The unforgettable voice of Michael McDonald is back with his follow up to his two Motown tribute albums! The former Doobie Brother and touring member of Steely Dan returns with a 13 track record, featuring some of Michael'... more »s favorite songs: "Love TKO" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Walk on By" by Dionne Warwick, "Into The Mystic" by Van Morrison, "Living For The City" by Stevie Wonder, "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley and more. "Soul Speak" also features the brand new song from Michael "Getting Over You". Let Michael's familiar voice take you higher with "Soul Speak".« less
The unforgettable voice of Michael McDonald is back with his follow up to his two Motown tribute albums! The former Doobie Brother and touring member of Steely Dan returns with a 13 track record, featuring some of Michael's favorite songs: "Love TKO" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Walk on By" by Dionne Warwick, "Into The Mystic" by Van Morrison, "Living For The City" by Stevie Wonder, "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley and more. "Soul Speak" also features the brand new song from Michael "Getting Over You". Let Michael's familiar voice take you higher with "Soul Speak".
Robert | San Diego, California United States | 03/07/2008
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I've read the other reviews so I won't repeat the main points of his great voice and tepid remakes. If you want to hear Michael with an inspired voice and interpretation listen to his guest track on Foreplays "X" cd, My Love's Leaving Me. You wil replay it again and again. I have been a fan since his first cuts with the Doobie Brothers. Been to a dozen of his shows. He's jumped the shark here and needs to retreat and find his voice again with songs he can truly leave his mark on. If you haven't seen him live, go. But don't waste your money on this cd."
[...] Review
Sandy Shore | Monterey, CA | 04/02/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not going to lie to you, I'm biased. Michael McDonald is an all time favorite of mine. From the days when I would lug that Doobie Brothers 8-Track tape into the Mustang on my way to high school and play it as loud as the dial would allow on all six of those car speakers to each and every solo CD to date. Michael McDonald is a divine conduit of soul... he's one of kind... the essence of pure, raw, soulful energy. The gift is the voice, but it's really so much more than that. There are singers and then there are singers. This artist allows himself to be open and from that place he gives... so you're not just hearing a pop singer deliver a pop song. You're experiencing a soulful human being bringing all that depth to the microphone and that my friend is where it all starts. Soul it is and soul it must be on SOUL SPEAK. Fourteen tracks featuring some of the best songs ever written with the only common thread being that they are yes, soulful... selections from Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach, Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Bob Marley and originals as well that actually are on par with the above inspired composers. Produced by Simon Climie, long time Eric Clapton collaborator, Climie brings a genuine yet polished intention to SOUL SPEAK providing an extremely satisfying, contemporary experience. This is stellar work... a must have for spring/summer listening... and for me, personally, on continual repeat on my iPod."
Michael McDonald is the king of blue eyed soul
Robert G Yokoyama | Mililani, Hawaii | 03/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love the voice of Michael McDonald. His voice still has the same soulful quality from the 70s. Most of these tracks are classics like "For Once In My Life" and "Walk On By". The back up singers on Walk On By" are so good on this song. My favorite track is "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher". This song makes me good every time I listen to it. "Love TKO" is another standout here. This is the kind of song that can help a person unwind after a busy day. Mike performs "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me" and "Living for the City" with such spirit. These are songs I can tap my feet to and enjoy. "You Don't Know Me" is a beautiful song. The piano playing is great here. "Redemption Song" is a excellent tune about peace. It is interesting to hear the arrangement of this song in a soulful way. The best new track is "Still Not Over You Getting Over Me". This is a lovely love gone wrong song. I like the tempo of the song "Enemy Within". This song is about how everyone has their own demons in life. This disc contains really good soul music."
The Master at Work
G. A. Gallagher | 03/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've read the reviews here and elsewhere, and after buying to this CD and listening to it almost constantly since I bought it, here's my 10 cents worth of thoughts on SoulSpeak.
If you like Michael McDonald, you'll like it. If you don't care for his musical style, (and if you don't, why are you even listening to the cd?) you won't like it.
Let's be honest here. Often, hardcore fans are buying their favorite artists's music not only for the hope of hearing something completely different from previous offerings, but because it hits a musical comfort zone. You liked them then, you like them now because, well, you liked them.
When I buy a MM CD, I want that voice, that soulful approach to a song he brings. I enjoy his own compositions, I'm interested to hear his take on another singers work.
As a musician in his 50's, coming with the musical pedigree he has, he needs to prove nothing. He's been a hit machine, added depth to other's work in duets and as a backup singer, put his own spin on classics. This CD reflects that. Some new work of his own, some interpretations of other's.
I've got Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic," and liked McDonald's twist on it here. Likewise, "Love TKO."
Will this CD win him new fans? Maybe. More likely, it rewards those listeners who have enjoyed him in the past and are happy as hell he's still singing, arranging and writing. We are past looking to the Top 40 for the music we want in our lives (although we enjoyed the Top 40 stuff in our day) and are glad to have opportunities to share the journey of musicians we revere."
Michael, where are you?
Desdemona | IL USA | 10/25/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"What happened to the Michael McDonald who produced the great gems in "Blink Of An Eye", "If That's What It Takes", "No Lookin' Back, and "Take It To Heart".
Please stop with the Motown already. I'm from Motown. The Motown sounds were great, and still are, but enough already.
Please come back to "Your" old style. We miss you.