Michael McDonald - The Very Best of Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald got his big break in Southern California singing with Steely Dan in 1974. He later became a superstar as a lead singer/keyboardist with The Doobie Brothers from 1975 to 1982, contributing such megahits as "Takin' It To The Streets," "It Keeps You Runnin'," "Minute By Minute," and the triple-Grammy'-winning #1 smash "What A Fool Believes." Post-Doobies, McDonald scored gold with his 1982 solo debut LP If That's What It Takes and its #4 single "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)." His career has since taken him back to the rootsier rhythms he explores today. The Very Best Of Michael McDonald spotlights the legendary artist's greatest solo sides, including all of the hits from his own albums, movie soundtracks, and collaborations with James Ingram, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, David Foster, Peter Wolf, Joe Walsh, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, John Tesh, and Don Was-plus a previously unissued version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" taken from the ex-Doobie's 1990 Take It To Heart sessions. The accompanying liner notes feature new quotes from McDonald himself. Album Description

THAT VOICE ! (Michael McDonald's soulful expressions are unique and spiritual)

Nobody sings like Michael McDonald. Nobody. His deep and soulful expressions reach the heart and soul in a profound way. He feels what he sings, and you feel it, too.

The Very Best Of Michael McDonald (2001) is a 1980s-early 1990s collection of the best of his solo work and two duets (James Ingram, Patti LaBelle). None of his Doobie Brothers songs are here, but with all of the great solo material that is here, that can wait for another day. The spiritual duet Yah Mo B There (w/James Ingram) is absolutely fantastic! The title actually means "God will be there", and the song is intensely uplifting.

You can count on it, brother
Because we're all just finding our way
Travelling through time
People got to keep pushing on
No matter how many dreams slip away
Yah Mo B There

The resigned, but hopeful, On My Own (w/Patti LaBelle) is also very good, and these two great singers complement each other perfectly as they draw you into their story. Michael's rock n' soul version of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground is a nice surprise, too, and a wonderful cover of a great song. I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) and the hit single Sweet Freedom are both entertaining and satisfying highlights, too. There are love songs, hurt songs, social/political/spiritual songs and they all get masterfully expressive treatment from the blue-eyed soul singer.

As a single disc compilation of Michael McDonald's solo material, this collection works very well, and the remastered sound is great. If you want to hear this expressive and soulful singer at his very best, then The Very Best Of Michael McDonald is a good way to go. March 12, 2008

On His Own

There are often times where greatest hits records can definitely showcase an artists either flawlessly and definitively, or just as a mixed bag of tracks that could've been in need of repair. That has happened with hits records from the past few years by Sting, Madonna, and especially Michael McDonald. Since he started his success as a backup performer with Steely Dan in the 70's, his has had a unique appeal, and later it shined brighter with his work performing with The Doobie Brothers, and then striking gold on his own. Now, his solo efforts are highlighted in a greatest hits package that shows some promise, but misses out a bit.

The 2001 Very Best of Michael McDonald, is a single disc reflection of his solo efforts throughout the 1980's, and early 90's. The songs here are remastered quite well, and sound a lot better than they did back in the 80's. The record includes some feel good tracks like Sweet Freedom, the #1 duet with Patti LaBelle, On My Own, his first solo hit I Keep Forgettin', a remake of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground, and other good tracks. While that is highlighted fairly well, the album definitely isn't completely definitive. It sadly overlooks his golden era with The Doobie Brothers on songs that shine on McDonald's voice like Real Love, What A Fool Believes, and Takin' It To The Streets.

All in all, The Very Best Of Michael McDonald isn't a bad hits record, but there is a better one out there. If you love his solo efforts only, than this record is for you. Otherwise, I suggest you purchase his 2005 Ultimate Collection instead. It is a much more definitive album at the same price. This record however, isn't the sweet freedom it is supposed to be.

Album Cover: B

Songs: C 1/2+

Price: B-

Remastering: B-

Overall: C+ July 30, 2006

Truly the "Best Of ..."

Fine compilation of his standards, with great instrumental backup and sound mixing. An excellent addition to anyone's music library. March 10, 2006

His Hits Are All Here!

I never really cared much for Michael McDonald and actually felt that him becoming a part of the Doobie Brothers was their downfall. As the years have gone on and bittersweet memories have faded...I have to give him credit for his solo work. I bought this CD a few months ago and was surprised at how many hit songs that he has. As far as I can tell they are all here!
He has two good duets on this one....One with James Ingram, Yah Mo Be There, and the other with Patti LaBelle, On My Own. My personal favorites are Sweet Freedom and I Keep Forgettin" (Everytime You're Near). Buy it if you like blue-eyed soul! January 24, 2006

