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Michael McDonald never disguises what his seventh solo album is: the title Motown makes it clear that this 2003 effort is a tribute to the glory days of Berry Gordy's Detroit empire. McDonald never strays too far from that thesis, occasionally dipping into the late '70s for material (he takes on Marvin Gaye's "I Want You") and sometimes choosing to wax relatively obscure items from Motown's vast, rich catalog, but for the most part, this is devoted to the songs that you know by heart, whether you were a kid in the '60s or raised on oldies radio. Since this is McDonald, not a neo-soul neophyte, this is cleanly and sharply produced, relying heavily on synthesizers, drum machines, and professional vocalists, but anybody who has spent any time with his solo records will find this not to be objectionable, but par for the course. If McDonald doesn't reinvent these songs -- hell, he uses the original arrangements as a blueprint, then cleans them up -- he does display a love and reverence for the work, and his singing is passionate throughout. Ultimately, Motown doesn't add much to his discography, but for those who love McDonald and Motown in equal measures, it's a fine listen.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Chris Rodriguez, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Swain, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Waller, Percussion, Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Cliff Masterson, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tim Akers, Hammond Organ, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jennifer Karr, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Barrett Strong, ComposerLyricist - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Norman Whitfield, ComposerLyricist - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann McCrary, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tammy Taylor, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicky 'Misschief' Shaw, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Gale M. West, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Chris Rodriguez, Sitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Swain, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Tracy Ackerman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - THOM BELL, ComposerLyricist - LINDA CREED, ComposerLyricist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Chris Rodriguez, Electric Guitar, Sitar, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan East, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Garrett, ComposerLyricist - Michael Thompson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Waller, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lula Mae Hardaway, ComposerLyricist - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Syreeta Wright, ComposerLyricist - Ricky Lawson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Stevie Wonder, ComposerLyricist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - KEVIN WHALUM, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann McCrary, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tammy Taylor, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alfreda McCrary Lee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gale M. West, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Duane Starling, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Kenneth Gamble, ComposerLyricist - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Douthit, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - JERRY ROSS, ComposerLyricist - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann McCrary, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tammy Taylor, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gale M. West, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Tracy Ackerman, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - NICKOLAS ASHFORD, ComposerLyricist - Valerie Simpson, ComposerLyricist - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Nathan East, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Michael Thompson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, StudioPersonnel - Ricky Lawson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Akers, Hammond Organ, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lamont Dozier, ComposerLyricist - Eddie Holland, ComposerLyricist - Brian Holland, ComposerLyricist - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - KEVIN WHALUM, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann McCrary, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tammy Taylor, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alfreda McCrary Lee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicky 'Misschief' Shaw, Drums, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Gale M. West, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Duane Starling, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Tommy Sims, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Rodriguez, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan East, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Tim Akers, Hammond Organ, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, Keyboards, Background Vocalist, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Lamont Dozier, ComposerLyricist - Eddie Holland, ComposerLyricist - Brian Holland, ComposerLyricist - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nicky 'Misschief' Shaw, Drums, Percussion, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Chris Rodriguez, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan East, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Swain, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Thompson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Ricky Lawson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - NICKOLAS ASHFORD, ComposerLyricist - Valerie Simpson, ComposerLyricist - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann McCrary, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tammy Taylor, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Gale M. West, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Robert Waller, Programmer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Stevie Wonder, ComposerLyricist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nicky 'Misschief' Shaw, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Nathan East, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Michael Thompson, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Ricky Lawson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Nick Ingman, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Leon Ware, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Guitar, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tim Carmon, Hammond Organ, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - ARTHUR ROSS, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Tommy Sims, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Gwen Gordy Fuqua, ComposerLyricist - Tim Akers, Hammond Organ, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Marvin Gaye, ComposerLyricist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Mark Douthit, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Amy Holland, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sandra Elaine Greene, ComposerLyricist - Audrey Martells, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicky 'Misschief' Shaw, Programmer, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Chris Rodriguez, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan East, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tony Swain, Synthesizer, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Waller, Programmer, Unknown, Other - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Syreeta Wright, ComposerLyricist - Ricky Lawson, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Stevie Wonder, ComposerLyricist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - KEVIN WHALUM, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Jonathan Shakhovskoy, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Keyboards, Drum Programmer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ann McCrary, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Tammy Taylor, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Alfreda McCrary Lee, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicky 'Misschief' Shaw, Drum Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - Gale M. West, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Duane Starling, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Warren Moore, ComposerLyricist - Simon Climie, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, StudioPersonnel - Tim Akers, Hammond Organ, AssociatedPerformer - MICHAEL MCDONALD, MainArtist - Tom Bender, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - SMOKEY ROBINSON, ComposerLyricist - MICK GUZAUSKI, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - ADAM BROWN, Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Toby Baker, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Joel Evenden, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
Album review
Michael McDonald never disguises what his seventh solo album is: the title Motown makes it clear that this 2003 effort is a tribute to the glory days of Berry Gordy's Detroit empire. McDonald never strays too far from that thesis, occasionally dipping into the late '70s for material (he takes on Marvin Gaye's "I Want You") and sometimes choosing to wax relatively obscure items from Motown's vast, rich catalog, but for the most part, this is devoted to the songs that you know by heart, whether you were a kid in the '60s or raised on oldies radio. Since this is McDonald, not a neo-soul neophyte, this is cleanly and sharply produced, relying heavily on synthesizers, drum machines, and professional vocalists, but anybody who has spent any time with his solo records will find this not to be objectionable, but par for the course. If McDonald doesn't reinvent these songs -- hell, he uses the original arrangements as a blueprint, then cleans them up -- he does display a love and reverence for the work, and his singing is passionate throughout. Ultimately, Motown doesn't add much to his discography, but for those who love McDonald and Motown in equal measures, it's a fine listen.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:50:45
- Main artists: Michael McDonald
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Universal Music Group International
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2003 Universal Music International Ltd. ℗ 2003 Universal Music International Ltd.
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