George Michael back on stage

It's been some time since fans have been able to see George Michael on stage.
Now, the singer/songwriter is back with a new tour and a new sound.
On Tuesday (October 25) night, Michael launched the UK leg of his already successful European 'Symphonica Tour' at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
For the first time, Michael's on-stage ensemble includes a 41-piece orchestra which the singer says makes for an unbelievable experience.
SOUNDBITE: George Michael, singer, saying (English):
"It's been amazing actually. It's a completely different experience -- singing with an orchestra is just it's everything I dreamed I'd be really - and the crowds have been absolutely fantastic, fantastic."
Michael's sell-out crowd was entertained by a range of covers and songs, including "Through" from the 2004 album "Patience" and jazz standard "My Baby just Cares for Me".
Michael has so far avoided some of his big hits and says, this tour is all about his voice.
SOUNDBITE: George Michael, singer, saying (English):
"It's just recently turned into, really I can feel myself becoming a better singer every night, you know what I mean. So it's really what I wanted from this apart from everybody else. I want to kind of bring, choose songs that I can showcase my voice because then I've kind of given my fans both types of show. You know I did three years with a greatest hits thing and this is really about my voice."
The 'Symphonica' tour is Michael's first musical big project since leaving jail in October last year. The singer spent a month for crashing his car into a corner shop while under the influence of drugs.
Now, he says he's glad the focus is back on his music:
SOUNDBITE: George Michael, singer, saying (English):
"Oh yeah, it makes a nice change, doesn't it? Yes, of course, yeah, of course."
In the coming weeks Michael's orchestral tour will continue to play at venues across the UK.
Mirja Mey, Reuters