Sweet Magic - Lee McDonald

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...Born in St Louis, Missouri on 12/02/52, Michael McDonald came to fame in the 70's LA music scene, singing on Steely Dan's "Katy Lied" album (1974) before joining The Doobie Brothers for their definitive 1976 release "Taking It To The Streets". Possessing a gorgeous vocal that most people would be able to recognise as soon as hearing it, success was assured for this blue-eyed soul boy and destiny awaited in the form of What A Fool Believes, that massive hit of 1978. The Doobs disbanded at the turn of the new decade, and Michael signed a solo deal with Warner Bros. Originally released in 1987, this greatest hits album culls 12 of Michael's finest moments from his two solo albums up to that point and collaborative moments with other singers. A couple of the tracks on here descend into that dreadful synthesiser mush... Read review

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Advantages: It's real music
Disadvantages: It doesn't last long

...to him as a writer and singer with enough warmth and personality to charm the impatient crowd waiting to see the main attraction of Norah Jones. The 11 tracks that make up this release where all written by Amos and where recorded in a 2 week session during July 2004 at The Magic shop in New York with Lee Alexander in the producer’s chair. His record company describe his music as minimalist in approach that allows his rich evocative voice to carry the song that makes for a unique brand of folk-soul that aims to unite, uplift, and inspire, for once the record company’s hype is justified and I can whole heartily agree with the previous statements and say for me his warm soulful voice is a breath of fresh air in a musical landscape that is dominated by non-talents from TV shows that continue to assault the music buying public... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: It's spectacular
Disadvantages: There won't be any more like it

...On a day like today, with All Hallow's Eve just around the corner, when there's magic in the air, it seems kind of fitting for me to write about Queen. Released in 1986, many of the songs on Queen's A Kind of Magic album appeared in the film Highlander. Part of the reason I love this album so much is that I'm rather a fan of Highlander, both the film franchise (although the first and last were the only ones worth watching) and the television series (due mainly to a gorgeous long-haired martial artist bloke). Funnily enough, though, part of the reason I loved Highlander so much is the Queen music, so it's all a bit chicken and egg really! Another reason I love this album is that it is the one Queen were promoting when I was honoured enough to interview Freddie Mercury as a rather green, 21 year old music journalist. From... Read review

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