conosco solo quella contro la guerra, non ricordo il titolo, però la conosco. Del resto non so nulla". Non vi è chiaro? Bene, seguitemi.
Il buon George Michael, onde evitare pasticci discografici, decide di puntare su un singolo forte, niente amore sole cuore e amenità varie, puntare dritti al problema e allo scandalo. Lo scandalo è "Shoot the dog", scatenatissimo funky in cui si fa beffe di George W.Bush, Tony Blair e persino del nostro ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi, il tutto condito con un video-clip "cattivo" e al vetriolo. Eccolo lì lo scandalo, quello che in realtà non un vero e proprio atto di guerra nei confronti dei politicanti e dell'Iraq insaguinato, perchè George Michael non ha lo spessore di Bob Dylan e perchè, soprattutto, i tempi sono cambiati (citazione dylaniana, pardon). George Michael non crede in quello che canta, e se lo crede non è un attivista politico sfrenato, è solo un tipo sonacchioso e instabile, che pur di recuperare l'affetto dei fans e le grazie del pubblico, venderebbe persino la madre: e oggi, per far successo, basta mettere in piedi uno scandalo. "Shoot the dog" comunque, ai fini prettamente musicali, è un buon pezzo, scatenato, ritmato, bello vivace. Poi certo, non è tutto ora quello che luccica: "Freek" è sì vivace e ritmata, ma è pura banale e scontata, come scontato è "Amazing", l'ennesimo brano pop zuccheroso in cui Michael cita i Bee Gees e si fa estremamente stridulo.
Non brillano nemmeno altri due brani che dovrebbero essere piatti forti: la title-track, inutilmente spezzettata in due parti e "My Mother Had A Brother" sdolcinato brano in cui vengono ripercorsi vecchi ricordi d'infanzia, disillusioni, dissidi famigliari, cose già sentite e risentite, che però i fans gradiscono sempre e dunque, perchè non accontentarli? Tutt'altro spessore hanno invece brani come "Flawless" (impossibile non muovere almeno una gamba a ritmo di musica), l'attacco frontale ai tabloid britannici con "Through" (questa sì una quasi vera canzone di protesta) e la malinconica "John And Elvis (Are Dead)", forse il brano più toccante e riuscito dell'intero disco, un omaggio disilluso e profondo a due grandi miti della musica mondiale che, in un modo o nell'altro, hanno saputo influenzare quasi cinquant'anni di musica moderna. Anche George Michael li piange, perchè anche lui li amava: strappalacrime ma senza strafare. Se solo non si facesse beccare ogni due per tre dalla polizia, George Michael sarebbe un onesto artista inglese (meglio, molto meglio di Madonna) capace di restare a galla in un vetusto e imbarazzante panorama musicale europeo e la sua fama ne guadagnerebbe sicuramente in popolarità e stima.
Ma questi sono discorsi a vuoto, tanto lui mica sta leggendo quel che sto scrivendo. E allora meglio lasciare perdere, comunque "Patience" è forse il miglior album di George Michael da molti anni in qua. Ascoltare per credere. O viceversa.
Elenco tracce testi samples e video
01 Patience (02:53)
It's like a conversation, where no-one stops to breathe
Is it my imagination, or did God already leave the table?
Such destruction, and pure white castles in the sand
No time for introduction
With all that money changing hands
And the satellite says,
"Take a look at all we have"
But the old man says,
"You want my family, for your liberty...I can't do that".
Look into the eyes of any patient man
Whether they be amber, green or blue,
There's a piece of God staring back at you
But they see our children, and the old folk fend for themselves
They see our broken women
On imaginary shelves
But the satellite says,
"Won't you people look at all we have?
Don't you want it?
Can't you see the things that you lack?"
Children in his arms, he turns his back.
02 Amazing (04:25)
I was mixed up when you came to me
Too broke to fix said 'daddy what you gone, I'm missing my baby'
Still missing my baby
I was stitched up by the hands of fate
Said how you gonna make it on your own if luck is a lady?
