Michael McDonald - If That´s What It Takes (1982) (vinyl Lp) - €10,00

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If That's What It Takes is the debut studio album by American musician Michael McDonald, released on August 3, 1982 by Warner Bros. Records. 

The album peaked at #6 on Billboard 200, while singles "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" and "I Gotta Try" went to #4 and #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.

As the lead singer of the Doobie Brothers from 1975-1980, Michael McDonald's soulful voice and skilled writing gave the group classics like "Minute by Minute," "Real Love," and the perfect "What a Fool Believes." 

After the group's 1980 album One Step Closer displayed a tension that was almost audible, it was no surprise that a split was in the works. 1982's If That's What It Takes is McDonald's first solo effort, and was recorded at the great recording studios like Warner Bros. and Sunset Sound and was co-produced by Ted Templeman and Lenny Waronker. 

The album's biggest hit, the moody and sleek "I Keep Forgettin'," continues McDonald's unflinching look at heartbreak, and it is more R&B-influenced than the previous Doobie Brothers work. 

The buoyant "I Gotta Try," co-written by Kenny Loggins, perfectly captures the early-'80s L.A. pop sound. While McDonald's pop acumen is no surprise, If That's What It Takes also offers McDonald the chance to do ballads. 

The poignant and spare "I Can Let Go Now" has some of his best lyrics. 

"Losin End," which first appeared on 1976's Takin' It to the Streets, gets recast as an even bleaker rumination with a suitably sorrowful solo from Tom Scott. The melodically complex "Believe in It" has McDonald doing some great, offhanded gospel-tinged vocals. 

This debut juggles tracks of merit and those of less distinction, but the bright spots make this essential.

Side one

1.  Playin’ by the Rules - 4:55

2.  I Keep Forgettin’ - 3:39

3.  Love Lies - 3:21

4.  I Gotta Try - 3:53

5.  I Can Let Go Now - 2:54

Side two

1.  That’s Why - 4:24

2. If That’s What It Takes - 4:17

3.  No Such Luck - 3:44

4.  Losin’ End - 4:11

5.  Believe In It - 4:41

Personnel

• Michael McDonald – lead vocals; backing vocals; Rhodes piano; synthesizers; acoustic piano
• Greg Phillinganes – acoustic piano; clavinet; Rhodes piano; Hammond organ 
• Michael Boddicker – additional synthesizers 
• Michael Omartian – Rhodes piano 
• Dean Parks – guitar; guitar overdubs 
• Steve Lukather – guitar 
• Robben Ford – guitar 
• Willie Weeks – bass 
• Louis Johnson – bass 
• Mike Porcaro – bass 
• Steve Gadd – drums 
• Jeff Porcaro – drums 
• Lenny Castro – percussion 
• Bobby LaKind – percussion 
• Paulinho da Costa – percussion 
• Ted Templeman – percussion 
• Edgar Winter – saxophone; alto saxophone 
• Tom Scott – saxophone solo; Lyricon 
• Ed Sanford – backing vocals 
• Maureen McDonald – backing vocals 
• Kenny Loggins – backing vocals 
• Christopher Cross – backing vocals 
• Brenda Russell – backing vocals 
• Kathy Walker – backing vocals 
• Amy Holland – backing vocals 

Production

• Produced by Ted Templeman and Lenny Waronker
• Engineers – Lee Herschberg, Jim Isaacson, Donn Landee 
• Overdub engineers – Jim Isaacson, Donn Landee, Mark Linett, Lee Herschberg
• Second engineers – Ken Deane, Steve McManus
• Mixing – Lee Herschberg
• Mastered by Bobby Hata at Warner Bros. Recording Studio.
• Horn arrangements – Jerry Hey
• String arrangements – Marty Paich
• Keyboard technician – Paul Mederios
• Production coordinators – Joan Parker, Vicki Fortson, Kathy Walker
• Direction – Irving Azoff
• Photography – Jim Shea
• Art Direction and design – Jeff Adamoff

Recorded at Warner Bros.
Recording Studio, N. Hollywood, CA
and Sunset Sound, Hollywood
Strings recorded at
Oceanway Recording, Hollywood
Mastered at Warner Bros.
Recording Studio

Notes

Release:  1982

Format:  LP, Vinyl

Genre:  Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul

Label:  Warner Bros.

Catalog#  WB 57018

Vinyl:  Goed (VG)

Cover:  Goed (VG)

Prijs: €10,00