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, All Music Guide
Michael McDonald (Piano), Michael McDonald (Vocals), Michael McDonald (Vocals (Background)), Billy Preston (Organ (Hammond)), Michael Thompson (Guitar), Toni Braxton (Duet), Lenny Castro (Percussion), Bernie Chiaravalle (Guitar (Nylon String)), Simon Climie (Guitar (Acoustic)), Simon Climie (Arranger), Simon Climie (Programming), Simon Climie (Vocals (Background)), Simon Climie (Producer), Simon Climie (Engineer), Simon Climie (Digital Editing), Vinnie Colaiuta (Drums), Steve Crawford (Vocals (Background)), Nathan East (Bass), Shannon Forrest (Engineer), Isobel Griffiths (Conductor), Isobel Griffiths (Orchestra Contractor), Mick Guzauski (Mixing), Nick Ingman (String Arrangements), Abraham Laboriel (Guitar (Acoustic)), Abraham Laboriel (Bass), Abraham Laboriel (Drums), Bob Ludwig (Mastering), Audrey Martells (Vocals (Background)), Don Murray (Engineer), Shandra Penix (Vocals (Background)), Allen Sides (Engineer), Tony Swain (Synthesizer), Tony Swain (Clavinet), Tony Swain (Executive Producer), Fred Vigdor (Sax (Alto)), Sharon White (Vocals (Background)), Stevie Wonder (Harmonica), Gavyn Wright (String Conductor), Tom Bender (Mixing Assistant), Grady Walker (Engineer), Mitchell John (Vocals (Background)), Lawrence Johnson (Vocals (Background)), Kevin Whalum (Vocals (Background)), Tim Carmon (Organ), Tim Carmon (Synthesizer), Tim Carmon (Piano), Tim Carmon (Wurlitzer), Debbie Johnson (Production Coordination), Yvette Preyer (Vocals (Background)), Tiffany Ransom (Vocals (Background)), Toby Baker (Arranger), Toby Baker (Keyboards), Toby Baker (Programming), Darwin Hobbs (Vocals (Background)), Sherrie Kibble (Vocals (Background)), Greg Burns (Assistant Engineer), Tamar Braxton (Vocals (Background)), Tim Olmstead (Assistant Engineer), Jonathan Shakhovskoy (Digital Editing), Nicky "Misschief" Shaw (Percussion), Nicky "Misschief" Shaw (Arranger), Nicky "Misschief" Shaw (Drums), Nicky "Misschief" Shaw (Programming), Nicky "Misschief" Shaw (Beats), Simon Clime (Guitar (Acoustic)), Simon Clime (Arranger), Simon Clime (Programming), Simon Clime (Vocals (Background)), Simon Clime (Producer), Simon Clime (Engineer), Simon Clime (Digital Editing), Dee Harrington (Coordination), Joel Evenden (Engineer), Joel Evenden (Digital Editing), Joel Evenden (Virtual Audio Engineer), Kimberly Mont (Vocals (Background)), Kendra Carr (Vocals (Background)), Abraham Jr. Laborel (Drums), Lisa Patton Brown (Coordination), Lisa Patton Brown (Personal Assistant), Abe Laborel Sr. (Guitar (Acoustic)), Abe Laborel Sr. (Bass), Jay Malcomb (Vocals (Background)), Rachel Oteh (Vocals (Background)), Drea Rhenee (Vocals (Background)), Signia Productions Team (Engineer), Brian Vibbert (Assistant Engineer), Alan Douglas (Engineer)
