Rock Flashback: Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald (Getty Images)

In a 2006 concert review, a writer for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described Michael McDonald‘s voice as “like a shout in an oak barrel.” That’s a tremendous description of his highly-recognizable sound. He sang with Steely Dan in the 70s, then joined the Doobie Brothers. He was largely responsible for that band’s transformation from good-time California biker band to blue-eyed soul outfit.

McDonald’s first solo album, If That’s What It Takes, released in 1982, sounded like an extension of what the Doobies had done on Minute by Minute and One Step Closer, the last two albums of their heyday. “I Keep Forgettin’” was a big hit not only on the pop charts, but on the R&B charts too. A duet with soul singer James Ingram, “Yah Mo B There” was big a year later. McD would score a #1 single with Patti Labelle, “On My Own,” and a movie soundtrack hit, “Sweet Freedom.” Four sizable hits in four years wasn’t bad.

Waiting four years to make another record probably was bad, however. Take It to Heart (1990) and Blink of an Eye (1993) failed. At that point, McD’s best career move was backtracking. He sang with ex-Steely Dan mate Donald Fagen in his Rock and Soul Revue and rejoined the Doobie Brothers for a while. In the new millennium, he’s released albums of Motown covers and Christmas music, and toured with Steely Dan.

This week, Michael McDonald celebrates his 60th birthday. Here he is on “Sweet Freedom,” from the soundtrack of the Billy Crystal/Gregory Hines movie Running Scared, which is not a great movie but a remarkably entertaining one.

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