Motown Two

by Michael McDonald

Overview

Michael McDonald's 2003 album of Motown covers, modestly titled Motown, was his biggest hit in well over a decade, so it only made sense that he returned with a sequel to the record a little over a year later -- after all, might as well strike while the iron is hot. Logically titled Motown Two, the album follows the same blueprint as the first record, offering highly polished, professionally produced, expertly performed interpretations of gems from the Motown vaults; it's the sound of young America in the '60s reinterpreted for the adults of the new millennium. While the sound is the same, there are a couple of important differences this time around. First of all, there are a few celebrity cameos, a sign that this project has a higher profile than the first Motown record. These cameos -- Billy Preston on "You're All I Need to Get By," Stevie Wonder playing harmonica on his own "I Was Made to Love Her," a duet with Toni Braxton, "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)" -- all fit seamlessly into the album, and actually enrich the album, giving it warm, open-hearted feel, which is also reflected in a looser performance from McDonald himself. Last time, he was in typically fine voice, but here he really digs into the songs, making this a better listen in terms of sheer performance, but what really distinguishes this album -- and what makes it different from its predecessor -- is that there's a slightly adventurous streak in the choice of songs. There are big hits here, to be sure -- "Reach Out, I'll Be There," "Baby I Need Your Lovin'," "Tracks of My Tears," "What's Goin' On," "Nowhere to Run" -- but McDonald has also dug out some lesser-known tunes like "Tuesday Heartbreak," "After the Dance," and "Baby I'm for Real" that make this album a richer, more enjoyable listen than before. It's the rare sequel that improves on the original. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	12/18/2020
Label:	Universal
UPC:	4988031401057

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Michael McDonald   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Stevie Wonder   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Harmonica
Toni Braxton   Primary Artist,Guest Artist
Billy Preston   Guest Artist,Organ (Hammond)
Shandra Penix   Vocals (Background)
Kendra Carr   Vocals (Background)
Kevin Whalum   Vocals (Background)
Toby Baker   Keyboards
Tony Swain   Clavinet,Synthesizer
Sherrie Kibble   Vocals (Background)
Tamar Braxton   Vocals (Background)
Fred Vigdor   Sax (Alto)
Lenny Castro   Percussion
Nathan East   Bass
Michael Thompson   Guitar
Kimberly Mont   Vocals (Background)
Isobel Griffiths   Conductor
Abraham Laboriel, Sr.   Bass,Drums,Guitar (Acoustic)
Darwin Hobbs   Vocals (Background)
Gavyn Wright   String Conductor
Vinnie Colaiuta   Drums
Rachel Oteh   Vocals (Background)
Tim Carmon   Organ,Piano,Wurlitzer,Synthesizer
Lawrence Johnson   Vocals (Background)
Nicky "Misschief" Shaw   Drums,Percussion
Drea Rhenee   Vocals (Background)
Mitchell John   Vocals (Background)
Bernie Chiaravalle   Guitar (Nylon String)
Abraham Jr. Laborel   Drums
Yvette Preyer   Vocals (Background)
Jay Malcomb   Vocals (Background)
Tiffany Ransom   Vocals (Background)
Sharon White   Vocals (Background)
Steve Crawford   Vocals (Background)
Simon Climie   Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Audrey Martells   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Kenny Gamble   Composer
Ivy Jo Hunter   Composer
Lamont Dozier   Composer
Barrett Strong   Composer
Toby Baker   Arranger,Programming
Nick Ingman   String Arrangements
Tony Swain   Executive Producer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Lee Garrett   Composer
Thomas Bell   Composer
Leon Ware   Composer
Valerie Simpson   Composer
Warren "Pete" Moore   Composer
Marvin Gaye   Composer
Lula Mae Hardaway   Composer
Shannon Forrest   Engineer
Renaldo Benson   Composer
Mick Guzauski   Mixing
Al Cleveland   Composer
Brian Holland   Composer
Isobel Griffiths   Orchestra Contractor
Gwen Fuqua   Composer
Anna Gordy Gaye   Composer
Stevie Wonder   Composer
Thom Bell   Composer
Henry Cosby   Composer
William Robinson   Composer
Syreeta Wright   Composer
Ivory Joe Hunter   Composer
Don Murray   Engineer
Smokey Robinson   Composer
Linda Creed   Composer
Marvin Tarplin   Composer
Nickolas Ashford   Composer
Tom Bender   Mixing Assistant
Arthur Ross   Composer
Toni Braxton   Duet
Norman Whitfield   Composer
Yvonne Wright   Composer
Nicky "Misschief" Shaw   Beats,Arranger,Programming
Joel Evenden   Engineer,Digital Editing,Virtual Audio Engineer
Jonathan Shakhovskoy   Digital Editing
Debbie Johnson   Production Coordination
Grady Walker   Engineer
Dee Harrington   Coordination
Brian Vibbert   Assistant Engineer
Sandra Greene   Composer
Greg Burns   Assistant Engineer
Signia Productions Team   Engineer
Tim Olmstead   Assistant Engineer
Lisa Patton Brown   Coordination,Personal Assistant
Jerry Ross   Composer
Alan Douglas   Engineer
Allen Sides   Engineer
Simon Climie   Arranger,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Digital Editing