Customer Reviews

Very Best Of: Sweet Freedom

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I HAVE ALL MICHAEL MCDONALDS ALBUMS, TAPES AND CDS. THIS ONE IS THE BEST OF ALL. THIS CD CONTAINS THE HEART AND SOUL SONGS OF MICHAELS.IF YOU HAD TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE CD BY MICHAEL MCDONALD THIS WOULD BE THE ONE TO GET!HOPE I DON'T WEAR IT OUT BY PLAYING IT SO MUCH.

Thus begins this excellent solo hits compilation for Michael McDonald, whom, for some reason, I always thought was English. As it turns out, he's from St. Louis, Missouri. Anyway, the former Doobie Brother has managed to create and maintain a really great selection of great music tracks that have been radio staples for quite a while. However, as some people might not be aware of, this collection is way back from 1986, which means Michael's late '80's and '90's material are absent. And I do certainly hope that eventually there is a second CD which chronicles those songs, as I know that I've heard them before, whatever they're called. Anyway, the songs I really like from this collection are the title track "Sweet Freedom", "(I'll Be Your) Angel", my absolute favorite "Yah Mo B There" with James Ingram, who is an excellent soulful singer in his own right, I remember another song of his, "I Don't Have The Heart". I also like "I Keep Forgettin'", "On My Own" with Patti LaBelle, a good female soul singer, "No Lookin' Back", and the late '70's Doobie Brothers hit "What A Fool Believes", which Kenny Loggins co-wrote with McDonald. All in all, a great collection. And hey there, "Mistermaxx", I see that you and I still continue to have a greatly similar taste in music, I hope you're doing all right. Keep up the good work, by the way. Like I said, I hope that there will eventually be another CD that includes the rest of McDonald's radio hits. Who knows, maybe later. Bye now!

A great collection of songs from a great singer. An album were every track isn't a waste...that's a rarity in CDs... but this best of album is truly a great compilation. The secret is simply Michael's voice and great compositions/arrangements. One of my all time favorite singers, this album makes this one of my all time favorite CDs. I hope Michael McDonald makes more CDs and gets better exposure internationally. Personal favorites are Sweet Freedom, On My Own, I Keep Foprgetting, What a Fool Believes... but the best track of them all is I CANT LET GO NOW!!!! Buy this one!

Boy, is it ever worth it! This collection is SO much better than the newly released collection by Rhino.

After I finally got sick of waiting for the Rhino CD to come out, I gave up one day and bought this album. I had seen it many times before, but I held back 'cause of the price. Not any longer. This is the best compilation that this extyremely talented musician could've released.

I knew many of the hits and I was pleasantly surprised by the cuts I was unfamiliar with. Every one is just terrific!

Your collection definately needs this one ;)

Mike McDonald was too big to be just a backing singer -- even on Steely Dan's classic KATY LIED -- and too much of a keyboardsman to survive for long in the guitar-centred Doobie Brothers. It was inevitable that with his strong songwriting abilities, he would end up in a solo career.

The tragedy for Mike was that his solo career happened in the 1980s, which was a terrible decade for synthesized drum and keyboard sounds. So many artist retrospectives have been ruined by the Yamaha DX7 and Simmons drum tones that dominated that era and now sound very dated.

Mike McDonald recorded some magnificent singles -- so good that they soar above any dubious-sounding keyboard backing. The stand-out tracks here are the sublime duet 'On My Own', co-written by Bayer Sager and the demi-god, Bacharach, 'I Keep Forgetting', and the Quincy Jones team's 'Yah Mo B There'. These three tracks on their own justify the price of this, or any other collection.

It is extraordinary that the US has never issued its own compilation of McDonald recordings. His many fans have had to rely on expertly remastered imports such as this.

While waiting (impatiently) for the next solo album, this is a good chance to review McDonald's career. It includes tracks not found on either Doobie Bros. or solo McDonald CDs, and for that alone, it's worth the rather hefty price tag. (It'll save you from having to buy the soundtrack to "Running Scared" or whatever Patti LaBelle album "On My Own" is on.) The remixed, rethought "Our Love" is particularly fine. Enjoy.

Michael Mcdonald's Best of FInally! all The Jams are here.I Keep Forgettin",Yah Mo B There with His Voice SOundalike James Ingram.What A FOol Believes is still the Jam.this is a Must.His Voice&Music are Solid on this Set.

McDonald truly has the most soul-filled voice this side of Darryl Hall. His range continues to amaze in this collection of hit songs. Just press play...you won't need to change tracks.

Michael is a very talented and gifted artist, never compromising his art in any endeavor. I greatly respect him
for this. This one truely shows his every talent and a treasure to listen to. I greatly look forward to seeing one
of his concerts locally in September. He latest cuts prove he only gets better and remains constant. Each song and his talent reaches the depths of your soul. The only change he will have is to get better and better. He is truely "Mr. Blue Eyes Soul Man". So underrated by critics, but so loved by his fans as I am. That is what is most important.
Yes, this one is more than 5 stars in my book.

I enjoyed this entire CD for the song selections and quality. This is classic Michael McDonald from some of the Doobie Brothers songs to songs that he composed, like "I can let go now" which is a very touching song that you will want to play again. I didn't know he was a composer as well as a singer and musician until I heard this CD. You can't go wrong with buying it.