Customer Reviews

If Thats What It Takes

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Though much has been written on the latter transformation to the blue eyed soul outfit of the Doobie Brothers by Michael McDonald, not enough has been written on this album. Put simply its difficult to label it but great music! with the lyrics that show passion and intelligence, especially with the theme of relationships. I suspect that Michael McDonald had many a number done on him by endless females in the late 70' amnd early 80's as I cannot imagine the similar themes explored by "What a Fool Believes", "Real Love", "Minute by Minute" and in this album "I Keep Forgettin' " and "Love Lies" are mere coincidences. The theme is a recurring one however with each song there is a stellar and unique characteristic of style and substance. This album was released during a major turning point in Music's history when Disco was dead, the West Coast sound hiding in a witness protection program and when the world focussed on a new romantic period that is thanfully now forgettable. I have had this album since I could afford it on vinyl,later tape and now luckily on CD it still trascends time and captures an artist truly on the top of his game. Trust me you will have no regrets!

I don't know how, but I happened on this CD recently and when I played it, I remembered how moved I was when I first purchased this CD over 10 years ago. Michael McDonald's voice is one of a kind, his musicianship is stellar, his style and talent as a writer...untouchable. "I Can Let Go Now" still brings tears to my eyes, just as it did many moons ago, when I heard the song as I was experiencing a heartbreak at that time. "Losing End", "Love Lies", etc. this entire CD tells a very vivid, moving story about love and it makes you want to continue to experience love...even at the risk of heartbreak.

Michael Mcdonald is a highly unappreciated artist whose distinctive vocals with Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers & Christopher Cross helped create a pop standard of the 70's & 80's and spawned many imitators. This solo album was his best work, with well written songs, crisp harmonies and excellent musicianship throughout. The title song is & love lies are 2 highlights of a uniformly dynamite effort. I only wish he would record more often.

West Coast feel-good soul, that's what this is.
If this is not your day, put on some Michael McDonald. He'll make it yours.
Just listen to I Keep Forgettin' - a song about love gone and the difficulties dealing with it. It's so uplifting and powerful you realize you will make it through - no matter what.

Michael's voice is smooth like silk yet at the same time its power knocks you off your feet. His trademark keyboard playing makes you want to get up and change the world for the better.

And while I'm at it, just one thing on Louis Johnson, the bass God, on I keep Forgettin'. It's bass/keys Heaven.
His pluckin' and stompin' sound is the bomb. Marvelous how he uses it here, pushin' and simultaneously stoppin' the melody (with the keys and the guitar blending in), in a mid tempo song (not "just" on the funk he and his brother made on their 4 terrific albums produced by Quincy Jones)

It had always been clear Michael would make his own way. He completely changed The Doobie Brothers when he joined them. His unique blend of R&B and West Coast Rock fitted the band perfectly. Sadly it lasted only for four albums (with Livin' on the Fault Line and Minute by Minute being the band's best)

If That's What It Takes came out in 1982. Michael wrote and or co-wrote all songs and got some of his longtime friends to work with him: Ted Templeman - longtime Doobie Brothers producer, Steve Gadd and Jeff Porcaro drums, Dean Parks, Robben Ford and Steve Lukather guitars, Greg Phillinganes, Michael Boddicker, Michael Omartian and of course Michael McDonald himself keys, Willie Weeks, Louis Johnson and Mike Porcaro bass, Lenny Castro, Bobby LaKind and Paulinho da Costa percussion, Tom Scott and Edgar Winter sax
Get this and let Mike's vocal sunshine in.

I don't know what took me so long to get this particular McDonald album because it is beyond transporting - this album is another example of why no one can touch him in the voice and choice of music departments. While listening, I found myself alternately crying ("I Can Let Go Now" is guaranteed to unleash any hidden tears you have stored up over the years) and wanting to dance exuberantly ("I Gotta Try", 'nuff said). His voice is a national treasure - beyond unique, warm, sexy and completely fascinating to listen to, with an incredible range. There isn't one bad track on this album, I would have paid double for it. You need to put this CD in your car stereo and head out for a ride to paradise.

When I listened for the first time to this CD I discovered Michael's music. This Cd is sure the best one of his works. I believe that everyone should have one copy of it just to dream.

