Last night I caught the George Michael concert at Chicago’s United Center. Totally impressed. I had high expectations, considering he last toured the U.S. nearly 17 years ago. (Ticket prices were a bit high, too.) But George more than delivered, and even surprised me in several ways.

As this was his “25 Live” concert (marking 25 years in the music biz), George made sure to hit all the high points (an energetic “Everything She Wants,” a never-sounded-better “Faith,” the celebratory closer “Freedom 90”), while treating true-blue fans—like yours truly—to late-period tracks that should have been just as big in the States (“Fastlove,” “Outside,” “Flawless (To The City),” “Amazing”). The out-and-proud singer wasn’t shy about flaunting his full-on, for-the-boys club mode, performing the Forthright Club Mix of “Spinning The Wheel.” A fantastic setlist, even though I would have loved to hear him sing “Cowboys and Angels” and “Killer/Papa Was A Rolling Stone.”

He had me hooked from the first note, opening with “Waiting (Reprise),” the closing track to Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1. One of my favorites, it was an unexpected way to begin the night, though I guess George felt the final lyrics apropos for the occasion. Hear here:

He often turned his mic toward the audience, inviting them pitch in on vocal duties. At times that was a whole lot of fun (like during “Careless Whisper”) but there were other moments when the gesture seemed to be met with awkward silence. Maybe George momentarily forgot he’s in America, where only a tiny percentage of the truly committed knows the lyrics to “Star People”?

One major standout was the set, a three-piece LED video backdrop, the middle of which curved to become the stage itself. The graphics package was phenomenal: Visually arresting images of giant speakers, silhouettes, and landscapes; clips from George’s classic videos; rainbow-colors twisted this way and that. Chicago’s Marina Towers appeared as equalizers in one sequence (an element not specific to this tour stop).

George was in stellar voice and a reminder of what a true talent he really is. A few songs into his first-half set, however, I did notice he wasn’t venturing into upper-range territory. Not sure if that part of his voice is shot (the pot smoking?) or he simply didn’t want to risk reaching for notes that might not come night after night. It’s gotta be strange for him not to have the option of singing his songbook as recorded (so intimately familiar to many of us). Still, though, a flawless evening from a true entertainer.

I’m already sold on the eventual DVD release. Oh, and something else to look forward to: George delivered the good news that Eli Stone is set to return to ABC later this year.

Purchase George Michael’s latest greatest-hits set, TwentyFive, from Amazon, iTunes.

Image courtesy Inasse.