Customer Reviews
Great CD 
2008-05-27
I received my order promptly and perfect condition. I love the CD and will order again.
Thanks
Wanda Jensen
Best CD Ever 2007-12-21
Michael McDonald sings all of his hits! This is an album all fans of
Michael McDonald will love.
ULTIMATE IS THE RIGHT WORD FOR THIS TAPE 2007-12-04
I FOUND THIS TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST MY ERA I GUESS
BUT I LOVED IT
Solid overview of an undervalued talent. 
2007-11-20
Released to capitalize on the surprise success of Michael McDonald's Motown tribute, Rhino beefed up the barely four year old Very Best of Michael McDonald with one track from that covers album and some of his best Doobie Brothers songs. It makes for a much better overview of McDonald, who became a huge singles artist in the 80's even when his albums didn't seen to get much notice.
From the moment he stepped to the front of the Doobie Brothers, McDonald captured everyone's ears. His urban leanings moved the Doobies away from their greasy biker rock and into "Taking it to the Streets." Soon he was making Grammy worthy hits like "What a Fool Believes" and then to the ultimate solo career. But "I Keep Forgetting" was an incredible song from a great album (If That's What It Takes) that appeared just as 80's New Wave became dominant. It meant that McDonald's brand of easy listening soul took a back-seat to the likes of Culture Club and The Cars.
So while albums like No Lookin' Back didn't get the huge success songs like "Lost In The Parade" were worthy of, McDonald joined his friend Kenny Loggins as a go-to guy for soundtrack songs, like "Sweet Freedom." His one-off singles with James Ingram ("Yah Mo Be There") and Patti LaBelle ("On My Own," which hit number one) did keep him in the public eye, even as his albums charted lower and lower. It means that songs here like "Blink of an Eye" or "Open The Door" went mostly unheard till now. (In all honesty, the popular singles are the most interesting songs.)
Regardless of the chart status of the any of the songs here, it is still McDonald's voice that captivates. His forays into blue-eyed soul gave both his band (The Doobies, Steely Dan or solo) gravitas, or hits for others (Kenny Loggins with "I Gotta Try," Carly Simon with "You Belong to Me"). While his style of singing may have fallen from style for a time (the Motown CD's were his first top 40 albums in almost 20 years), his resonant soulful baritone voice never did.
Distinguished voice 2007-08-14
Michael McDonald carved out an impressive career with the Doobie Bros and by also working with Christopher Cross, Carly Simon and Steely Dan. His own solo career had several highlights which will find on this CD, along with his key contributions to the Doobie Bros, such as "what a fool believes", "takin' it to the streets" and "minute by minute", among the other Doobie classics. Also included is the amazing 1986 duet with Patti Labelle called "on my own" and his 1982 smash "i keep forgetting". In 1986, he released a fine single called "sweet freedom" which is a personal favourite.
This is the third compilation available from Michael mcDonald. While it contains alot of Doobie Bros songs that you may already have on other Doobie CD's, it still shines at the top of Michael McDonald compilations because the tracklisting is longer, it is a recent digital remaster, and all of his key solo tracks are included. It basically makes the other two compilations redundant.
Enjoy the distinguished voice of Mr McDonald.
If you're a Michael McDonald fan..... 2007-06-26
One of the most immediately recognizable voices in all of contemporary music, Michael McDonald's signature sound fuses rock, R&B, soul, and gospel. As he evolved onward from his formative days as a backup singer for Steely Dan, McDonald's artistry bridged the gap between jazzy blue-eyed soul and and chart-topping pop rock, earning him superstardom both as lead vocalist/keyboardist for the Doobie Brothers and as a solo artist. 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.
a must-have collection 2007-05-14
I've been a fan of Michael McDonald and the Doobie Brothers for years, but have resisted buying CDs because I really only *love* 2 or 3 songs off each album. I'd just about resigned myself to buying the MP3s and burning my own disk when I stumbled across this album. This collection is really the best of the best, including McDonald's earliest songs with the Doobies (all the ones you wanted!) all the way up to his latest solo releases. I even discovered a few new favorites from his solo years. Album notes are great, with stories from McDonald about how he came to write each song, and what collaborations with Patti LaBelle, James Ingram, and Carly Simon were like. If you're only going to own one album, this is the one.
The Ultimate Collection 2006-11-05
Michael McDonald is, and always has been great to listen to. Driving in your car, out for the evening, or with someone you love, he's my choice.
Excellent sampler of both the Doobie Bros and Solo careers! 2006-09-20
This 2005 "Ultimate Collection" is true to it's word in the fact that it compiles two worlds onto one great CD: One is Michael McDonald's solo material and other other his former band that he was lead singer of The Doobie brothers in the 1970s. This isn't a replacement of McDonald's solo 'best of' CD "The Very Best of" from a few years before. Many of the most well-known songs from McDonald and crew appear on here including a track from his most recent release "Motown Two" and a bizarre remix of "Open The Door" from his "Blue Obsession" CD. At 77 minutes, this is a very good investment in introducing someone to his music.
Love It 2006-08-31
I bought this because the everyone kept saying that Taylor Hicks was a new Michael McDonald and then they talk about his DVD on "40-year old virgin". It's funny how different forms of media link together. In this case, it was a good thing because I love this CD and the cover. Michael McDonald sure is a silver fox!