Maybe luck is a lady
I was going down for the third time
My heart was broken, I was not open to your suggestions
I had so many questions
That you just kissed away
Tell me, I guess that cupid was in disguise
The day you walked in and changed my life
I think it's amazing
The way that love can you set you free
So now I walk in the midday sun
I never thought that my saviour would come
I think it's amazing
I think it's amazing
I think you're amazing
You tried to save me from myself
Said 'darling, kiss as many as you want!
My love's still available
And I now you're insatiable'
We're like victims of the same disease
Look at your big bad daddy and your mom
And your mom... was always acting crazy
I was going down for the third time
My heart was broken, I though that loving you was out of the
Question
Then I say my reflection
Saying please don't let this go
Tell me, I guess that cupid was in disguise
The day you walked in and changed my life
I think it's amazing
The way that love can you set you free
So now I walk in the midday sun
I never thought that my saviour would come
I think it's amazing
I think you're amazing
Celebrate the love of the one you're with
Celebrate, this life with you baby
I think you should celebrate yeah
Don't put your love in chains baby
No no, walk in the midday sun
I thought I was dreaming
I think it's amazing
I think you're amazing
I said celebrate the love of the one you're with
As this life gets colder
And the devil inside
Tells you to give up
lyrics re-produced with kind permission of Dick Leahy Music
03 John and Elvis Are Dead (04:23)
Close friend of mine as a child fell into a slumber
No sign of life since '75
Then one day he just, what do you know
I guess God just called his number
He called me up he called me up and said
"I've been awake about a week
I'm thinking about asking the doctor
If he could put me back to sleep"
Then he laughed and said
"Hey all the girls they look the same"
Don't they know just what their mothers
Paid in blood, and tears to change
But the words that made me cry
The thing he softly said
It stayed with me, it keeps messing with my head
He said, "If Jesus Christ is alive and well
Then how come John & Elvis are dead?"
Youth, beautiful youth
We walked through the walls until we found the truth
And said "Change it, it's ugly just change it"
Everyone we used to know
Must have given up, so long ago
You can see it, it's written on their faces
And the inside of their clothes
But the words that made me cry
'Cos I knew just what they meant
He turned to me and said
"Hey boy, if Jesus Christ is alive and well
Then how come John & Elvis are dead?"
"Tell me if Jesus Christ is alive and well
Then how come Marvin & Elvis are dead?"
I said "If Jesus Christ is going to save us from ourselves
How come peace, love and Elvis are dead?"
04 Cars and Trains (05:51)
Mama�s gone and got herself a new man
It's a shame,
He's the same
Mama please please, stop pretending
This time, it won't end in tears
I find myself, with a new daddy
My mama needs love you see
Guess she don't wanna be lonely
And nobody's keeping score
I don't say hi to those guys no more
Said mama can't you feel me
Holding my breath as they knock, knock, knock on our door
You're just taking your ass to the top of that building
Throwing yourself under cars and trains
Taking the pill that you know will kill you
Under the wheels,
The same, the same�.
Johnny�s gone and got himself a new man
He gets laid, every day
Johnny please please, stop pretending
This time, may just end in tears
Take care of yourself
Because you won't find �daddy�
When you're popping those pills
Oh Johnny, is the danger just part of the thrill?
And nobody's keeping score
Johnny those guys that you shake it for
I said �Johnny can't you hear them
Saying mama knows best as they knock, knock,
knock on your door�
You're just taking your ass to the top of that building
Throwing yourself under cars and trains
Taking the pill that you know will kill you
Under the wheels, the same, the same
Taking your ass to the top of that building
Throwing yourself under cars and trains
Taking the pill that you know will kill you
Under the wheels, wheels, wheels
Pretty girl, little girl, what were you thinking
Just 18 at the time
You were a mother and child, at the same time
You were a mother and child
So young and fucked up baby
Always higher than a child should see�
Forgive me
To the top of that building
Under cars and trains
Taking the pill that you know will kill you
Under the wheels, wheels, wheels
Mama don't you let him stay
From bastard to loser, hurt you, used you in every way,
Mama, don't you let him stay, please
Don't let him stay
I said Jesus, Mary, and the Saints above,
Won't you show him love?
