Michael Mcdonald - Blue Obsession CD

Blue Obsession CD music As the electric guitar ace Joe Bonamassa was so strongly inspired by blues and blues-oriented six-stringers (i.e., Clapton, Johnny Winter), many of his fans would politely pester him about doing a disc of blues standards. Originally done as a lark, the results of such a session were deemed by Bonamassa good enough to be released--hence, BLUES DELUXE, on which he covers some lesser-known songs and includes three originals. Of course, his fierce, scorching guitar is center stage. If axe-men such as Peter Green, Rory Gallagher, and Buddy Guy are your cup of tea, this DELUXE item is a necessity. Recorded at Unique Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Harris Cohen. Personnel: Joe Bonamassa (vocals, guitar); Jon Paris (harmonica); Benny harrison (Hammond B-3 organ); Eric Czar (electric bass); Kenny Kramme (drums).

Blue Obsession album for sale Despite his statement in the liner notes that "In an era where it is best to play it safe, I chose to take a risk...," there isn't much surprising or risky about young guitarist Joe Bonamassa's fifth studio album. Most of his previous releases have mixed blues covers with his own originals, all played with a rocker's attitude, volume and less-than-subtle approach. This one follows suit and even though he goes on to say that he "wanted to make a blues album, not a rock album that has blues on it," as in the past; it's impossible to claim that he has succeeded with You & Me. That doesn't make this a bad or disappointing disc; quite the contrary, it's a solid blues-rock release and arguably his best work to date. But as early as the second track, an original rocker titled "Bridge to Better Days," Bonamassa takes off on an early Free/Savoy Brown-styled stomper. Things settle down and get more rootsy on the following two slow blues tracks, although a lovely Bonamassa original, "Asking Around for You," adds strings, not exactly a touch most would associate with pure blues. Regardless, it's extremely effective and when the strings return on a nine-and-a-half-minute cover of Led Zeppelin's "Tea for One," it is a spine-tingling experience and possibly this album's finest moment. Drummer Jason Bonham, who is excellent throughout, brings additional authenticity to the song his dad first played on. Bonamassa unplugs for a few mid-disc tracks, including a cover of "Tamp 'Em Up Solid" (oddly credited to Ry Cooder but typically known as a traditional piece, even on Cooder's version). Twelve-year-old harmonica whiz L.D. Miller does his best John Popper imitation on a hyperactive version of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Your Funeral and My Trial" (someone needs to inform the kid that playing lots of notes really fast doesn't mean he has soul), and the instrumental titled "Django" shows that Bonamassa has been listening to Gary Moore's "Parisienne Walkways." It adds up to a quality Bonamassa disc that will please existing fans and might bring some new ones into the fold, but it's also one that doesn't take the chances that he claims might push the guitarist into uncharted territory. ~ Hal Horowitz Personnel: Joe Bonamassa (vocals, guitars); Rick Melick (piano, organ, tambourine); Carmine Rojas (bass instrument); Jason Bonham (drums). Additional personnel: Doug Henthorn (vocals); Pat Thrall (guitar); Jeff Bova (programming).

Blue Obsession buy CD music Simon Climie (acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); Chris Rodriguez (electric guitar, sitar); Tommy Sims (electric guitar, background vocals); Michael Thompson, Larry Carlton (guitar); Mark Douthit (saxophone); Tony Swain (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Tim Akers, Tim Carmen (Hammond B-3 organ); Bob James (keyboards); Nathan East (bass); Nicky "Mischief" Shaw (drums, percussion, programming); Harvey Mason (drums, percussion); Ricky Lawson (drums); Paul Waller (programming); Tracy Ackermann, Alfreda McCrary, Leon Ware (background vocals). MOTOWN was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. As a guy who made his reputation for being neck-deep in the sounds of blue-eyed soul, it seems Michael McDonald was destined to put out MOTOWN (released on the label of the same name), an album's worth of classics from this esteemed company's canon. McDonald went out and hired Fourplay, a quartet of top-notch jazz musicians, to back him up on his Motown debut. The combination of this St. Louis native's gruff vocals and the silky accompaniment of Larry Carlton, Bob James, Harvey Mason, and Nathan East gives adds a fresh touch to songs originally recorded by the likes of The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Wonder and Gaye songs make up the lion's share of the material, reflecting McDonald's longtime admiration of these two R&B giants. He doesn't disappoint, whether cutting loose on "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" or lovingly caressing "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)." With the stellar degree of care and respect accorded to these songs by McDonald, this 2003 outing ends up being a fine tribute to the Motown Records legacy. Toby Baker (acoustic & electric guitars, keyboards, bass, programming); Personnel: Michael McDonald (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano);

