Michael McDonald - The Ultimate Collection

Since Warner/Rhino's 2005 Ultimate Collection appeared a mere four years after their last Michael McDonald compilation -- 2001's The Very Best of Michael McDonald -- it may seem that it's a little early to rehash the same recordings yet again. That suspicion is unfounded, since The Ultimate Collection finally delivers what McDonald fans have been waiting for: his solo hits and Doobie Brothers smashes on the same disc. Not that this has every hit he ever had -- his minor 1991 single "All We Got" isn't here, for instance -- but most listeners won't notice the omissions since this 19-track collection has "What a Fool Believes," "Takin' It to the Streets," "Minute by Minute," "You Belong to Me," "Real Love," "It Keeps You Runnin'," "I Gotta Try," "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)," "No Lookin' Back," "Sweet Freedom," "Yah Mo B There," and even his recent 2004 hit cover of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Consequently, this is by far the best showcase for his smooth, soulful soft rock, and the one Michael McDonald disc fans both casual and fanatical should own. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alan Fletcher Executive Producer Albert Wing Sax (Tenor) Amanda Smith Project Assistant Amy Holland Vocals (Background) Ann McCrary Vocals (Background) Anthony Patler Keyboards Arnold McCutler Vocals (Background) Barbara Ingram Vocals (Background) Barry Alfonso Liner Notes Becky Wagner Project Assistant Benmont Tench Organ (Hammond) Bernie Chiaravalle Soloist, Guitar, Rhythm Arrangements, Coral Sitar, Guitar (Rhythm) Bill Inglot Remastering Bill Payne Synthesizer Bill Reichenbach Jr. Trombone Billy Livesay Organ (Hammond) Bobby LaKind Bongos, Vocals, Conga Brandon Fields Sax (Alto) Brian Mann Synthesizer Bruce Fowler Trombone Bruce Swedien Producer Burt Bacharach Producer, Piano Carla Benson Vocals (Background) Carlos Vega Drums Chet McCracken Marimba, Drums, Vibraphone Chris Rodriguez Guitar (Electric) Chuck Findley Trumpet Clydene Jackson Vocals (Background) Cornelius Bumpus Vocals, Saxophone Cory Frye Editorial Supervision Cynthia Edwards Vocals (Background) Dan Hersch Remastering Dan Needham Drums Dann Huff Guitar Danny Sembello Keyboards David E. Williams Guitar David Foster Synthesizer David Frank Horn Arrangements, Synthesizer Horn David Lasley Vocals (Background) David Pack Guitar David Paich Horn Arrangements, String Arrangements Denis Solee Saxophone Dick Rudolph Producer Don Was Synthesizer Programming, Sequencing, Producer Doug Moffet Saxophone Evette Benton Vocals (Background) Gale Mayes-West Vocals (Background) Gary Grant Trumpet Gary Peterson Discographical Annotation George Perilli Drums Ginger Dettman Project Assistant Greg Phillinganes Keyboards, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, DX-7 James Ingram Vocals, Synthesizer Jean Krikorian Design, Art Direction Jeff Baxter Guitar Jeff Bova Organ (Hammond), Synthesizer Bass, Clavinet Jeff Porcaro Drums Jenni Muldaur Vocals (Background) Jerry Hey Trumpet Jesse Butler Organ Jimmie Haskell String Arrangements Jimmy Bralower Drum Programming John "4 Daddman" Robinson Drums John Hartman Percussion, Drums John McFee Vocals, Guitar John Tesh Sequencing, Synthesizer Programming Julia Tillman Waters Vocals (Background) Keith Knudsen Drums, Vocals Kenny Loggins Vocals (Background) Larry E. Williams Synthesizer, Keyboards, Horn, Horn Arrangements Lee Thornberg Trumpet Lenny Waronker Producer Lisa Young Vocals (Background) Louis Johnson Bass Manu Katche Drums Marc Harris Organ (Hammond) Mark Douthit Saxophone Maureen McDonald Vocals (Background) Maxine Willard Waters Vocals (Background) Michael Boddicker Synthesizer Michael d'Wayne Mason Sequencing, Synthesizer Programming Michael Hanna Synthesizer Programming, Sequencing Michael Hart Thompson Guitar Michael McDonald Rhythm Arrangements, Vocals, Wurlitzer, Producer, Synthesizer, Vocal Arrangement, Keyboards, Compilation Producer, Vocals (Background), Fender Rhodes, Piano Mike Engstrom Project Assistant Mimi Miraflor Artist Coordination Nathan East Bass Neil Stubenhaus Bass Nicolette Larson Vocals Patrick Simmons Guitar, Vocals Patti LaBelle Vocals Paul Jackson, Jr. Guitar Paul Riser String Arrangements Paulinho Da Costa Percussion Peter Wolf Synthesizer Pino Palladino Bass Quincy Jones Producer, Voices Randy Jacobs Guitar (Rhythm) Rev. Patrick Henderson Keyboards Reverend Dave Boruff Saxophone, Flute Ricky Lawson Drums Robben Ford Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar Robin Hurley Artist Coordination Rod Temperton Synthesizer, Horn Arrangements, Keyboards Roger Ressmeyer Photography Rosemary Butler Vocals Russ Titelman Producer Siedah Garrett Vocals (Background) Simon Climie Producer Sir Harry Bowens Vocals (Background) Steve Gadd Drums Steve Lukather Guitar Steve Woolard Discographical Annotation Steven P. Gorman Photo Research Sweet Pea Atkinson Vocals (Background) Tammy Taylor Vocals (Background) Ted Templeman Percussion, Tambourine, Cowbell, Maracas, Producer Tim Akers Vocals (Background), Soloist, Tom-Tom, Horn Arrangements Tiran Porter Vocals, Bass Toby Baker Drum Programming Tom Roady Percussion Tommy Sims Synthesizer, Vocal Arrangement, Guitar, Rhythm Arrangements, Clavinet, Fender Rhodes, Bass, Horn Arrangements, Guitar (Rhythm), Producer Tony Swain Fender Rhodes Warren Haynes Soloist, Guitar Wells Christy Synclavier Wendy Moten Vocals, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background) Willie Weeks Bass