Michael McDonald - Motown

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, All Music Guide

Name Credits Adam Brown Digital Editing, Engineer, Pro-Tools Alfreda McCrary Lee Vocals (Background) Amy Holland Piano, Vocals (Background) Amy McDonald Vocals (Background) Ann McCrary Vocals (Background) Audrey Martells Vocals (Background) Ben Fowler Engineer, Pro-Tools Bob Ludwig Mastering Chris Rodriguez Sitar, Guitar (Electric), Sitar (Electric) Chris Rodriquez Guitar (Electric), Sitar Cindy Rich Make-Up Cliff Masterson String Arrangements Dee Harrington Coordination Don Murray Engineer Duane Starling Vocals (Background) Fourplay Arranger, Performer Gale Mayes-West Vocals (Background) Gavyn Wright String Conductor Grady Walker Engineer Harvey Mason, Sr. Drums, Percussion Isobel Griffiths Orchestra Contractor Jennifer Karr Vocals (Background) Joel Evenden Digital Editing, Assistant Engineer Jonathan Shakhovskoy Digital Editing Kevin Whalum Vocals (Background) Larry Carlton Guitar Leon Ware Vocals (Background) Lisa Patton Production Coordination Mark Douthit Saxophone Michael "Mick" Wilson Cover Photo Michael Hart Thompson Guitar Michael McDonald Performer, Fender Rhodes, Piano, Vocals (Background), Arranger, Vocals Michael Wilson Cover Photo Mick Guzauski Mixing Nathan East Bass Nick Ingman String Arrangements Nicky "Misschief" Shaw Drums, Drum Programming, Programming, Drum Editing, Bass, Arranger, Percussion Paul Waller Percussion, Programming, Effects, Fx Vocals, Sound Replacements Richard Orga Wardrobe Ricky Lawson Drums Shannon Forrest Digital Editing, Engineer Simon Climie Programming, Pro-Tools, Digital Editing, Producer, Arranger, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Tammy Taylor Vocals (Background) Tim Akers Organ (Hammond) Tim Carmen Organ (Hammond) Toby Baker Arranger, Synthesizer Voices, Guitar, Drum Programming, Keyboards, Vocals, Programming, Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Bass), Guitar (Acoustic) Tom Bender Mixing Assistant Tom Sweeney Assistant Tommy Sims Vocals (Background) Tony Swain Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Executive Producer Tracie Ackerman Vocals (Background)