The Best Way to Get a Snapshot of McDonald's Career

I've always looked at Michael McDonald as the artist that really catapulted The Doobie Brothers to artistic heights. The Doobies originally started out as a Southern Style Rock band. They then found ways to integrate other genres of music. Perhaps this was most prevalent with the addition of Michael McDonald. Michael McDonald was brought into the Doobie Brothers to fill in for lead vocalist Tom Johnston during a 1975 tour. McDonald soon would find himself as the co-lead vocalist of the Doobies for the next 7 years. During this time, the Doobies would reach the height of popularity. Much of this was due to the Rhythm and Blues/Jazz influence by McDonald. Following a farewell tour in 1982, Michael McDonald would begin a solo career that would now see him focus much on his R&B sound. While McDonald enjoyed some modest success during his solo career, much of his work has gone unnoticed. It is the compilation, "The Very Best of Michael McDonald" that does a terrific job at capturing a snapshot of his portfolio of work.

For the most part, "The Very Best of " focuses on the first decade of his career (1982-1993). During this time McDonald would release 4 solo albums, collaborate with some other artists, and do some soundtrack work. The contains 15 songs during this time period.. The 4 solo albums that are represented on "The Very Best of Michael McDonald" are: "If That's What it Takes" ("I Keep Forgettin (Every Time You're Near)", "I Gotta Try"); "No Lookin Back" ("No Lookin Back", "Our Love (Theme From No Mercy)", "By Heart", "Bad Times", "Any Foolish Thing", "Lost in the Parade)"; "Take it to Heart" ("Get the Word Started", "Take it to Heart"); "Blink of an Eye" ("Matters of the Heart", "Blink of an Eye"). There are two songs that are from other artist's albums in which McDonald sang a duet with. This includes the song "Yah Mo Be There" - a duet that McDonald did with James Ingram on his 1983 "It's Your Night" album. The other collaboration included is the duet "On My Own" that McDonald did with Patti LaBelle (this would become McDonald's biggest solo hit). From the soundtrack to the movie "Running Scared", we get another popular McDonald tune - "Sweet Freedom". Finally, the collection includes one unreleased song - a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground". There is an obvious slant to the work from McDonald's "No Lookin Back" album (6 tracks are included on "The Very Best of Michael McDonald"), but in fairness - this was probably McDonald's best album from both a commercial and critical standpoint.

The "Very Best of " was released in 2001. In the period 1982-1993, we see that McDonald clearly established himself in the R&B arena. McDonald also proved he could successfully broaden his horizons. This was heard on the title track "No Lookin Back" in which McDonald showed some harder rock. McDonald would show his ability to do an upbeat pop tune on the "Sweet Freedom" track. The track "Our Love" shows McDonald deliver a song in a way that reminds me of a David Foster love tune. However, when it comes down to where McDonald's niche is - it's clearly in the R&B area. The majority of the tracks on this album showcase McDonald's R&B talents. This is heard on some of his more popular tracks such as "I Keep Forgettin (Every Time You're Near)" and "Yah Mo B There". However there are some outstanding tracks that aren't quite as well known to the mainstream audience that showcases McDonald's R&B side. These tracks include: "I Gotta Try", "Bad Times", "Matters of the Heart", "Any Foolish Thing", and "Blink of an Eye". Finally, McDonald has been known to even incorporate some gospel style music into his music. This fits perfectly with his R&B mold - and it is heard terrificly on the track "Get the Word Started".

One thing that is definitely worth hearing is the cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground". I consider this one of Stevie Wonder's great songs - and McDonald pulls this off as well as Wonder's original. I'm surprised that this song was left off the "Take it to Heart" album - this is actually one of McDonald's best tracks. This song probably influenced McDonald to take on the 2004 "Motown" and "Motown 2" projects - in which he does covers of some of Motown's greatest hits. McDonald does several Stevie Wonder tunes on those albums. It are these "Motown" albums that actually rejuvenated McDonald's career - namely because he does such a good job with this style of music. However, if you liked the "Motown" albums, you will not only appreciate McDonald's cover of "Higher Ground" - but also some of those lesser known R&B influenced tracks that are mentioned above.

There are two small negatives on this album. I normally like when an artist puts tracks in chronological order because this allows me to hear how the artist progressed over time. Unfortunately, this collection does not do so. The other negative is I feel that there is a small portion of McDonald's work not represented. McDonald has always had a slight Christian Contemporary influence dating back to his Doobie Brothers days. Songs such as "Homeboy" and "Lonely Talk" are great examples of this influence in his solo career. I'm disappointed songs like these are not included.

One thing worth noting is that McDonald released a new compilation called "Michael McDonald - The Ultimate Collection". This collection includes some of his Doobie Brothers material, but not goes nearly as deep with his solo material as "The Very Best of" does.

The liner notes feature a terrific biographical write-up on McDonald that discusses a lot of background for the songs that are included on "The Very Best Of". It also lists what albums the songs are from. Overall, this is a terrific collection to get a snapshot of McDonald's career. Overall, a highly recommended album. September 16, 2005

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