The Ultimate Collection

One look at the cover of The Ultimate Collection will help to reinforce your perception of Michael McDonald as purveyor of blue-eyed soul. From his beginnings as touring background vocalist/keyboardist with Steely Dan, through his stint in the Doobie Brothers, into his successful solo career, McDonald has utilized his songwriting and rich vocal talents to wed R&B, Gospel, and Pop into an adult contemporary mix. Spanning 1976 to the present, this hit-packed new compilation spotlights his inimitable baritone on 19 timeless songs that will have you believing from the very first minute. As a single-disc anthology, this is a good representation of Michael McDonald's three-decade career that will acquaint you with his distinctive vocals.

This compilation successfully pulls together his biggest hits and samples from his lesser-known works into a cohesive package. The sequencing is well done, with Doobie Brothers hits (What A Fool Believes) interspersed with solo offerings including celebrated duets with Patti LaBelle (On My Own) and smooth James Ingram (the spiritually-themed Yah Mo B There). In addition to vocal duets, McDonald has paired with fine songwriting talent like Kenny Loggins (I Gotta Try, No Lookin' Back, and the Grammy-winning #1 smash What A Fool Believes), Carly Simon (You Belong To Me,), and Diane Warren (Take It To Heart). You will also be introduced to newer material such as No Love To Be Found and the reggae-inflected I Stand For You and even his recent 2004 hit cover Ain't No Mountain High Enough from his Motown album. That is just a partial list of the wonderful hits included on this mastersinger's Ultimate Collection. Consequently, this is by far the best showcase for his smooth, soulful soft rock, and the one Michael McDonald disc fans both casual and fanatical should own.

Many albums that are coming out under the blazing banner of career retrospectives are claiming to be The Ultimate Collection. This collection lives up to its billing. There is equal time shared with both careers, with the Doobies and his solo work. McDonald's blue-eyed soul is legendary now and as time passes, all of these songs seem to have more meaning, particularly to those that fall into the same age group as the artist. The thing about performers like McDonald is the fact that they are always producing quality music, thus giving long time fans continued enjoyment. With this kind of history behind him, the opportunities to gain a new audience increase with every year that passes. As he continues to record, his legacy grows.