Tell Me About Michael McDonald

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His voice (cringe), his music (ugh) and his hair helmet.

don old, Sunday, 27 June 2004 18:42 (nineteen years ago) link

http://www.thebreeze103.com/images/michaellive.jpg

don old, Sunday, 27 June 2004 18:43 (nineteen years ago) link

possibly the greatest bue eyed soul dude ever. 'what a fool believes' is a wonderful tune.

angel duster, Sunday, 27 June 2004 19:24 (nineteen years ago) link

not the greatest blue eyed soul dude ever! possibly the greatest backup blue eyed soul dude ever though.

cinniblount (James Blount), Sunday, 27 June 2004 19:37 (nineteen years ago) link

My dad bears a grudge 'cause he blames McDonald for killing the original sound of the Doobie Brothers (a point not without merit), but I've always been a huge fan (voice, hair, etc.)...although I must say that I'm less than smitten with this new Motown phase.

And who else can hit those protate-shriveling high notes and make it sound effortless? Who among the living or dead can add depth and emotional resonance to songs from Toto and Christopher Cross? How many have co-written a Van Halen song, for heaven's sake? If you can't show love, at least show some respect.

Erick H (Erick H), Sunday, 27 June 2004 22:27 (nineteen years ago) link

seth putnam (mr. anal cunt himself) likes him:

http://sethputnam.com/seth&michael.jpg

Eisbär (llamasfur), Sunday, 27 June 2004 23:07 (nineteen years ago) link

That song, 'I cAN't forGEt...' is him right? I can't decide if I love or hate that song.

Debito (Debito), Sunday, 27 June 2004 23:10 (nineteen years ago) link

People LOVE his Motown album at the record store where I work.

Must be those phone commericals.

I'm trying to get my friend Joe to this thread. MM is an obsession of ours. According to Joe, MM is epitome of Beard Rock. (Well, "rock" being a relative term here).

Sara Sherr, Sunday, 27 June 2004 23:55 (nineteen years ago) link

"what a fool believes" is the strangest mor song ever.

amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 28 June 2004 00:51 (nineteen years ago) link

my dad is real into MM and the Doobies and I heard that stuff constantly growing up, so I have a deeply ingrained and possibly genetically inherited love for the dude.

Al (sitcom), Monday, 28 June 2004 01:20 (nineteen years ago) link

What a fool believes, he sees the white man has the power.

He would so kick Daryl Hall's ass in "UFC MCXVIII: Blue-Eyed Soul".

MC Frosty Flake, Monday, 28 June 2004 01:32 (nineteen years ago) link

he's on tour with Hall & Oates this summer! it's called "the rock & soul revue" or something like that.

Al (sitcom), Monday, 28 June 2004 01:37 (nineteen years ago) link

Oh, that sounds like a good show. Classic for his backup work on "Peg" alone.

Scott CE (Scott CE), Monday, 28 June 2004 02:00 (nineteen years ago) link

I remember reading somewhere that he was voted by women as the man they would most like to, um, have a long and meaningful conversation with.

jim wentworth (wench), Monday, 28 June 2004 02:13 (nineteen years ago) link

http://www.rapides.k12.la.us/sped/AssistiveTech/KFC_sign.jpg

Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 28 June 2004 02:29 (nineteen years ago) link

if nothing else, classic for "eyes of a child", from the south park soundtrack.

the stop-start modulation coming out of the bridge ("i've got an eye on my hand and still i can't find you") is glorious.

suonolibero (doctor love hewitt), Monday, 28 June 2004 02:46 (nineteen years ago) link

wow, you're all hopeless. or maybe i am since i'm the only detractor. though if he did something for south park, then that's cool that he can laugh at himself. i respect that if nothing else. i know two people that can do impressions of voice and it slays me every time. that picture of seth putnam is awesome, thanks for that!

don old, Monday, 28 June 2004 06:27 (nineteen years ago) link

impressions of *HIS* voice - i can't type

don old, Monday, 28 June 2004 07:37 (nineteen years ago) link

"On My Own" with Patti LaBelle - stone cold MOR classic:

"Now you're even talkin' divorce... and you weren't even married!"

Huey (Huey), Monday, 28 June 2004 09:47 (nineteen years ago) link

Absolute classic, no question.

VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 28 June 2004 13:32 (nineteen years ago) link

"Everytime You're Near" I think is the official title of the "I kEEp ForGETTIn' we're-MOT-IN-LOVE-ANYmore" song.

"Minute by Minute", the song from the Billy Crystal/Gregory Hines movie...

Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Monday, 28 June 2004 14:59 (nineteen years ago) link

That'd be "Sweet Freedom".

