Michael Mcdonald - No Lookin Back
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CD Details
Artist: Michael McdonaldEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
CD Release Date: 1990-10-25
Music Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Soundtracks:
- No Lookin' Back
- Bad Times
- (I'll Be Your) Angel
- By Heart
- Any Foolish Thing
- Our Love
- (I Hang) On Your Every Word
- Lost In The Parade
- Don't Let Me Down
Music reviews of No Lookin Back
Music Review: This is Michael McDonald's Best Solo Album
Rating: 4 Stars
I've always looked at Michael McDonald as the artist that really catapulted The Doobie Brothers to artistic heights. The Doobies originally started out as a Southern Style Rock band. They then found ways to integrate other genres of music. Perhaps this was most prevalent with the addition of Michael McDonald. Michael McDonald was brought into the Doobie Brothers to fill in for lead vocalist Tom Johnston during a 1975 tour. McDonald soon would find himself as the co-lead vocalist of the Doobies for the next 7 years. During this time, the Doobies would reach the height of popularity. Much of this was due to the Rhythm and Blues/Jazz influence by McDonald. Following a farewell tour in 1982, Michael McDonald would begin a solo career that would now see him focus much on his R&B sound. Probably the most successful of McDonald's albums would be his sophomore solo effort - "No Lookin Back". It is on this album where we see McDonald utilize things such as integrating more Harder Rock and Synth Pop to create a very good sound.
I think a lot of the credit for the Harder Rock sound on "No Lookin Back" needs to go to producer Ted Templeman. Templeman is a producer most famous for producing Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, and Van Morrison. Templeman also was a producer for the Doobie Brothers and for McDonald's first album, "If That's What It Takes". From working with the Doobie Brothers, Templeman worked with blending McDonald's R&B sound with the Doobies Southern Style Rock. In addition Templeman had a wealth of experience of producing Rock albums, so it is natural for him to be able to get the best out of Michael McDonald. While Hard Rock doesn't dominate this album, it does influence it.
The nice thing about this album is that this collection doesn't completely abandon McDonald's R&B sound. In fact, there are several tracks that demonstrate this sound. One track - "Any Foolish Thing" demonstrates McDonald's R&B sound at his finest.
There are some top studio musicians that work with McDonald on this effort. Jeff Porcaro provided Drums on each of the original 9 original tracks. Porcaro (who passed away in 1992) was a founding member of Toto and one of the most sought after studio drummers in the business. Steve Lukather - also from Toto plays guitar on "Our Love" while Joe Walsh (from the Eagles) contributes Slide Guitar on "Bad Times".
Here is a track by track review of this album:
"No Lookin Back": This is the title track. It probably demonstrates McDonald's Harder Rock edge better than any of the other tracks - even though it as a Synth Pop feel to it.. It was co-written with Kenny Loggins who worked with McDonald on "If That's What It Takes". The nature of the song is almost autobiographical as it seems as though McDonald is reflecting on leaving the Doobie Brothers. Perhaps McDonald questions his own solo career when he asks "Why Don't I Understand What's Trippin Me Up?" (even though I think there is nothing to question).
"Bad Times": This song continues the Harder Rock edge, but has much less of a Synth Pop feel than "No Lookin Back". While McDonald's vocals are good here, it really is the guitar work (led by Joe Walsh's slide guitar) that shines here.
"(I'll Be Your) Angel": This song highlights McDonald's soulful voice. This song has its moments where it does have a Rock sound, but I still would put this in a Synth Pop category.
"By Heart": This song we hear a good combination of R&B with Synth Pop. This is a catchy song and like the previous song highlights McDonald's soulful voice.
"Don't Let Me Down": I think this song integrates all of the elements of this album on one song. You hear the Harder Rock edge on co-writer David Pack's guitar solo (which is as good a guitar solo as anywhere) You will hear a Synth Pop melody with some terrific R&B style harmonies (especially on the background vocals).
"Our Love (Theme From No Mercy)": Terrific song from the film starring Richard Gere and Kim Basinger. We once again hear a Synth Pop sound as the Synthesizers are going to dominate this melody. This song almost has a David Foster-like quality to it. It's also a great love song and McDonald delivers perfectly.
"( I Hang) On Every Word": This is probably the weakest song on the album, but its still not bad. This song again falls into the mold of Synth Pop melody with soulful vocals. McDonald co-wrote this song with his wife - Amy Holland.
"Any Foolish Thing": As mentioned above, this is a R&B song. This is a very underrated track and is as good as any track McDonald has done. I love the "bridge" in the middle of the song when it slows down. There is some nice saxophone work in this song as well.
"Lost in the Parade": This song is dominated by McDonald's deep vocals - this is going to be the real charm of the song. Again, the theme of Synth Pop with soulful vocals is prevalent here.
This album was actually re-released in 1986 after the enormous success of Michael McDonald's "Sweet Freedom" - the theme song from the movie "Running Scared". This was a Synth Pop song that was written by Rod Temperton. While not the classic McDonald R&B song, McDonald delivers a very catchy and uplifting performance on this song. It is McDonald's unique vocals that give this song the charm. The reissue of "No Lookin Back" includes the "Sweet Freedom" track.
Overall this is a very good album and probably was the best solo album of McDonald's original material. This was an album that got buried during the period of 1985 - 1986 which was a big year for many artists in the music industry. There really aren't any bad tracks on this collection. This is one definitely worth checking out.
Description of No Lookin Back
9 tracks including title song.Blues CDs
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