Blue Obsession songs MOTOWN TWO again pairs the former Doobie Brother with a collection of A-list pop studio musicians (bassist Nathan East, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, etc.), but also features several key cameos. Stevie Wonder contributes his immediately identifiable harmonica stylings on "I Was Made to Love Her," while Toni Braxton proves a worthy heir to the Motown divas of yore on "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)." Interestingly enough, the smooth production style and the Teddy Pendergrass-esque gruffness of McDonald's voice often make the record seem more like 1970s Philadelphia than '60s Detroit. A rare genre-specific covers album that sounds like a tribute instead of a retread, MOTOWN TWO is an unusually satisfying sequel. Michael McDonald's first disc of Motown covers signaled a popular rebirth for the veteran blue-eyed-soul singer, garnering several Grammy nominations and reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard chart. The project was a critical and artistic success as well, the sound of Diana, Marvin, et al proving a perfect match for McDonald's voice. Happily, the second volume seems born of a genuine desire to keep the good vibes going. Personnel: Michael McDonald (vocals); Toni Braxton (vocals); Michael Thompson (guitar); Stevie Wonder (harmonica); Tim Carmon (piano, Wurlitzer piano, organ, synthesizer); Billy Preston (Hammond b-3 organ); Nathan East (bass guitar); Simon Climie (programming, background vocals); Toby Baker (keyboard programming); Sharon White, Lawrence Johnson , Rachel Oteh, Michelle John, Joy Malcomb (background vocals).

Blue Obsession album for sale The two albums of classic Motown covers Michael McDonald released in 2003 and 2004 were wildly successful, so it makes sense that the king of blue-eyed soul would follow them up with another covers album. This time around, though, he throws open the gates not only to soul gems, but to tunes from the pop and rock worlds as well. It's no surprise that his soulful voice fits comfortably into the likes of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" and Teddy Pendergrass's "Love T.K.O." The revelations arrive when McDonald takes on venerable troubadour Leonard Cohen's poetic ballad "Hallelujah," Van Morrison's spiritual journey "Into the Mystic," and even Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." Throughout SOUL SPEAK, McDonald proves that soul is more than just a musical style. Audio Mixer: Mick Guzauski. Photographer: Danny Clinch. Arrangers: Nicky "Misschief" Shaw; Simon Climie. Personnel: Michael McDonald (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, background vocals); Michael Thompson (guitar, sitar); Doyle Bramhall II (guitar); Stevie Wonder (harmonica); Tim Lauer (accordion); The Kick Horns (brass); Tim Carmen (piano, organ); Toby Baker (keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Nathan East (bass guitar); Nicky "Misschief" Shaw (drums, percussion); Abe Laboriel, Jr., Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Calvin Nowell, Rian Peters, Out For Souls Choir, Drea Rhenee, Sharon White, Audrey Martells, Denise Allen, Debbie Selby, Denise "Nissi" Allen, Rachel Oteh, Michelle John (background vocals). Programmer: Nicky "Misschief" Shaw.

Blue Obsession CD music Having explored a more organic '70s R&B sound on his 2003 release Soul Sessions, guitarist Jeff Golub returns to a more standard smooth jazz sound on Temptation. Still full of light but funky instrumental jazz, the album isn't as adventurous as his last outing. However, Golub is an adept improvisor and longtime fans should find much to enjoy here. Standout tracks include the Wes Montgomery homage "On the Wes Side," the mysteriously mellow Latin track "Metro Cafe," and the Sade-esque "Simple Pleasures." ~ Matt Collar Recording information: Entourage Studio; Funky Joint Studio; Sound Factory. Photographer: Lori Stoll. Arrangers: Brian Culbertson; Gerald McCauley; Dragan Capor. Personnel: Jeff Golub (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Jeff Golub; Bernhard Penzias (guitar, programming); Tariqh Akoni (guitar); Paul Brown (acoustic guitar, percussion, drum programming); Louis Taylor (saxophone); Johnny Britt (flugelhorn, keyboards, bass instrument, drums); Chuck Kentis (horns, keyboards); Herman Jackson (Fender Rhodes piano, organ, keyboards); David Kahlid Woods (keyboards, bass instrument, drums); David Kahlid Woods, Brian Culbertson (keyboards, drums); Dragan Capor (keyboards, programming); Al Forman, Jeff Carruthers, Mitchel Forman (keyboards); Dave Carpenter (acoustic bass, double bass); Dan Higgins (saxophone); Euge Groove (tenor saxophone); Jerry Hey (trumpet); William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Steve Ferrone (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion). Audio Mixer: Paul Brown .