Customer Reviews

Blue Obsession

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

...for Mike McDonald to resurface. From the start to finish, this was vintage Michael McDonald. "Kikwit Town"'s lyrics were both troubling and moving and the music was well done. "You Can't Make It Love" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, McDonald voice is strong, full and he sings this song with genuine emotion. "Ain't That Peculiar" is another funky favorite. "Someday You Will" was supposed to feature 3 members of Take 6 in the background and unfortunately I was unable to hear them. Overall, he's still the most unique voice I've ever heard. To me his R&B/jazz/gospel vocals blended with rock/pop music makes his sound familiar to the old "Doobie" fans, but unique to anyone who listens. McDonald is one of the few artists who should never change...he's all that and more!

Forget Amazon's corny review. Forget the other negative reviews. If you listen to idiots, you won't discover Michael McDonald's diversity as an "all around player.

If the cards are played right, Blue Obsession stands a great chance of spinning off a few "top 10" hits. Already, "The Meaning of Love's" last count at radio was #33, which may be up to #20 by now.

Michael McDonald is still Michael McDonald. The problem is, I THINK, is that Michael's diversity is too strong for the idiots who were used to his "rock" edge in the 70's and 80's -- those who aren't open-minded, surely won't like this CD, because it showcases his roots of R&B, and was produced primarily by multi-cultural producer Tommy Sims.

My take is for people to grow up. I'm 20 years old, and love every song that Michael has made in the past -- But my take is that Blue Obsession is Michael's strongest album, ever. The talent is strong, the duets are marvelous, and the sound is unique.

For those who aren't aware -- Michael wanted to recapture the feel of 50's recordings.. which is why songs like "Open The Door" have an aged, classical sound...

So, before listening to idiots, judge the content by listening first... there's a song for everyone.

Michael McDonald has finally put out an album worthy of one of the greatest voices in music. The overblown "L.A." production values that have destroyed everything he's done since "No looking back" are gone and instead the listener is treated to a real band with fat drums and bass, B3, guitar and soulful arrangements. Stylistically, it's much more like his great take on Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops" from the Rock and Soul Revue disc. His cover of Neil Young's long-forgotten "Down by the River" reminds you how a great singer can redefine a great song. (He could have let the guitarist stretch out a little on that one but who's complaining?) If you like MM but have been a little disappointed in his lackluster material, this is his strongest release in years.

When I first listened to this excellent project I thought Michael's vocals were a bit strained but after 6 months of daily doses of this cookin' CD I admit I am obsessed with it. Top notch musicians and thoughtful tunes coupled with McDonald's soulful vocals equal a funky soulful experience. (Hint=pump the volume for the song "Blue Obsession")

I am absolutely appalled by some of the bad reviews I've read, which must've been written by people with an incredible amount of wax in their ears! I'm a major Michael McDonald fan and own all of his albums (including the Doobies). I'm in my late 20s, so I'm still old enough to have heard it all. I must admit that some of his previous work has been a bit weak, namely "Take It To Heart", and I was a bit skeptical about buying this album. But the past albums PALE in comparison to Blue Obsession! In my opinion, this is the old McDonald we've been waiting to hear, with that amazing, distinctive soulful, R&B sound we had heard with the Doobies/Steely Dan, particularly with "Build Upon It" and "Ain't That Peculiar". Also I just saw him in concert in a small venue in NJ and he had the crowd roaring! So I would not listen to a word of these clueless bad reviewers...true McDonald fans will not agree. I'm hopeful that this great comeback CD will keep him from being SO underrated as he had been in the past.

Not that he's been gone - it's just been such a long wait for his latest album. Lately I'd been feeding my Michael McD addiction by tracking down the discs that he'd song backup on, since it was beginning to seem like we'd never see Blue Obsession hit the stores. I hope this gets the airplay it deserves and becomes a huge seller, so that perhaps the wait for his next album won't be so long. The more I listen to this CD, the more I like it. With the exception of but a few songs, I rate the rest of them real winners. This is the only CD I've had playing in my car for the past several days and the more I get to know the songs, the better I like them. Thanks Mike - and good luck with the new label. I hope you're both around for a very long time.

I just discovered this gem and can't believe that I let it pass me by as Michael McDonald is one of my favorites. In fact this release just may be my Michael McDonald favorite PERIOD because it has him testing new waters while sounding better than ever. No huge hits stick out , but every song is awesome and runs the gamut from gospel, r&b, rock, adult contemporary, the blues, and it all works. The are many standouts, including "The Meaning Of Love" just to make one.

Working with producer Tommy Sims, who produced Eric Clapton's "Change the World", may have just been what the doctored ordered as the quality of the material is uniformly strong and not weighed down by some of the more sappy Dianne Warren songs that sold by the millions. With the exception of two very well handled covers ("Ain't That Peculiar," "Down By the River"), the selection of new songs is largely co-written by McDonald and Sims and it feels like the process may have reinvigorated McDonals is he has never sounded or interpreted better than on this release. This man should be considered a national treasure.

I have read some reviews, including Amazon's, which did not think very highly of this release, but I must respectfully disagree and give this my strongest seal of approval.

As a fan of Michael McDonald since the doobie days, I can NEVER get enough of this man's music! Blue Obsession is well worth the 7 year wait. The talent expressed on this CD should once again warrant a grammy or two for Michael (and his band). He rocks better than he did in the good 'ole doobie days on "Obsession Blues". He continues to hold his own with making memorable love songs, like "Where Would I Be Now". "No Love to be Found" has "HIT" written all over it!

OK. I am a fan. Love Mike McDonald's voice. I recognize his awesome talent. And what a wonderful album to add to his body of work... If you aren't dancing around the room or at LEAST on your feet for the first three songs..someone has superglued your butt to the chair.
For the naysayers....someone poured hot wax in your ears! ... This is a MUST own album. Yes, there a few dogs... I found "Where would I be Now" tired and limp.
McDonald's voice is neither strained or tired. I think he is taking good care of the pipes. And those of us who have been around for a while can appreciate where McDonald has derived some of his more realistic lyrics.
But "Ain't that Peculiar" is fabulous..and "You can't make it Love" is a melancholy lullaby and a fitting end.

I am a big Michael McDonald fan, but admit I've been disappointed with his last few efforts. Blink of an Eye wasn't bad, but it wasn't great, and Take it to Heart was just sad. Blues Obsession is easily his best CD since No Lookin' Back. There are a couple of wonderful ballads, several songs that are upbeat (but not weird like some of his previous ones), and there are none of the painfully slow, comatose-inducing songs like those on Take it to Heart. If radio stations will just listen, he'll have several hits!