Michael McDonald - In the Spirit: A Christmas Album

In the Spirit: A Christmas Album is everything a Michael McDonald fan could want from a holiday album by one of the greatest blue-eyed soul vocalists of all time. It's firmly within the tradition of latter-day Doobies records and early McDonald solo efforts, resulting in a really pleasing sound, equal parts classic soft rock and classy pop-soul, but there are some differences that give it its own character. First of all, there is a reason why the album is released on MCA Nashville, and there are some hints of contemporary country on songs like "On This Night" and in the arrangement of "Angels We Have Heard on High." Even stronger is the sense of reverence and underpinning of religion and love of family (his wife and child both sing on the record) that give the album a welcome emotional grounding that informs even the songs that revive his classic sound. This surge of emotion combines with a high sense of craft and some really good seasonal and religious material that finds McDonald writing some of his strongest songs in a long time ("To Make a Miracle," the cheerfully insistent "House Full of Love," the swaggering "Every Time Christmas Comes Around," and "One Gift," co-written with and featuring James Ingram). Musically, this qualifies as a nice, welcome surprise for McDonald fans, since it's as good an album as he's done in years (granted, he was a little inactive in the '90s for various reasons, but the sentiment remains the same). And it's not just a good Michael McDonald record -- it's one of the best modern holiday albums in a long, long time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alfred McCrary Vocals (Background) Andrew Ramsey Guitar, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Ann McCrary Vocals (Background) Barry Green Trombone Ben Fowler Mixing, Engineer Bernie Chiaravalle Guitar Chris Farren Vocals (Background) Chuck Turner Engineer Connie Ellisor Violin Crystal Taliefero Percussion Dan Needham Drums, Percussion David Hoffner Synthesizer, String Arrangements, Synthesizer Strings Dennis Keeley Cover Photo Eric Struthers Slide Dobro, Guitar (Baritone), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) Gayle A. West Vocals (Background) Grady Walker Engineer James Ingram Vocals (Background), Vocals Jeff Savage Drum Programming Jerry Joyner Design Jim DeMain Mastering Jim Horn Saxophone, Sax (Baritone), Horn Arrangements John Catchings Cello John Lang Guitar Jovaun Woods Vocals (Background) Kathi Whitley Production Coordination Kirk Whalum Saxophone Lisa Brown Production Coordination Marc Harris Piano, Arranger, Organ (Hammond), Wurlitzer, Synthesizer, Producer, String Arrangements Marty Christensen Engineer Michael McDonald Arranger, Guitar (Acoustic), Keyboards, Vocals, Wurlitzer, Producer, Piano, Piano (Electric), Vocals (Background) Michael Warren Vocals (Background) Mike Haynes Trumpet Rick J. Jordan Drums Ross Pallone Engineer Sam Levine Sax (Tenor), Clarinet Tommy Sims Vocals (Background), Guitar (Electric), Synthesizer Bass, Bass Twinkie Clark-Terrell Vocals Virginia Team Photography