Customer Reviews

In the Spirit: A Christmas Album

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Never one to follow convention, Mike McDonald takes a daring turn away from your standard Christmas release and graces us with In The Spirit.....A Christmas Album. It's a joyous, spiritual, rocking collection with 8 of the 11 tunes written or co-written by McDonald. The lyrics here dance around the usual themes of Christmas tidings, and offers more.......the joy of everlasting hope and the belief that our faith will see us through....surely helpful in these recent difficult days. The highlights: "To Make A Miracle", smooth and jazzy......."Children Go Where I Send Thee", a funky 16th note gospel rave-up with with killer vocals by Mike and Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark......."Every Time Christmas Comes Around", with it's sing-it-all-day chorus and wonderful background vocals by The Man........"Peace" is so emotional. A hymn-like prayer of one reaching out to God in his greatest time of need.........."One Gift" has great potential as a single and finds Mike teaming up again with James Ingram,a pairing that produced a Grammy for "Yah 'Mo Be There". The chorus is guaranteed to bring bird leather........"On This Night", written by Mike, co-producer Marc Harris and Bernie Chiaravalle, offers an achingly beautiful string arrangement, a memorable melody, and sings of the birth of Christ and that "...all men might know the meaning of mercy and of love beyond all love..." "House Full Of Love", with it's joyous chorus, bubbling bass lines and Motown strings is a delight........"On Christmas Morning" is a Kenny Loggins/David Foster composition and McDonald makes it his own. It's my favorite vocal performance on the album. With the recent release of the excellent "Blue Obsession", McDonald seems to be entering a busy, creative period in his career. It's all our pleasure.

A friend of mine who lives in Europe asked me to get this album for him. When I read what he was asking for, I was hesitating and asking myself why he wanted to get Christmas music by Michael McDonald. The answer came by itself, just listening to the cd before giving it to him.

This collection is simply impressive, for two reasons. First, it has the Christmas spirit, but it doesn't contain the tunes we have all heard ten zillion times; most of the songs are from Michael McDonald himself, and they are excellent. Second, it shows that Michael McDonald is not musically dead. After the controversial "Blue obsession", a commercial flop (kill me for this if you want, but facts are facts) containing several weak tracks, where MM showed signs of fatigue in his voice, there is nothing to object here : the songs are sung right, the music is excellent, and there is just one track which is a bit repetitive and you end up skipping it. The cd was recorded in Nashville and that also gives a special dimension to the result. The peak moments to me are "House full of love" and "To make a miracle".

I really recommend this album because it is versatile and you will enjoy playing it even if it isn't Christmas. However, be aware that if you are looking for the "typical" Christmas music this might not be for you (despite the cover version of "White Christmas", which by the way is very bluesy). In which case, you have two options : go for the original recordings, or go for the pasty Boney James type cover versions. You see, you really have a choice here...

Like fine wine, it gets better over time. And this CD proves Michael McDonald just gets better as the years go by. Michael McDonald truly sings "In the Spirit", by the true meaning of that phrase. This CD lacks many of the traditional selections that one would see on a Christmas record. But this record speaks to the "true" spirit of Christmas, the birth and gift of Christ. Hey, what an idea. This is a very spiritual recording decorated with sharp production, powerful arrangements and soulful singing by McDonald. Probably his best vocal recording to date. "In the Spirit" mixes an "old school, Gospel feel" with smooth R&B and a touch of Blues Rock. This is best exemplified in "Children Go Where I Send Thee" an old Black Traditional that McDonald helps makes you feel like we're all dancin'in the aisles at church. This CD could easily be played all year long.

