Michael McDonald - A Gathering of Friends [DVD]

I think the idea of many brilliant artists getting together to pay tribute to my favorite male singer is fabulous - many wonders like Mike never get such an honor. That's worth one of the stars right there.Another star for the band performance - Tim Akers leading up a stage of veteran greats, and I can name almost all of them.The third star goes to featured artists. Maybe Patti LaBelle is a little over the top. Maybe Wendy Moten forgot a few lyrics - but then again so did Mike; he even sang about forgetting lyrics! Maybe Christopher Cross can't sing well anymore, and maybe Jeff Bridges never could. Of course I could go on all day about little bits and pieces that could have been better about the performance, but all in all, it's great to see everybody having fun. Especially great performances by Sims, the Doobies, Loggins, Ingram, McCain, and Patti Austin (though I wish Mike had sung with her instead of taking a break for a fresh shirt and some extra deodorant :) ).Alright, now for the harshly disappointing sound and video production.The horn players might as well not have even been there, except for Koz and Shelby during their solos. Turre's trombone is barely heard, except for his low B during All I Need (I play trombone, so this was quite upsetting). DiMartino and Shew sound like they're playing trumpets with no microphones at all, and their sound is being picked up by a cell phone somewhere out in the audience. Both the surround and stereo mix tracks fade various microphones in and out constantly. The Doobies performance really takes the cake here - Skylark's bass sounds like it was fed directly into a console, Knudsen's trap set can't even be heard, Hossack sounds like he's playing on a practice pad, and both McFee and Simmons sound like they're playing toy guitars through envelope filters. Whoever mixed this should be fired. Immediately.Video editing was a joke as well. Randomized clips are substituted when (apparently) the camera operators don't get a decent live shot. For example, you see Steve Gadd hitting his cymbals in one clip, but hear no cymbals in the track, and then you see and hear him doing the same lick from a different angle. The cameras catch all the footage and it's mixed later, so why substitute clips?? Very, very disappointing.All in all, I'm glad I own the DVD, but upset that the engineers had to screw up royally on a performance by and for my favorite white bread soul man, Michael McDonald.

I recently purchased this on video and love it. For Christmas I recieved a DVD player, and I just ordered the DVD.One of the evenings that I saw Michael McDonald was at Great Woods as part of the New York "Rock & Soul Revival" with Donald Fagen,Phoebe Snow, Boz Scaggs etc..I don't recall a night on which I have been happier, I smiled for days after that. This concert makes that look like just a great night. This concert on the DVD features Michael with Doobie Brothers,Patty LaBelle, Patty Austin,Kenny Loggins Jefferey Osborne and Christopher Cross on some of the great hits and some newer talent on the Blues Obsession songs. Jeff Bridges acts as MC for the evening the background singers have Kim Carnes and Amy Holland McDonald(who is also credited as Monkey Trainer) and the band has David Pack of Ambrosia as its Assistant Music Director and David Koz on Sax.The music is great, the performances outstanding, watching it you can see the performers are having as great a time as the audience.A new song for me was "Maria" with Jeffery Osbourne and David Pack. The harmonies are amazaing. This was a great concert on tape, brought back great memories of the time and you get to see this awesome concert most of can only wish we could have seen.....maybe another time. When GOD gave us the gift of Music I believe he gave us Michael McDonald. If you watch this concert you will love it, and at the very least get it to see Michael McDonald with only a slight beard and Jeffery Osbourne with no hair at all.

If you love Michael McDonald, you won’t be disappointed!!

Good mature concert - but some limelight stealing by Jeff Bridges (whom, because included, gives little respect to greats like Loggins and the Doobies) - did Bridges pay to get on (or maybe he financed) this concert? At least he shd have opted out of the DVD - or the makers shd have edited him out. i mean, jeff is brilliant actor, but his singing is another thing altogether!Another regular limelight stealer has got to be Patti Labelle, especially in the finale of MICHAEL's concert. Heck, anyone who saw LIVE AID will remember how she ruined the US finale when she practically tried to out-volume everyone - shamelessly - especially when she wasnt even a lead artist on the original We Are the World song!Have to say that instead of paying bridges and Patti Austin, they she have flown Carly Simon in. David Pack could have figured more in this concert.One last thing - wish Mike didnt use reading glasses - he reminded EVERYONE in the audience and ALL OF US watching the DVD of how OLD we are!Anywayz, thanks mike for your brilliant voice and sounds.Sharkman

