Michael McDonald - Motown (A PopEntertainment.com Music Review)

Michael McDonald - Motown (Motown)

Michael McDonald does have one of the finest white soul voices in the world. With the Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan and over twenty years of solo work his instantly identifiable baritone became a part of the pop music lexicon. So, it makes a certain amount of sense that on his comeback album, McDonald would pay tribute to the music of Motown that so inspired him. And there is a certain symmetry that McDonald released the album on the same label that all these songs became classics on (well all but one... but more on that later.)

For the most part, his voice is a splendid fit for the material. In particular on the early songs, McDonald doesn't get too cute and just records very reverential covers of songs like "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Signed Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)." "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" has become a deserved radio hit. He also does a lovely version of the Stylistics' "You Are Everything", which feels right at home here, even though it wasn't a Motown production, but part of the Sound of Philadelphia.

As he gets more comfortable, he even fools around with the music. He turns "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" into a jazzier sensuous jam than the joyous pop hit duet between the Supremes and the Temptations (which itself was a cover of a song by obscure sixties soulstress Madeline Bell). "Reflections" is also given a more slow-tempoed aching throb and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" is transformed into a strangely lifeless be-bop doo-wop mélange.

The songs are all wonderful, that has been known for years. McDonald's vocals are as smooth as ever, though he sometimes tends to over sing these tunes. Occasionally the arrangements and vocals and instrumentals by jazz band Fourplay get a little too "Bolton-ized" for my tastes, but for the most part it is a strong set. But the question remains, if you want an album with six Marvin Gaye or four Stevie Wonder songs on it, aren't you better off just getting a Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder album? (6/03)

Dave Stohler

Copyright ©2003 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: June 24, 2003.