The discs in this set are actually the Japanese blu-spec CD2 format, but rest assured that these are compatible with all CD players and so it shouldn’t be an issue. A third number one in a row from Make It Big, Freedom was Wham! at the peak of their powers. There was a “Long Mix” 12″ version but the on The Final it is the standard mix albeit with a unique ‘outro’ when a trumpet comes in. Another new song, this time a solid cover of the Was (Not Was) song. It again formed part of the final E.P. although it was released separately later in 1986. The second single but the first hit. It reached no.3 in late 1982. Again, it’s the 12″ version on The Final

Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge. Even if the box does include a DVD or blu-ray element, I’d be very surprised if a surround sound edition of the album is offered in the big box. George had showed zero interest in ‘spatial audio’ with both Faith and LIsten Without Prejudice. The other point to make is that because the limited super deluxe edition has appeared on Rough Trade, we can conclude that it is not going to be exclusive to any George Michael online shop.

The final single predictably hit no.1 in the UK charts. It managed to keep the effervescence of earlier Wham! releases and was actually a really strong single to end on, even if it did feature a somewhat unnecessary guitar solo, that may or may not have been played by Andrew Ridgely. Older’ was George’s third album as a solo artist and would see him experimenting with new musical styles and expanding his artistic horizons. Hailed by critics as a triumph, it told the story of an extraordinary period in the life of the man who wrote, recorded and produced it, as he journeyed through one of the most turbulent periods of his professional and personal life. George channeled all his painful life experiences into one of the most personal, heart-felt albums he had ever written.

One More Try (Live Gospel Version @ The Concert of Hope, Wembley Arena, London, England - 12/1/1993) A double A-side with Everything She Wants, Last Christmas topped a ludicrously successful 1984 for Wham!, and George Michael in particular. Only kept off the UK no.1 spot by the Band Aid, Do They Know It’s Christmas? charity single, it sold over a million copies and is apparently the highest selling single in UK history not to get to the number one spot. The 12″“Pudding Mix” was for years the de facto standard version of the song, appearing on The Best of Wham! in 1997 as well as The Final. In fact it wasn’t until 2006 that the standard 7″ mix appeared on a Wham! /George Michael CD (his Twenty Five greatest hits album).The album George Michael called his "greatest moment" will get the deluxe treatment this summer: his third album, 1996's Older.