I've appreciated McDonald's song writing and singing ever since he joined the Doobie Brothers in the late '70s. Although he has fallen off the Top 40 Rock charts in recent years, he has established a loyal following amongst the adult contemporary and lite jazz categories. His voice is so unique it is recognizable on dozens of top 40 hits that never mention his name - but it is his voice that puts songs by Christopher Cross, Toto, Kenny Loggins and others - over the top. Every one of his concerts that I have attended have been great musically, spiritually and often later - romantically. Listening to his songs never gets old, whether on radio or on CD. This concert, although way too brief, clearly shows his talent, humility and humor - and also why he is so highly regarded amongst his peers. If you want a concert DVD that you will be playing over and over - and never tire of, this is the one. It will become the crown jewel of your music collection.

収録曲やメインゲストはエディターレビューを見て頂くとして、バックミュージシャンも、Nathan East(B)、Steve Gadd(Ds)、Alex Acuna(Per)、Steve Porcaro(Key)、Kim Carns(B.Vo)等やたらと豪華です。曲によってはDavid Paichや何故かAlan Personsの姿も。Michael氏の人柄を感じさせます。でもスーパープレイを期待してはいけません。どちらかといえばテレビの歌謡ショーの趣きで、主役のMichael氏もあくまでも地味です。（そこがいいんですが。）この価格ですので、Michael氏の歌曲がお好みの方には大満足の１枚でしょう。ただし、正真正銘のリージョン１ですので、御注意を。

皆さんっ！Dave Koz をお忘れじゃござんせんか！リージョン・フリー版でしたので、詳細はわかりませんがこれはマイコー・マッダーノゥ氏の人徳、お人柄が偲ばれる、素晴らしい、そう、これは彼の生前葬。R・チャールズ然り、M・デイヴィス然り、召される前には、こういうものを残したがるものなのですね。と、ドゥービーを貶めた戦犯として断罪します。といいながら、この人の音楽的才能は、認めざるを得ません。人脈も含め、やっぱりこの人、米音楽界で別格のポジションなんだな〜。白黒、超えてる、よ。

タイトル通りのDVD、マイケル・マクドナルドの友人や今までデュエット事のあるアーティストなど、ジェフ・ブリッジスまで歌っちゃって、本当に楽しめるDVDです。後半のDoobie Brothersの再結成は、大感動です。80年代の音楽ファンには皆さんにお奨めします。私は一曲目の「On My Own」で、思わず涙が出ました。

Having just bought a DVD player and as Michael McDonald is my all-time favourite voice, this was obviously going to be my first DVD to buy. What a disappointment! The first 6 tracks are pretty dire , with Michael, at best singing backing vocals, or not appearing at all. Patti LaBelle is an embarrassment and Jeff Bridges is just plain awful. Suddenly, it all gets better with the appearance of James Ingram and the remaining tracks just get better and better, culminating in the reforming of the Doobie Brothers, which is the first time that Michael really comes to the fore with his fantastic voice. Pity the concert didn't start here! Highlights are the two Doobie Brothers tracks, Minute by Minute & Takin' it to the Streets, and the two tracks with James Ingram, Ya Mo Be There & the beautiful Maria, with David Pack. The Kenny Loggins tracks are good, but I'm afraid that everything else is less than average. The whole concert was salvaged by the appearance of the Doobie Brothers, as well as the superb bass playing of Nathan East and the all-too-brief appearances of the fantastic sax player, Dave Koz. Altogether very disappointing.

LET'S START BY SAYING MICHAEL MCDONALD COULD SING THE INSTRUCTIONS TO AN MFI FLATPACK AND I WOULD BE HAPPY! HE IS NORMALLY FOUND SITTING BEHINED A KEYBOARD, SO IT WAS LOVELY TO SEE HIM OUT ON THE STAGE WITH HIS GUESTS. IT MAY APPEAR THAT HE IS A LITTLE OUT OF HIS COMFORT ZONE BUT HE IS SIMPLY AN UNASSUMING MAN AND ONE LOOK AT THE SMILE ON HIS FACE TELLS YOU HE IS HAVING A BALL. DIDN'T LIKE JEFF BRIDGES, BLESSING HE ONLY DOES ONE SONG, ONE BAD APPLE DID NOT SPOIL THIS BARREL THOUGH. THE CONCERT IS FAB IN MY EYES AND 'MARIA' WITH DAVID PACK AND JAMES INGRAM IS GOBSMACKING. IF YOU LOVE THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC THEN THIS IS A MUST HAVE!!!! I FOR ONE AM SOOO GLAD I BOUGHT IT.