There was a time when RHINO - the great American reissue label of the last few three decades - could be relied upon to deliver the goods - always - but not anymore. For years now Rhino has had exclusivity on the entire WEA back catalogue and have been reissuing superbly remastered goodies to beat the band right across the labels incredible board of genres. But for several reissues now (ZZ Top, Zeppelin, The Smiths) - I've noticed a certain sloppiness beginning to creep in - but this - and every other title in this rubbish series - takes the biscuit.

This 2008 reissue is on Rhino's "Flashback" label which given their reputation gives the impression that it's new or even improved - it isn't. The CD arrives shrink-wrapped with it's sticker "Rhino Flashback - Original Artists - Original Album" on the outside - and that's it - nothing else is different - because underneath the shrink-wrap is the exactly the same lame 1980s CD issued some 20 years ago with no change in anything - especially the SOUND.

The sound on this CD is ok at best, dull, hissy and hugely underwhelming at worst. To put this into a proper context - it you test "I Keep Forgettin'" or "I Gotta Try" from the remastered "The Voice Of - Very Best Of" compilation of 2001 - the sound quality couldn't be more marked. The remastered "Very Best" versions are simply stunning - hugely different - and a major revelation soundwise. Knowing how good this album 'could have sounded', you begin to realise what short change this reissue slyly is. The original CD (which is what you're getting here) is on the net for literally a few cents - Rhino are charging ten dollars for a CD you can get in bargain shops!

Unfortunately there are other disappointments in this 'Flashback' series, Little Feat's "Time Loves A Hero" and Hall & Oates "Abandoned Luncheonette" - two more great albums with the same duffer 1980s CD under the shrink-wrap. The only one I'd recommend in the "flashback" series is "But Seriously Folks..." by JOE WALSH, his excellent "Life's Been Good" album from 1978 which was remastered on initial issue anyway - it says so on the inner inlay.

Rhino's slide doesn't stop with 'Flashback' either - their 2008 'Encore' series of 39 titles is the same - gatefold slip of paper - some remastered, most not - 3rd rate titles reissued in a cheap and crappy way. There are some good titles among them - there is - Jo Jo Gunne and John David Souther for instance jump to mind - but their presentation is awful. I bought about 8 more of these titles and stopped because I couldn't stand listening to them anymore.

"If That's What It Takes" is Michael McDonald's 1st solo album from 1982 after he left The Doobie Brothers and is an unduly forgotten Eighties gem - and its so hugely disappointing to have waited all these years to hear a decent remaster of it - and get this lazily repackaged uselessness - yet again! It's a massive disservice to the artist and his fans alike.

Go to iTunes and A/B "I Keep Forgettin'" from this and from the "The Voice Of - Very Best Of" set - and you'll hear the difference straight away.

Avoid this reissue. And shame on Rhino.

PS: Fans of Michael McDonald and his superb songwriting need to check out the USA-only Audio Fidelity 24-Carat Gold CD of "Minute By Minute" by THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, their 1978 Grammy winning album - remastered by STEVE HOFFMAN in 2005 - the sound quality is BREATHTAKING - really great and worth every penny of the cost (Audio Fidelity AFZ 025).

This is a CD I never get tired of listening to. Every song on here is good and some of them are truly fantastic. My favorites are I Keep Forgettin, That's Why, and I Can Let Go Now (which should have been a really big hit song.)

If you're new to the music of Michael McDonald because of his recent Motown albums, then you should do yourself a favor and pick this one up, too.

It has been over 20 years since Michael Mcdonald released his first solo album, it still sounds current and is as great to listen to now as it did then. The title track and Love lies are fabulous, and really showcase the great musicianship on this recording. Losing End is a great alternative version to the funky, slightly countrified original version he recorded with the Doobies.

There really isn't a bad song on this collection. Michael is one of the truly great singers of our time and should be more
appreciated than he is. He is truly an American Master.

Michael McDonald was the heart and soul of The Doobie Brothers. His unique voice and style of keyboards is as recognizable as Eric Clapton's guitar, Phil Collins' drums or Steely Dan's jazzy rock. Although a little airy, this is an excellent body of work. All of McDonald's solo efforts are must haves. How powerful is McDonald's musical presence? Check out the backup work he did on Steely Dan's "Peg" on the Aja album. His background vocals almost overwhelm Fagen's lead voice.