Customer Reviews

The Very Best of Michael McDonald

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of course, being a huge Michael McDonald fan, I cannot be displeased with much that he puts out. Particularly on this album, I was impressed with the very powerful remake of "Higher Ground", and I cannot believe it was never released before. Yet I was disappointed to see that, for those who do not have all of Michael's collections (as I do), they will be missing out on "Hey Girl" and his duet with Aretha Franklin, "Everchanging Times". If you read the cover inside the CD, a lot of the songs (although good) didn't even reach the charts, so I question why they are there. I disagree with someone who mentioned he should've thrown in Doobies material; in my opinion, there are many Greatest Hit packages for the Doobies and doing so for the solo Greatest would just be redundant. I do, however, agree that he could have included the phenomenal performance of "Minute by Minute" played at the New York Rock and Soul Revue. I would recommend this album for those that need a "taste" of Michael's music, but it's a bit lacking for his long-time fans. With the great music I'm hearing on his new album, "Blue Obsession", I think he should've waited until after that release to make this Greatest Hits compilation, because I predict at least a few songs will make it big.

Michael McDonald's distinctive voice and strong songwriting abilities helped turn the Doobie Brothers into a hit-making machine. Michael's outstanding vocals helped sustain his success after he left the Doobie Brothers. "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)," taken from his first solo album, made it all the way to #4 in 1982. However, Michael's songwriting seemed to suffer from a certain sameness, as evidenced by his songs "Matters Of The Heart," "By Heart" and "Take It To Heart" on this collection. Michael's solo career is also noteworthy for his duets, particularly with James Ingram on "Yah Mo B There" (#19 in 1984), and with Patti LaBelle on the smash hit "On My Own" (#1 in 1986). The superb song "Sweet Freedom," which peaked at #7 in 1986, outshines most of the other songs on this collection. Michael's version of the Stevie Wonder classic "Higher Ground," which was previously unreleased, is another highlight on this compilation. Michael McDonald would go on to even greater success covering other Stevie Wonder songs on his recent "Motown" album. Too bad this collection was released before that album came out.

On one hand, Michael McDonald's new collection is an amazing collection of his best work. It gives us his duets "Yah Mo B There" and "On My Own" in the same place. The previously unreleased "Higher Ground" is a powerful number, and "Get the Word Started" is a good one from after his first hits collection "Sweet Freedom-Best of". And yet most of these songs are repeats, which is understandable, since you can't forget "I Keep Forgetting" or "By Heart." But 6 of the songs are from his "No Lookin' Back" album, while his recent album "Blue Obsession" is mentioned in the liner notes but not represented by any song on the cd. Is "Bad Times" essential McDonald? I would be more curious about a track from his latest album sounds like so I could see if I wanted to get it. Instead, I'm fed nearly the whole "No Lookin' Back" album and thus would have no need to purchase that cd for only a couple different songs. And although it's hard to cover everything McDonald did even with 16 tracks, his first solo album "If That's What It Takes" only scored two songs, equal to the amount from "Blink of an Eye" which failed to chart. In spite of these questionable inclusions and exclusions, The album has a clear sound that celebrates McDonald's unique voice. That is what I feel it raises to level of a five-star album, every song is good when McDonald sings it. And the liner notes are about 8 pages and give a biography and photos of Michael while noting trivia about the individual songs on this disc. Some would argue for marketing reasons that it's important to "fill it with hits" rather than show the artist's range from "Ain't that Peculiar" to "Down by the River." And yet if they put in more reasons to check it out like the one previously unreleased "Higher Ground", it would have been a more rewarding album. Nonetheless, whether seen as a former Doobie Brother, a pop hitmaker, or a pure musician, McDonald delivers the goods.

THIS CD INCLUDES THE GREATEST HITS OF MICHAEL MCDONALD,IS GREAT,BUT LOOK FOR THE IMPORT EDITION IT INCLUDES "EVER CHANGING TIMES","WHAT A FOOL BELIVES","I JUST CAN'T LET GO" AND MORE,SO COMPLETE.IT'S UP TO YOU !

