1986 - January: Michael McDonald "Sweet Freedom"

What the Riff?!?

We've made a few jokes in past episodes about Michael McDonald popping up in unexpected places. It's an easy joke to make, because McDonald has a distinctive voice and has worked with a lot of artists covering numerous genres. But the man is talented - both vocally and on the keyboards - and his career has put him at the forefront of rock music for a long time.

Sweet Freedom is a compilation album that explores McDonald's work from his first two albums plus a number of collaborations. The album title is taken from the track he had recently completed for the motion picture soundtrack “Running Scared,” a buddy cop comedy starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines.

After a troubled youth, McDonald began his music career in earnest as a vocalist and keyboardist for Steely Dan. After that he was tapped as keyboardist and vocalist for The Doobie Brothers, a position which would eventually lead to his fronting the band and turning it in a more soulful direction. In 1982 he started a solo career which would combine a soft rock style with his signature “blue eyed soul” sensibilities.

Lynch is examining this “greatest hits” album with an eye towards some of the collaborations that have involved Michael McDonald, many of which are signature anthems and ballads of the early 80's soulful catalog that will eventually become known as yacht rock.

We hope you enjoy this weeks podcast!

Sweet Freedom
Rod Temperton, known for his work with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, composed this single. It is a bit of a departure from McDonald's typical style with its upbeat melody and horns. It went to number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and of course became the title track for this compilation album.

Yah Mo B There
This song is a collaboration with the late James Ingram which peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Co-written and produced by Quincy Jones and Rod Temperton, the song was originally a more contemporary Christian song with the title "Yahweh Be There." Ingram suggested the title change, opening up the lyrics to more ambiguity to fit a wider audience.

On My Own
A number 1 song from the Billboard charts in the US, this track finds McDonald paired with Patti LaBelle on a breakup duet. Interestingly, the two recorded their tracks completely separately, and did not actually meet until they performed the song together on The Tonight Show in 1986.

I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
This song peaked at number 4, and was McDonald's first success as a solo artist. It was a cover originally sung by Chuck Jackson in 1962. McDonald's version features his sister Maureen providing backup vocals, adding familial harmony to the mix.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Main theme to the television game show “Card Sharks”
This game show originally ran on NBC from 1978 to 1981, and returned for a second iteration to CBS in 1986.

STAFF PICKS:

Too Late by Asia
Rob leads off the staff picks this week with a track from Asia's third album, “Astra.” John Wetton returned to the group after a brief separation in late 1983 when he was replaced by Greg Lake for tour dates. Steve Howe is replaced by Mandy Meyer for this third Asia album.

Goodbye by Night Ranger
Bruce brings us the last top 40 hit (to date) by Night Ranger. Drummer Kelly Keagy takes lead vocals on this Brian Blades-composed power ballad written after losing his brother to a drug overdose. “It's hard living life on this memory go-round.”

Walk Like An Egyptian by The Bangles
Wayne's staff pick is the best known song by the group. Songwriter Liam Sternberg took inspiration for this song from a rough trip across the English Channel, when his fellow passengers were walking carefully with their arms outstretched due to the choppy waters. It would become a number 1 single, and Billboard's number 1 song in 1987.

These Dreams by Heart
Lynch closes out the staff picks with as song that emerged from a collaboration between Bernie Taupin and Martin Page. Taupin originally envisioned it as a song for Stevie Nicks, but after she turned it down, the song was restructured for Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart. Nancy Wilson takes lead on this song dedicated to her friend Sharon Hess, who had lost her battle with leukemia.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Shade Gate by Hawkwind
This instrumental appears on Hawkwind's fourteeneth studio album, which was inspired by the works of fantasy novelist Michael Moorcock.

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