Classic Michael McDonald (Steely, Doobie, some solo) is generally fantastic — my friends and I got really fucked up in college and actually arranged a "Michael McDonald Barbershop Quartet."

Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Monday, 28 June 2004 15:15 (nineteen years ago) link

He's not Ronald McDonald.

latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 28 June 2004 15:34 (nineteen years ago) link

without him there'd have been no "Camp Michael McDonald" segment on Conan O'Brien.

Gear! (Gear!), Monday, 28 June 2004 15:40 (nineteen years ago) link

What a fool believes, he sees the white man has the power.

As a kid, I used to think he was saying this! I figured it was some kind of Randy Newman-esque social commentary - you know, only a fool would think that.

Michael McDonald used to make more guest appearances than Snoop Dogg. Listen to more than a few '70s-'80s lite-rock songs at once and you're bound to hear his trademark falsetto.

mike a, Monday, 28 June 2004 16:23 (nineteen years ago) link

BUt really what ARE the words to 'What a Fool?'

57 7th (calstars), Monday, 28 June 2004 16:33 (nineteen years ago) link

I thought it was "the wISE man has the power to reason away." Doing a quick Google search, though, it looks like the actual lyric is "NO wise man has the power..."

That Michael McDonald. Almost as impenetrable as early REM.

mike a, Monday, 28 June 2004 16:41 (nineteen years ago) link

But so, so much better...

Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Monday, 28 June 2004 16:45 (nineteen years ago) link

I always thought the words 'Not that kind of lover' were in there somewhere.

57 7th (calstars), Monday, 28 June 2004 16:57 (nineteen years ago) link

i want dan to grow a m. mcd. mustache. also the eyebrows.

amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 28 June 2004 20:13 (nineteen years ago) link

also he has to stand out in harvard square and sing "on my own" for 9 hours straight; he can invite the human statue girl to sing the patti labelle part.

amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 28 June 2004 20:15 (nineteen years ago) link

That would seriously be the BEST THING EVER.

VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 28 June 2004 20:22 (nineteen years ago) link

Dude, that whole Verizon ad campaign he was in became a Capitol Hill sensation...

Naive Teen Idol (Naive Teen Idol), Monday, 28 June 2004 20:41 (nineteen years ago) link

two years pass...
His voice (cringe), his music (ugh)

whatwhatwhat?

voice is amazing. music is amazing too. michael mcdonald is basically the business

600, Sunday, 22 April 2007 23:43 (sixteen years ago) link

sure we all love what a fool believes, but today i have a soft spot for sweet freedom

love his binman in a suit look too

600, Sunday, 22 April 2007 23:51 (sixteen years ago) link

yah mo be there

blueski, Monday, 23 April 2007 00:21 (sixteen years ago) link

king of all yachtrockers...

Display Name, Monday, 23 April 2007 00:29 (sixteen years ago) link

mike...do you think i should buy a hawaiian shirt?

600, Monday, 23 April 2007 00:32 (sixteen years ago) link

Gareth... only if it helps you feel a little better about late middle age when you smoke cigars on your Four Winns.

Display Name, Monday, 23 April 2007 06:15 (sixteen years ago) link

i have something to look forward to:D

600, Monday, 23 April 2007 08:09 (sixteen years ago) link

http://www.starshop.de/bilder1/wamp5781.jpg

Whiney G. Weingarten, Monday, 23 April 2007 08:15 (sixteen years ago) link

one month passes...

I need help identifying a Michael McDonald song...the chorus goes 'sha sha free / da da da me (horn fill) / you got that da da of love / holding on'

calstars, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 15:01 (sixteen years ago) link

that's 'Siegfried Om', his classic dedication to Buddhist tricksters who work with Siberian tigers.

blueski, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 15:04 (sixteen years ago) link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht_rock

The Macallan 18 Year, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 16:14 (sixteen years ago) link

An old friend of mine got to sing backup with him once, circa '94 - I don't know any singers who aren't at least somewhat in awe of Michael McDonald's voice, it's one of the most distinctive natural gifts I've ever heard (though Boz Scaggs is not-dissimilarly gifted & has better phrasing but gets less love, which is a bummer). Anyhow my friend (who is no slouch, she's got 2 strong octaves at her disposal) said the second THAT SOUND started to come out of his body she got chills, it was like singing with somebody whose craft is from another planet or the distant future or something

J0hn D., Wednesday, 6 June 2007 17:07 (sixteen years ago) link

yamo be there

Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 17:16 (sixteen years ago) link

What's the tune that Regulate samples again?

Jordan, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 17:17 (sixteen years ago) link

"I Keep Forgettin'"

This sounds like the beginning of a very bad joke.

