Search - Michael McDonald :: Motown

Pat B. from AMBLER, PA
Reviewed on 4/22/2020...

It's nice that the songwriters or their heirs receive royalties on the cover of these songs. Most tracks begin well, build to some creative interpretation, and employ McDonald's raspy respect for the song. However, McDonald struggles with ending the tracks. Each song is 3 to 60 seconds too long, as he either drifts off into weakness or tries hard to gin up some intense Motown call and response, without success. Toward the end of most tracks, the backup singers carry the weight, and given more prominence, that might have worked. I found myself wanting him to stop singing altogether and let his backup singers take over. Or simply end the performance earlier.

Zada W. from WINONA, MN
Reviewed on 3/5/2012...

I think the music on this cd is a great mixture and I like all of it.

Ruth H. (TxLadyRAH) from LEANDER, TX
Reviewed on 9/22/2006...

I could not tell if this was the one released in June of '03 or Oct., so I just picked June. It's GREAT album.

MICHAEL McDONALD AND THE MOTOWN SOUND ! (it works)

ol' nuff n' den sum | the Virginia coast, USA | 03/24/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a child growing up in the 1960s, I have memories of us kids sitting in the back seat of the family car and listening to "The Motown Sound" on the car's AM radio. Berry Gordy, Jr.'s Motown Records empire dominated AM radio playlists in the sixties, and you didn't have to wait very long to hear a Motown song. Dad always drove, Mom rode shotgun and us kids were all in the backseat. We had a lot of fun back in those days, and the world seemed dependable and carefree. The sweet and soulful "Motown Sound" made it all that much better.



Michael McDonald takes us back to Motown's glory days and the 1960s and 70s with his excellent album, Motown (2003). Not every singer could do a Motown tribute album like this, but Michael not only does a respectable job here, he gives a lot of these songs a lift right into the 21st century. It's a wonderful tribute!



Now, some of you will say that the original versions are better, and I'll be the first to admit that in most cases that's true, but that's not really "what's going on" here. This is Michael McDonald doing an album of updated versions of Motown songs (although most of the arrangements are true to the originals). The production is pristine, full of pop orchestration and soulful female backing vocals just like the original Motown, and in most instances the only difference between the songs on this album and the originals is that Michael is doing the singing.



Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's Ain't No Mountain High Enough and Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing are both notable, but certainly not the only highlights here. Stevie Wonder's All In Love Is Fair gets an emotionally soulful interpretation from Michael and sounds great, even rivaling the original. The cover of Marvin Gaye's I heard It Through The Grapevine is excellent, and I like this heartfelt version of The Temptations' Since I Lost My Baby, too.



No, these aren't the originals, but if you like Michael McDonald and you like Motown, you get both with "Motown"; plus a trip back to a magical time in popular music history."

An amazing performer!

Ms. Lelia Guido | Adelaide, Australia | 02/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This man has the kind of voice which sends chills up your spine. He is such a talent - how can you possibly ever get sick of listening to him. This CD features all the most popular Motown titles and Michael certainly does a good job of it. Do yourself a favour and purchase it."