Motown Two

Michael McDonald | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B000641D6K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,356 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Blue-eyed soul crooner Michael McDonald gave his career a much-needed shot in the arm with 2003's Motown, a commercially well-received collection that matched the one-time Doobie Brother and '80s solo star's rich vocals with songs from Hitsville's peak. One year later, McDonald again delves into the Motown bag to come up with another 14 selections from such giants as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson. McDonald is a distinctive enough vocalist to bring something to these classics, as tough as that task is. Unfortunately, the uninspired production and stilted musicianship keeps the likes of "I Was Made to Love Her," "Tracks of My Tears," and Nowhere to Run" from being anything more than dubious offerings to McDonald partisans. Motown became a hit factory as much on the strength of its foot soldiers as it did its commanding stars, but producer Simon Cline employs thin and lethargic backing tracks where some of the most inspired pop playing in history once stood. Return to the Motown source to hear inspired pop soul music. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Few Sequels To Outdo The Original, October 26, 2004

By 

Scott Gross (Largo, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motown Two (Audio CD)

Before the first Motown album, Michael McDonald had continued to tour while also working as a songwriter/recording artist after parting ways with Warner/Reprise in the mid nineties. He released a strong album, Blue Obsession, via an independent company that had little chance of being heard by those outside of McDonald's fanbase. Then McDonald's Comet came streaking back into the national consciousness in 2003 via the one-two punch of the Motown album/MCI commercial combo... He was finally able to make the most of an opportunity that presented itself to him. The moons had aligned in his galaxy. The project was a perfect fit for McDonald's type of voice and singing style. The people who purchased it dug it... A LOT.

After the album became the most successful of his solo career, the pressure was ON... What would the music buying public want next from McDonald now that they "found" him again? The choice was obvious, but maybe not the most artistic. When a singer/songwriter is painted into this kind of corner, the challenge becomes clear-- If all they want is another Motown album, make a BETTER Motown album.

He did it.

This new album surpasses the original on almost every level. The production is warmer, the song selection has more edge and McDonald is now at home with the material versus being an enthusiastic visitor for the first one.

There's not a stinker in the bunch. One highlight amongst the highlights is a smoothed out/quiet storm version of the Smokey Robinson classic "Tracks Of My Tears". The arrangers take a little license with the verse chords to great effect, tweaking this already fantastic song into a fresh, original new groove. The same could be said for the subtle Latin samba vibe laid into Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me" and "After The Dance". Keeping the soul flowing is the little known Stevie Wonder composition "Tuesday Heartbreak" (It was the flipside to the 45 single "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"... I was ten!... Old enough to remember). This collection of tracks takes you from the well known thru the lost and found treasures of the Motown catalog, all performed with the grace of a real music business survivor who's also a huge fan of the Hitsville era.

Michael McDonald's distinctive vocals reveal a true passion for the material. He's not only nailing songs that are hard to sing, but he's also bringing his own style to compositions that the original writers couldn't help but respect.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Motown Remembered, April 2, 2005

By 

Andrew I. Kalmanash "A. I. Kalmanash" (Stamford, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motown Two (Audio CD)

Reading several other negative reviews of this album, I was later angered on playing it at the comments.

With people spending small fortunes for the likes of "American Idol" remakes, this recording represents a genuine artistic interpretation of standards by a competent highly accomplished vocalist.

I would purchase this album again, to hear Mr. McDonald's harmonic voice and stylings as well as to renew my acquaintance with songs that can no longer be heard by many artists and as well were once part of our "Popular Scene".

We still go to see Fiddler on the Roof, long after Zero Mostel has passed, and as well with remakes of Charlie's Angels and Miami Vice, the public should be able to appreciate a good performance by a competent artist, without faulting them for not being the first to perform the tune. The public certainly can do this for American Idol, so how about giving Mr. McDonald CD a listen, and enjoy!

Andy

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Happy to hear the 2nd Set, May 5, 2005

By 

Musical Milty (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Motown Two (Audio CD)

I was not going to leave a review, but after reading most of them I changed my mind. First, this set and the first Motown are good CDs. Second, these are tribute CDs to the great Motown era of the late 50s and 1960s. They are NOT supposed to sound like the original hits. Michael and crew have done good job of keeping as true to the original as possible giving them some new sound. Now I will agree that a couple of the tracks could have been produced a little better, but we can find that on most artist's albums (aka CDs). Musically, these are good disks. As far as the tribute part goes...he did a good job at that too, but everyone is judging these songs on their original artists and original production....no tribute can take away the great sounds and memories of the original Motown songs...NOTHING, so enjoy this disk and the first Motown for what it is...one artists interpretation of something great