Hurting 2, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 17:24 (sixteen years ago) link

I keep forgettin'.
xpost. lol

jim, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 17:24 (sixteen years ago) link

Michael McDonald's backup vocals are pretty amazing too. On "Peg" by Steely Dan. Ride like the wind by Christopher Cross etc.

jim, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 17:27 (sixteen years ago) link

No more runnin down the wrong road
Dancin to a diffrent drum
Cant you see whats goin on
Deep inside your heart
Always searchin for the real thing
Livin like its far away
Just leave all the madness in yesterday
Youre holdin the key
When you believe it

Chorus:
Shine sweet freedom
Shine your light on me
You are the magic
Youre right where I wanna be
Oh sweet freedom carry me along
Well keep the spirit alive on and on

Well be dancin in the moonlight
Smilin with the risin sun
Livin like weve never done
Goin all the way
Reachin out to meet the changes
Touchin every shining star
The light of tomorrow is right where we are
Theres no turnin back
From what Im feeling

Chorus:

Coz therell be starlight all night
When were close together
Share those feelings dancin in your eyes
Tonight theyre guiding us
Shinin till the mornin light

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 17:30 (sixteen years ago) link

Michael McDonald, philosopher (a tribute thread)

Hurting 2, Wednesday, 6 June 2007 17:35 (sixteen years ago) link

eleven months pass...

So, he's got a new album on which he covers "Redemption Song", "Hallelujah", "Walk On By" & "Into The Mystic".

UH.

etc, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 22:15 (fifteen years ago) link

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LSVq3UOZWCY

omar little, Tuesday, 6 May 2008 22:29 (fifteen years ago) link

classic all the way, imo

omar little, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 17:26 (fifteen years ago) link

I remember watching that bit when it first aired and I had no idea who the hell Michael McDonald was. How times change.

burt_stanton, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 17:38 (fifteen years ago) link

there was a version of Regulators that had the chorus of I Keep Forgetting or whatever between the rap verses. anybody have this version? i've been looking for ages.

brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:03 (fifteen years ago) link

that was the 'jammin remix' off the uk 12"... its on the death row greatest hits 2cd thing that always shows up used for like 5 bucks

and what, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:06 (fifteen years ago) link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQDGlV34BeQ

and what, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 19:06 (fifteen years ago) link

ah, that's it! haven't heard this since i left the UK.

brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 21:17 (fifteen years ago) link

http://90smusix.blogspot.com/2007/09/warren-g-regulate-ep-above-rim.html

found it!

brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 21:30 (fifteen years ago) link

FUCK! that's not the right version. the guy who posted that posted the wrong tracklist!

brotherlovesdub, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 21:33 (fifteen years ago) link

I know for a fact that Papawheelie does a mean Michael McDonald impersonation.

forksclovetofu, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 21:35 (fifteen years ago) link

Just watched the episode of 30 Rock last night where Kenneth sings "Oh Tracy you can’t use any of my songs" to the tune of "What A Fool Believes", after Michael McDonald forbids Tracy from covering any of his songs. Ha!

etc, Wednesday, 7 May 2008 22:02 (fifteen years ago) link

one year passes...

IT KEEPS YOU RUNNING, YEAH IT KEEPS YOU RUNNING!

Jamie_ATP, Saturday, 6 March 2010 23:59 (fourteen years ago) link

three years pass...

tempted.

http://www.davekozcruise.com/2013/

Jamie_ATP, Tuesday, 16 July 2013 16:37 (ten years ago) link

five months pass...

doobies-era spottily playlist

calstars, Monday, 6 January 2014 18:44 (ten years ago) link

Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright" just came on and damn if MM's voice doesn't sound similar.

calstars, Monday, 13 January 2014 12:45 (ten years ago) link

four months pass...

for the last few decades this guy is one bad choice after another

but

but

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjqOsYRQI0o

display name changed. (amateurist), Wednesday, 4 June 2014 11:10 (nine years ago) link

that album has been in the #1 slot in my car's cd changer for 3 years.

adam, Wednesday, 4 June 2014 14:51 (nine years ago) link

love that album so much. perfect sunny morning music.

jamiesummerz, Friday, 13 June 2014 10:00 (nine years ago) link

six months pass...

oof

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohNfQpf8SUY

jamiesummerz, Monday, 12 January 2015 23:42 (nine years ago) link

That record sounds better and better to me every year I get older

walid foster dulles (man alive), Tuesday, 13 January 2015 04:39 (nine years ago) link

four years pass...

His voice (cringe), his music (ugh) and his hair helmet.

