NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--Superstar singer/songwriter Michael McDonald is readying a new
album of classic soul-tinged 'cover' songs, titled Soul Speak, which
will also include 3 new songs by the 5X Grammy-winner. The much
anticipated release is scheduled to be in stores on March 11, with the
first single from the new album, the Teddy Pendergrass classic "Love
TKO," about to hit radio and the digital domain.
The owner of one of the most distinctive voices in music history
calls Soul Speak 'a labor of love,' - one of those rare works of
genuine inspiration by an artist whose two previous salutes, Motown
(2003), and Motown Two, released in 2004, were both Top 15 Billboard
Hits.
Produced by frequent Eric Clapton collaborator Simon Climie, this
new elegantly-mounted collection burnishes McDonald's flawless vocal
delivery over an array of soul-inspired nuggets made famous by legends
such as Stevie Wonder ("Living For The City"), Jackie Wilson ("Your
Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher"), Van Morrison ("Into The Mystic"),
Dionne Warwick ("Walk On By"), Bob Marley ("Redemption Song") and
Leonard Cohen ("Hallelujah"). McDonald's 3 new offerings on the album
are "Only God Can Help Me Now," "Enemy Within," and "Can't Get Over
You (Getting Over Me)."
Says Michael: "The entire project truly was a joy, though I found
myself in some cases walking on a tightrope with these songs, trying
to be true because of such memorable vocals delivered by the
originators. I didn't want to do an album where we're trying to just
imitate records that have already been made. For a lot of people, the
songs on this one were historic events."
Only a multi-talented music presence like McDonald could even
attempt such a project. He's formed a lifelong relationship with much
of the material, going back beyond his days as the key catalyst in
transforming the legendary Doobie Brothers from a guitar-based band to
a more melodic R&B-driven force. Born in St.Louis in 1952, he rose to
local prominence as a teenage keyboard player, guitarist and singer in
local combos such as Mike and the Majestics, the Del Rays and an
outfit called Blue.
"In those days if you wanted to be a musician you touched all that
was out there. My style came as much from that great pool of soul
singers as anything." McDonald's early emulation of his idols soon
matured into his own captivating musical style, even blending a
textured mix of keyboard and other influences in his groundbreaking
association with Steely Dan. Rock fans soon came to recognize his
trademark vocal delivery emblazoned across the grit and blue eyed soul
of the legendary Doobie Brothers on hits such as "Takin' It To The
Streets," and into his highly-successful solo career highlights of
which include include "Sweet Freedom," "On My Own," and the
Grammy-award winning "Ya Mo Be There."
Michael continues to tour, and over the last 2 years has made
special VIP front concert packages available to his fans, with funds
garnered helping to support hunger relief efforts through the
organization Artists Against Hunger and Poverty
(www.worldhungeryear.org).
Universal Motown Records
Tracy Zamot, SVP Media Relations
212-373-0702
Tracy.Zamot@umusic.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