Since his solo debut in 1982, McDonald has only dropped 5 more albums. This is the first Stateside attempt at compiling his best solo stuff. Naturally, "On My Own" is included (where's his 1992 AC hit with Aretha Franklin, "Ever Changing Times"?) as well as the James Ingram duet "Yah Mo B There". All of his other Top 100 hits are included as well. Oddly, this CD doesn't include any tracks from 2000's Blue Obsession. And the track listing is a puzzler. There are 6! cuts from No Lookin' Back and only 2 from his other albums. This clocks in at 70 minutes so you get your money's worth for a budget price. But only dropping 2 from If That's What It Takes makes no sense. Taking off a couple of songs from No Lookin Back would have made room for essential album tracks like, "I Can Let Go Now" and "Playin' By The Rules". This CD was co-compiled by McDonald so maybe he felt that No Lookin Back deserves a second chance, but 6 tracks is too excessive on a single CD collection. The liner notes are 2001 up-to-date and the sound is great. A good starter for people wondering what McDonald did after he left the Doobies. But do check out 1982's If That's What It Takes (budget priced) and 2000's Blue Obsession, and of course 2003's Motown to help round out your curiosity.

Michael McDonald's great voice epitomises for me the cool, soulful, sophisticated sound of urban America and this collection provided a very-appropriate soundtrack for my recent cycling tour around the wonderful city of Chicago, where I found this disc for 11 or 12 dollars at a Tower Records superstore. He sings some fine songs here, with my favourites being his 1982 hit I Keep Forgettin', the uplifting call to action Get The Word Started, and the pleasant 1986 US #1 hit On My Own - a duet with Patti La Belle which most 80's radio listeners would remember. His Motown album (mentioned on this site) promises to be a great listen if I can track down a copy... 4 stars from me.

A little twist of words,but this is a cd to be listen to over and over again!!Few people would be able to sing these songs with as much feeling! I enjoy just about anything that this artist sings.He sings from the soul,all you Michael Bolton fans open up your ears,Michael Mcdonald surpasses them all!!

As a fan of blue-eyed soul, I was happy to see a new hits collection of McD issued by Rhino, a company that specializes in these types of issues. The liner notes are comprehensive, including some photos I'd not seen before. The sixteen tracks include all of his solo hits (1982 to 1993) including an unreleased version of Stevie Wonder's 'Higher Ground'. This cover is not his best in my opinion, its arrangment consists of basic keys, guitar, bass and drums, and does not do justice to the original.

Missing is his duet with Aretha Franklin, 'Ever Changing Times', which I would liked to have had. Some of the singles here are not that strong, and seem to act as filler, although I'd say the package is worth buying for stand out cuts like 'I Keep Forgettin', 'Sweet Freedom', and 'On My Own', a duet with Patti LaBelle.

If you're looking for the big Doobie Bros. hits, I highly recommend 'Long Train Running' a four CD anthology of the Doobies also put out by Rhino.

This is a very good collection. BUT, after first listen I felt it was short on "hits". Then I realized that a few of the songs I always liked of his are actually "Doobie Brothers" songs. Specifically "Real Love", "It Keeps You Runnin'", and "What a Fool Believes". All great songs, just not his own. BUT, of his solo stuff, this does have "I Keep Forgettin'(every time you're near)", "Yah Mo B There", and the sweet "Sweet Freedom" from the movie "Running Scared". Plus his cover of "Higher Ground" and other good songs. I guess you just have to decide if you're a "Doobie Brothers" person, or "Michael McDonald" person. I'm both.

It's almost perfect, but it leaves off "Tell It Like It Is" which is on the new import version, and it's a little too heavy with songs from the "No Lookin' Back" album. Also could've used some songs from his "New York Roul & Soul Revue" live album. Or his duet with his wife Amy on the "One Life To Live" album. Or his Winans duet. Signed, I'm Not Happy Unless I'm Complaining