― don old, Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:42 PM (fourteen years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Possibly the worst OP in ILX history. And that's saying something.

Uptown VONC (Le Bateau Ivre), Tuesday, 19 February 2019 08:50 (five years ago) link

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blink_of_an_Eye_(Michael_McDonald_album)

there's a paul buchanan writing credit on here.

( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) (jim in vancouver), Wednesday, 27 February 2019 19:12 (five years ago) link

which i can't currently listen to because I'm at work

( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) (jim in vancouver), Wednesday, 27 February 2019 19:12 (five years ago) link

five months pass...

TELL HIM YOU WERE FOOLIN’
...
TELL HIM HES A STRANGER

calstars, Monday, 26 August 2019 01:10 (four years ago) link

two months pass...

McDonald reuniting with the Doobie Brothers for a 2020 summer tour:

The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour
Jun 9 – West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Amphitheatre
Jun 10 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Jun 14 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Jun 17 – Nashville – Bridgestone Arena
Jun 19 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Jun 20 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Jun 23 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Jun 24 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
Jun 26 – Allentown, PA – PPL Center
Jun 27 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
Jun 29 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Jun 30 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Jul 2 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Jul 3 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Jul 19 – Toronto – Budweiser Stage
Jul 22 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Jul 26 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Jul 30 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Aug 2 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug 4 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Aug 8 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago
Aug 14 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
Aug 30 – Denver – Pepsi Center
Sep 2 – Salt Lake City – USANA Amphitheatre
Sep 5 – Seattle – White River Amphitheatre
Sep 12 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sep 18 – Los Angeles – The Forum
Oct 3 – Phoenix – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Oct 9 – Irving, TX – Toyota Music Factory
Oct 10 – Houston – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

shared unit of analysis (unperson), Tuesday, 19 November 2019 17:56 (four years ago) link

three years pass...

I mean, this is as good as a holiday concert can be. Does some standards, but also does his hits ("Sweet Freedom" even!) and closes with a somehow original take on "Hallelujah."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW2gg-GL_Cs

The self-titled drags (Eazy), Sunday, 18 December 2022 04:47 (one year ago) link

six months pass...

This tween who is pants shittingly excited to meet… Michael McDonald. pic.twitter.com/u0dOBR8vkp

— Kendra James (@KendraJames_) June 25, 2023

ludicrously capacious bag (voodoo chili), Monday, 26 June 2023 15:05 (nine months ago) link

the Watch on Twitter button looks like a mustache in this context

sad Mings of dynasty (Neanderthal), Monday, 26 June 2023 15:12 (nine months ago) link

aw that video is adorable.

sad Mings of dynasty (Neanderthal), Monday, 26 June 2023 15:14 (nine months ago) link

one month passes...

i am so in love with this guy rn. the way he just floats over the rhythm goddamn. deep in the doobie bros era so please recommend me other stuff

Heez, Sunday, 20 August 2023 01:34 (seven months ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3rVtcm6pBE

calstars, Sunday, 20 August 2023 01:36 (seven months ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OnhjZcWpaI

calstars, Sunday, 20 August 2023 01:37 (seven months ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvXFGUWBMHY

calstars, Sunday, 20 August 2023 01:38 (seven months ago) link

yes. chinatown is an amazing song. i wonder if bejar was trying to replicate that vibe

Heez, Sunday, 20 August 2023 01:45 (seven months ago) link

What's the tune that Regulate samples again?

earosmith (Neanderthal), Sunday, 20 August 2023 17:57 (seven months ago) link

“I keep forgetting”

calstars, Sunday, 20 August 2023 18:12 (seven months ago) link

yah mo be there
― blueski, Monday, 23 April 2007 00:21 (sixteen years ago) link

brimstead, Sunday, 20 August 2023 18:33 (seven months ago) link

Great deep cut:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alSUZP0_7o4

the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 20 August 2023 18:34 (seven months ago) link

would be so mad to be alive in 1982 and witness the debut of this song and then "welp guess I'll never hear that again but I will inquire at the music store next time I go into town"

Florin Cuchares, Sunday, 20 August 2023 18:50 (seven months ago) link

“Do you know a song that goes do doo do do do doo do?”

calstars, Sunday, 20 August 2023 18:51 (seven months ago) link

what's the name of the song they sampled for Regulate

earosmith (Neanderthal), Sunday, 20 August 2023 18:59 (seven months ago) link

Realized a year or two ago that Minute By Minute sounds a bit like if the Grateful Dead decided to make an album of top-10 pop smashes.

underwater as a compliment (Eazy), Sunday, 20 August 2023 20:01 (seven months ago) link


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