Track Listing

1. All I Need
2. No Love to Be Found
3. Obsession Blues
4. Where Would I Be Now
5. Build upon It
6. Meaning of Love
7. Open the Door
8. Kikwit Town
9. Down by the River
10. Someday You Will
11. Ain't That Peculiar
12. You Can't Make It Love

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56584 in Music
• Released on: 2000-03-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
Well into the '80s, Michael McDonald was California rock's white-soul singer of choice. The '90s saw his commercial stock falling, though, and the indie-label Blue Obsession is his first disc in years. McDonald has hardly shifted his allegiances; the studio-crafted grooves and plummy vocals here could have come from any of his post-Doobies records. The music rarely surprises--though the opening cut, "All I Need," does indicate that McDonald may be at least sympathetic to hip-hop--but he does throw a curve with a cover of Neil Young's "Down by the River" that probably won't capture a lot of airplay on smooth-jazz stations. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Peculiar That It Took So Long...
...for Mike McDonald to resurface. From the start to finish, this was vintage Michael McDonald. "Kikwit Town"'s lyrics were both troubling and moving and the music was well done. "You Can't Make It Love" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, McDonald voice is strong, full and he sings this song with genuine emotion. "Ain't That Peculiar" is another funky favorite. "Someday You Will" was supposed to feature 3 members of Take 6 in the background and unfortunately I was unable to hear them. Overall, he's still the most unique voice I've ever heard. To me his R&B/jazz/gospel vocals blended with rock/pop music makes his sound familiar to the old "Doobie" fans, but unique to anyone who listens. McDonald is one of the few artists who should never change...he's all that and more!

If you listen to idiots, you miss the best music...
Forget Amazon's corny review. Forget the other negative reviews. If you listen to idiots, you won't discover Michael McDonald's diversity as an "all around player.

If the cards are played right, Blue Obsession stands a great chance of spinning off a few "top 10" hits. Already, "The Meaning of Love's" last count at radio was #33, which may be up to #20 by now.

Michael McDonald is still Michael McDonald. The problem is, I THINK, is that Michael's diversity is too strong for the idiots who were used to his "rock" edge in the 70's and 80's -- those who aren't open-minded, surely won't like this CD, because it showcases his roots of R&B, and was produced primarily by multi-cultural producer Tommy Sims.

My take is for people to grow up. I'm 20 years old, and love every song that Michael has made in the past -- But my take is that Blue Obsession is Michael's strongest album, ever. The talent is strong, the duets are marvelous, and the sound is unique.

For those who aren't aware -- Michael wanted to recapture the feel of 50's recordings.. which is why songs like "Open The Door" have an aged, classical sound...

So, before listening to idiots, judge the content by listening first... there's a song for everyone.

Finally...
Michael McDonald has finally put out an album worthy of one of the greatest voices in music. The overblown "L.A." production values that have destroyed everything he's done since "No looking back" are gone and instead the listener is treated to a real band with fat drums and bass, B3, guitar and soulful arrangements. Stylistically, it's much more like his great take on Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops" from the Rock and Soul Revue disc. His cover of Neil Young's long-forgotten "Down by the River" reminds you how a great singer can redefine a great song. (He could have let the guitarist stretch out a little on that one but who's complaining?) If you like MM but have been a little disappointed in his lackluster material, this is his strongest release in years.