Michael McDonald “That Was Then, The Early Recordings of Michael McDonald”

The title says it all, I guess—what this 1982 compilation contains. The song listings on the back cover are in two groups—the first says: “previously released as singles,” and the remaining four songs say: “previously unreleased.” You all know Michael McDonald. I have to say, there was a time when I wasn’t a fan of the guy because I felt like he was the more “commercial” side of the Doobie Brothers—not that he ruined the band or anything—I didn’t care, I was already over them once I started listening to punk rock, I suppose. But as the years go by and I’m less tolerant of generic blues-based rock and more appreciative of the subtleties of mellower sounds and all forms of soul influenced pop, I’ve come around to Michael McDonald. And he is a fine singer. Not to mention his major contributions on Steely Dan records. This is a nice, listenable collection—my favorite songs tend to be the slower, quieter ones like: “It Don’t Matter Now,” “When I’m Home,” “I Think I Love You Again,” and “Dear Me.” The album cover resembles one of those repackaged cassettes you’d buy at truck-stops, a real cheapo look, crap fonts, liner notes on the front, and very little credit info other than producer and string arrangements. The nearly abstract illustration on front, MM at a piano, from the back, is kind of nice, but the way it’s framed by large swaths of an ugly clay-red color makes it look like packaging for home goods or something—not a work of beauty or art. But sometimes with records, they’re just really ugly—so you’ve got to keep an open mind, because occasionally that’s where you might find some rarities and gems, like here. I’ll definitely be putting this one on—next date night.

7.28.23