(July 24, 2017) Seventeen years ago, powerful singer and songwriter Michael McDonald released Blue Obsession, a criminally underappreciated album that never charted and appeared to spell the end of his recording career. Then, unexpectedly, McDonald had a resurgence, releasing Motown, an album of covers of classic Detroit hits that shot to the top of the charts and became his biggest solo project ever. Afger two more covers albums, McDonald became exclusively a touring artist and never again released an album of original material…until now. This September will mark the release of Wide Open, the first new album of original Michael McDonald material since Blue Obsession.
(July 24, 2017) Seventeen years ago, powerful singer and songwriter Michael McDonald released Blue Obsession, a criminally underappreciated album that never charted and appeared to spell the end of his recording career. Then, unexpectedly, McDonald had a resurgence, releasing Motown, an album of covers of classic Detroit hits that shot to the top of the charts and became his biggest solo project ever. Afger two more covers albums, McDonald became exclusively a touring artist and never again released an album of original material…until now. This September will mark the release of Wide Open, the first new album of original Michael McDonald material since Blue Obsession.
The 65 year old McDonald has been heard over the past year in duets with Brian Owens and Thundercat, and those who have seen him in concert can attest that he sounds as good as ever. And, it turns out, he has been writing all this time, and quietly recording with Toto’s Shannon Forrest, along with musicians Marcus Miller, Branford Marsalis and Warren Haynes. Those who have heard it say the resulting album should please his millions of fans, and maybe make him a few more. And while he has performed some of the songs in concert, McDonald has largely guarded the recordings until closer to release date.
McDonald has finally broken the silence with the first single from the upcoming album. "Find It In Your Heart" has a steady mid-tempo groove, and McDonald is in fine voice. The song isn't quite as hooky as his most memorable songs, and it clocks in at a heavy 6 minutes plus, but it has the feel of a song that will grow with time.
We’ll keep you posted as we hear more about Wide Open, and you can follow Michael McDonald at his Official Website. In the meantime, check out "Find It In Your Heart" and tell us what you think.
By Chris Rizik
Michael McDonald - "Find It In Your Heart"