06 My Mother Had a Brother (06:17)
My mother had a brother
They say that I was born on the day that he died
Someone to cling to, she said
When all the noises and the shame came calling
My mother had a brother
I thought I knew them all, I thought I knew
But she lied
I said, �Show me his face again, tell me again why he died�
She said he couldn't wait for the things that I've seen
She said he wasn't strong enough, he never dared to dream a life like mine
My mother had a brother
Over-sensitive and kind
Seems it all became too much for him..
It seems he took his own life
Mum, I can't imagine the joy and pain in equal measure
Tears in the dirt, and all over your newborn treasure
I guess he had to wait until my momma had me
I guess he couldn't wait another moment to be free
In endless sky�..
But mama will you tell him from your boy
The times they changed
I guess the world was getting warmer
And we got stronger
Mother will you tell him about my joy
I live each day for him
The sun came out, yeah, and I'm just breathing it in
(breathing�)
My mother had a brother
Same desire, different time
Seems the empty spaces tortured him
Until he took his own life
I don't know why I waited so long for love
I just don't know what I was thinking of..
All that wasted time
But mama will you tell him from your boy
The times they changed
I guess the world was getting warmer
While we got stronger
Mother will you tell him about my joy
I live each day with him
Your son came out, yeah,
And I'm still breathing it in
And I swear now that freedom is here
I'm gonna taste it all for you boy
I'm bad to the bone, I'm just a little torn
I'm making so much love
So those of us who have nothing to fear
We've got to make damn sure that it was worth it
I'm bad to the bone, I'm just a little stoned
I'm making so much love
I was a prisoner, but he saved me
Broke into my dreams and said, �Who cares?�
I was a prisoner, so disgrace me
I'm glad to be home
And I don't believe they care.
09 Precious Box (07:39)
In my house there's a circle, where the life comes in
From the stars to my home, down through the stone,
I could have been so alone,
Without my precious box
Have I a family? I guess not
I've never seen a lot of beauty
In my life.
Well in your house there are servants, and the lights all dim
Such a beautiful home, your agent's on the phone, they never
leave you alone
The party never stops!
You say that's fantasy, I say 'So what, I need a little beauty'
So let me in,
You know you've kind of got under my skin
You know we never see a lot of the action round here
My dear
You may want to strip again
And you look so fine in your Gucci suit
And you're making lot more money than your daddy
could have imagined
But people can go out of fashion, honey, yeah, any time
So take that picture, stop acting so dumb
Don't you know that the moment will come
I will find someone like you
But with something extra, I'm sorry baby
I don't know why
Said I don't know why that is
The systematic breakdown of my community
You know I hate my job, I tried to save but God
It's just never enough
Switch on, the pressure - stops
You know the one for me, she's on Fox
And she's a little beauty
Give me your life, give me your life, I want it
'Cause it's lately so freezing out here
This side of the glass, life keeps kicking my ass
In so many ways, but you make it good
Made me the kind of happy that my baby never could
(This side of the glass,
I know that you would, now Baby)
So take that picture, stop acting so dumb
Don't you know that the moment will come
I will find someone like you
But with something extra, I'm so sorry baby
I don't know why
Said I don't know why that is
Precious keeps me company on
Keeps me from being alone
Because no-one comes in the morning
And no-one comes in the evening time
I'd sit and wait for the phone to ring
I could be waiting my whole damn life
So sick of the same old faces
In this street, where nobody talks to me
And the funny side of the situation is
I don't care, I'll always be there
When you come down from the sky
And make yourself at home
In my house, Baby
'Cause these days it's the money, the money
The money, honey, or your life
I said don't you know you can't have both?
I said don't you know you can't have both?
I said don't you know you can't have both?
Stop acting so dumb
The moment will come
I will find someone like you
Something extra, (always happens baby to me) sorry baby
I don't know why (something)
Said I don't know why that is
(Tell me why that is)
You may want to strip again
You may want to let me in
You may want to sacrifice
More than you think is fair or right
You may want to think again
You may want to watch your friends
You may want to change your mind
You may wish you could turn back time
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Altre recensioni
Di Darius
Patience si presenta all’ascoltatore come il miglior erede di Older e delle innovazioni che il predecessore aveva portato in casa Michael.
Un disco quasi dimenticato fra il vastissimo catalogo dello scorso decennio, una piccola perla fra tante inflazionature e ributtanti tormentoni da due soldi.