When artists decide to do a Christmas album, one must remember that this artist will probably do an album that reflects their own individuality and style. Such is the case with Michael McDonald's first Yuletide outing, "In the Spirit." McDonald and co-producer Marc Harris have selected only three conventional holiday songs, and filled the rest with McDonald/co-penned tunes that generally fit the style we have come to associate with McDonald: husky vocals, funky rhythms, and soulful ballads. For the most part, Michael succeeds. Only his cover of "White Christmas/Winter Wonderland," seems superfluous. Indeed, one can hardly recognize the true melody of "Wonderland," it is so jazzed up. Also, the envigorating and stirring "Children Go Where I Send Thee" goes on a little too long; a minute shorter, it could have been a masterpiece.
Nit-picking aside, though, the remainder offers some enjoyable new Christmas songs, even though few of them have the word "classic" stamped on them. But enjoy them anyway!
My favorites: "Peace," in which McDonald and co-writer Beth Nielsen Chapman have taken the birth of Christ to ask for God's peace and guidance---a beautiful song; "One Gift," in which long-time vocal partner James Ingram lends his considerable talents to a very uplifting and meaningful song; "On This Night," a touching and lovely vocal delivery; and Kenny Loggins-David Foster's "On Christmas Morning," a beautiful salute to love and Christmas.
Michael is to be commended, too, for the tasteful use of his wife and daughter on the opening "Angels We Have Heard on High." Backed by an acoustic guitar, the brief tune is warm and inviting.

This CD has been a welcome diversion from America's recent troubles. The beautiful and soothing "Peace" (co-written with Beth Nielsen Chapman) gives me goosebumps. There are only two or three standards here, which are covered very nicely; the rest are Michael's originals (with the help of some very talented collaborators). Michael has always been a talented singer and songwriter, but he's never been more heartfelt and soulful than here, where he's singing to and about the Lord. Just a little piece of heaven here on earth.

What do you say when you discover an instant classic? This is what Michael has given us in this collection. I discovered this disc Christmas of 2003 and being a huge fan of Michael's since his days with the Doobies, I bought it without ever hearing any of the tracks. What I found was a collection of songs that best conveyed the true meaning of Christmas.

With songs like "Angels We Have Heard On High," "To Make A Miracle," "Children Go Where I Send Thee," "Peace," "One Gift," "World Out Of A Dream," and my personal favorite, "On This Night," Michael eloquently reminds us all that there would be no hope of "Peace On Earth" without the Promise and Gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

Also, with songs like "Everytime Christmas Comes Along," "White Chrstmas/Winter Wonderland" (how cool is that blazing blues guitar on Winter Wonderland!), "House Full Of Love," " and "On Christmas Morning" Michael reminds us that our family and friend relationships help to make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year.

By focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, Michael has created a classic that will endure for many, many years. I have spent many hours listening to this wonderful music all year long.

Michael, I want to thank you for such an inpirational recording. It has moved me to tears of gratitude and joy many times because of the awesome Gift that God gave us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Your gift is also a gift from God that we are so grateful that you chose to share it with us. I pray that God will richly bless you for your willingness to share your heart and that you were not afraid of what the "PC" crowd might say, but that Jesus is the "Reason For The Season."

Yes, this is not your typical holiday cd.
And thank you Michael for that. It has
alittle something for everyone. A few
holiday standards, some blues, some jazz,
some gospel. The only problem I have is
his beautiful voice on the softer songs
makes me want to hear more. The hilights
for me are Peace, On This Night and
the uptempo Everytime Christmas Comes Around.
But, it is his version of Kenny Loggins new
classic, On Christmas Morning that is worth
the cost of the cd alone. When he sings
"you hold me in your arms, we watch the
snowflakes fly" --well you just have to
hear it yourself. Thanks Mike, Thanks Kenny.
Get this cd!

I love this CD and so does the rest of my family. Sure, MM does not cover a majority of traditional Christmas tunes. What he does do is turn out some very spiritual pieces that represent what Christmas truly is. MM's trademark sounds are all over the tunes -- and that is what made them sound great. I liked his daughter on the first track; it gave the song a "family feel." A heartfelt production to be sure.

I absolutely love this CD. Michael is one of the great R&B voices of all time. The arrangements, the soul, the tunes, the messages, the musicians, all the best. As a player and a an R&B vocalist myself, this album made my year. It embodies 2 of the most important qualities of the holiday season, heart and soul. I'll be listeneng to to Christmas music in July. You've given us a gift that will live on for years. Thank you Michael.

Steve

What a great Christmas CD. Good selection of tunes (most new). I could have done without the daughter singing along on the first cut. This made me realize what a great singer Michael is. Now I will have to go back and pick up his newer work. A major talent that is not getting the recognition deserved.