Author Topic: The Michael McDonald appreciation thread (Read 430 times)

Philip1123 · « **on:** January 03, 2009, 01:26:17 AM »

I am a huge Michael McDonald fan, and unfortunately I've never seen his name mentioned around here, even though he's one of the best RnB/soul singers and musicians of our time. For younger music fans he's the one who made the song "I keep forgetting" () which Warren G took and made into "Regulate". A low profile person, with a tremendous deep voice, he's the blue eyed soul singer.

If there are other fans here who appreciate his music, write something.

Here's some more information.

A prominent part in the soundtrack to our times, Michael McDonald, as an artist and songwriter, has been awarded an impressive five Grammys®. However, by maintaining a low-key profile, the contrast of Michael McDonald as a person and as a musician is astounding. Though comfortable onstage, he has never been a flashy entertainer, nor has he been distracted by passing trends. Instead, McDonald has triumphed through music alone, with a remarkable voice and a body of well-crafted songs. Few have made such an impact with so much substance and so little hoopla.

Known equally for his benevolence, as his musical prowess and successes, Michael McDonald has lent his talents and energies to a long, varied list of charitable causes throughout the first three decades of his career and he has contributed an overwhelming amount to numerous benevolent events and enterprises. Michael's recent appearances have included a tsunami relief concert sponsored by The Wave in Los Angeles; TJ Martell's Stevie Wonder tribute, NARAS/MusiCares' tribute to Brian Wilson in 2005 and again in the 2007 tribute to Don Henley; Morehouse College's tribute to Ray Charles, a fundraiser for Stax Museum and shows for The Little Sisters of the Poor in San Pedro, CA, and the Sisters of Mercy, in Oakland, CA, among others. Michael also participated in the 7UP Grammy Signature Schools Program and painted a Gibson Les Paul guitar for a NARAS/MusiCares auction. McDonald was recently honored at the WHY-Chapin awards dinner with the prestigious ASCAP Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award for both his musical career and his vast charitable endeavors. McDonald continues his fundraising efforts actively working with WHY's - Artists Against Hunger & Poverty program.

Michael's matchless and prolific consistency through more than 25 years of recording and performing was celebrated in August 2005 by Warner Brothers, who released Michael McDonald: The Ultimate Collection, highlighting the wide breadth of his career from his days with The Doobie Brothers to his solo hits, to his version of the Motown favorite Ain't No Mountain High Enough.

Michael recorded a 2005 holiday CD, Through the Many Winters, A Christmas Album, that was recorded specifically for Hallmark Cards and sold exclusively through Hallmark Gold Crown stores. This collection of traditional and original holiday songs was certified gold within two weeks of the album's release.

With a career that has seen innumerable chart successes and sales feats and as an artist who has maintained consistent popularity and earned numerous accolades in both personal and professional arenas, McDonald remains the artist's artist and an enduring presence in popular music.

Digital Pimpin' · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2009, 04:13:14 AM »

Dude got a real soulful voice.

jeromechickenbone · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2009, 06:09:25 AM »

Dude has an amazing voice and is a very talented song writer.

Peep game:

Doobie Brothers - "What a Fool Believes" Thats him on the vocals and the keys. He wrote this song.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/jXRRMPQm4zU" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/jXRRMPQm4zU</a>

Live Version - Just to show you MM in action...fuckin really dope shit here:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/9oh3_q89tDw" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/9oh3_q89tDw</a>

Robbie Dupree - "Steal Away" Obviously not Michael McDonald performing (at least Robbie Dupree has a sick beard though), but this is another song written by MM. You can def hear MM's style on this, and it's similar to that Doobies joint.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/zj7pVfkSibQ" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/zj7pVfkSibQ</a>

Philip1123 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2009, 06:58:00 AM »

Nice to see there are other people who can apreciate quality music, and don't stick strictly to rap. McDonald is one of the best singers/popwriters for sure. His keyboards are amazing, I wonder how come more rap producers don't sample his music (better that way actually)

jeromechickenbone · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2009, 07:02:12 AM »

Quote from: Philip1123 on January 03, 2009, 06:58:00 AM

I wonder how come more rap producers don't sample his music (better that way actually)

Warren G knows whats up...

Warren G vs. Michael McDonald

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/af_GmCqYPjI" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/af_GmCqYPjI</a>

Philip1123 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2009, 08:46:11 AM »

Yes, actually Warren G did next to NOTHING when he took the beat and just put it into "Regulate" with some very minor adjustments... He's a great producer but the credit for the beat on that song isn't his...

Mygla · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2009, 10:13:46 AM »

Very talented musician, both on the keys and vocally. But as a writer he never brought much to the table IMO.. Very little structure and much nonsense, it works well in a pop perspective, but compared to the real soul legends, it's gibberish