Customer Reviews
Almost as best as the first 
2008-05-05
While it lacks the keyboard and piano playing of Michael he does well especially in the Toni Braxton duet "Stop Look and Listen". His SOUL SPEAK album is much better.
MORE MICHAEL McDONALD AND MORE MOTOWN ! (it works again) 
2008-03-25
Motown Two (2004) picks up where Michael McDonald's first Motown album ended, and that's not a bad thing. Like it's predecessor, Motown Two features an excellant song selection, close as possible to Motown song arrangements, and expressive and soulful singing from McDonald. There's really not a lot to complain about here, and there's no false advertising. It is what it says. As I was listening to this tonight, I turned on the television, hit the mute button, and watched while I listened to the music. The evening news featured a story about families of fallen American servicemen killed in the war in Iraq. Young widows and their children mostly, but also the parents of these brave soldiers. One image showed a young black widow comforting a young white widow, both with tears in their eyes. McDonald's version of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On was playing. At that moment, it dawned on me just how American the sound and the story of Motown really is. How it belongs to all of us. How much it helped to define the 1960s and 70s. The war, the riots, the assassinations, civil rights, landing on the moon. Michael McDonald's Motown and Motown Two are both really Baby Boomer albums by a Baby Boomer (but to be enjoyed by everyone), a chance to go back to those days, only with a new twist and an updated sound. The production here is completely Motown, and Michael McDonald's credible and expressive interpretations are all right on the money. This isn't ground breaking or anything, it's just a tribute to an important part of American popular music history by a guy who happens to be a damn good American singer. Enjoy both.
If Michael is too senile to write his own material he should retire! 
2008-02-23
Once I heard Michael say that he was too senile to write his own songs anymore. And so now he has relegated himself to being a cover artist? To me that sounds like a slow death sentence - a putting out to pasture to wait to die! This should not be, he needs to hang it up and enjoy his life doing something new (it's not like he needs money). Such would not be a bad thing, but milking what is left of him in his music career in this way is.
I cannot stand these Motown covers, they make me cringe. I really enjoyed McDonald's original work. It is unfortunate that his last album Blink of an Eye did not fair well but I really enjoyed it. If Michael loves doing music still, there are other ways to pursue it than being a has-been-gone-cover-artist!
To me, for Michael to continue trashing Motown songs and doing covers is bringing down his legacy as far as I am concerned. Perhaps not, but it seems that he is saying that his glory days are gone an now he is too old to write his own stuff and so he must do covers. He is now a shadow of his former self. To me, McDonald's continuing his music career in this manner is like watching a once glorious race horse wither away. Either he should retire or seek to record original material written by others - there ain't no shame in that. As for these Motown covers, my ears have had it!
It's OK 
2007-09-28
.....but not as good as Mowtown 1. Still his voice is one of the greatest thing I've ever heard.
Little Soul from a big heart 2007-01-06
It's Michaels second album of Motown numbers...he knows his job an is a living legend. The first one could not keep you on your chair, this one is more introvert, non commercial but more intensive... and it grows everytime I listen too it.
Happily I do know talent when I hear it as well as friends... 2006-11-29
Blue-eyed soul crooner Michael McDonald gave his career a much-needed shot in the arm with 2003's
Motown, a commercially well-received collection that matched the one-time Doobie Brother and '80s solo star's rich vocals with songs from Hitsville's peak. One year later, McDonald again delves into the Motown bag to come up with another 14 selections from such giants as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson. McDonald is a distinctive enough vocalist to bring something to these classics, as tough as that task is. Unfortunately, the uninspired production and stilted musicianship keeps the likes of "I Was Made to Love Her," "Tracks of My Tears," and Nowhere to Run" from being anything more than dubious offerings to McDonald partisans. Motown became a hit factory as much on the strength of its foot soldiers as it did its commanding stars, but producer Simon Cline employs thin and lethargic backing tracks where some of the most inspired pop playing in history once stood. Return to the Motown source to hear inspired pop soul music.
--Steven Stolder
Good but not his best 2006-07-27
Michael McDonald is an awesome singer and performer and I enjoy his music very much.
Without going into detail, I liked some of the songs on this album but there are allot of other Motown songs that his voice would compliment even better.
Maybe on Motown 3.
Can't get enough of it! 2006-06-28
You will find yourself singing along with the music time and again. If you grew up in the 60's or 70's, this will take you back in time, and yet, there's something about it that's keeps you in the present--perhaps the voice and presentation of Michael McDonald. This is not the Dooby Brothers' Michael McDonald. Nothing about this CD keeps you "Runnin." It keeps you listening and wanting more of where it came from.
Wow! 2006-05-15
I can't wait until Michael puts out Motown Three, so then I can hear more half-hearted, unoriginal covers playing on my work radio! I'm biting my tongue to keep from swearing, but this man deserves every profane word I can imagine! Michael McDonald's voice is not good! In fact, it is on par with a karaoke night! The brown-eyed soul man needs to stop being so full of himself, and if anything, write a song of his own again! There's nothing I love more than seeing washed up 70's artists like Michael McDonald and Rod Stewart recycle old songs and push them on the contemporary mainstream! Thank you for making my ears bleed, Michael!
"Great Music" 2006-02-12
Mr. McDonald has such a beautiful voice. I could listen to him for hours and hours. The duet he sings with Ms. Braxton, is my favorite on this C.D.
