Posts Tagged ‘Michael McDonald’

Popdose Flashback ‘90: Various Artists, “Pretty Woman”

Had director Garry Marshall consulted me during the postproduction editing stage of Pretty Woman, the film would have ended with Julia Roberts’ lovable hooker Vivian being driven away from the Beverly Wilshire to the strains of Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love”. We would also have seen the wonderfully empty Richard Gere’s emotionally distant corporate raider Edward standing on a Wilshire balcony, mourning the loss of the only woman he ever truly loved, or at least the only one he ever paid three grand to fuck for a week.

Fade to black. Cut. Print. Roll credits.

Oh, no, you say, not so fast, Cecil B. DeSmitty. You want the fairy tale, just like Vivian tells Edward before that particular montage. Lots of people wanted the fairy tale. Garry Marshall certainly wanted the fairy tale, and instead of a relatively reasonable ending to a film with a decidedly unreasonable premise, we got Sir Edward riding in to “save” Princess Vivian from turning her life around on her own terms, whisking her away to be his well-cared-for trophy wife forever and ever, amen. (more…)

Adventures Through the Mines of Mellow Gold 51

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Welcome back to another edition of the wimpiest series on Popdose, Adventures Through the Mines of Mellow Gold! Last time we met, we covered a wonderful, wordless song — well, mostly wordless, unless you count Mang’s 1982 version or my highly superior recording with kick-ass lyrics. This week’s song might as well be wordless because, frankly, the actual lyrics don’t matter. What is important, however, is the tone of the lyrics, which — combined with the music — will go to prove that the handsome man in the miner’s hat is not only the Patron Saint of Popdose, but the Patron Saint of Mellow Gold altogether; his influence spreads over all the best Mellow Gold artists like a bad case of gonorrhea, and inspires them not only to be their Mellow Goldiest, but to pay the Mellow Gold forward. And what better day to do it than today, February 12 — which, as my buddy Matt Wardlaw pointed out in his excellent Ticket Stub series, is Michael McDonald’s birthday! Happy birthday, Michael! My birthday present to you is that I promise not to call you at midnight in celebration like I did last year. And the year before. You’ll just have to console yourself with Matt’s greeting cards.

Okay, on to the wimpy music!

Greg Guidry — Goin’ Down (download)

nullI know, I know: Who? Well, I’ll tell you, but first I’ll answer the question that many New Yorkers might have right now: no, Greg is not related to Ron Guidry, legendary pitcher for the New York Yankees. (And believe it or not, I knew who Ron was without even having to look it up!) He is, however, related to just about every other Guidry: his debut album featured his siblings Sandy, Cathie, Randy, Tito and Marlon.

Guidry (shown here making a call to a phone sex hotline) grew up in St. Louis, playing in various high school and college bands. At 23, he signed a songwriter deal with CBS, like many Mellow Gold artists at the time. In 1982, Guidry released his solo debut Over the Line, and in March of ‘82 “Goin’ Down” reached #17. A second single, a duet with his sister Sandy entitled “Into My Love,”didn’t get any higher than #92 — most likely because it’s a song called  “Into My Love” sung WITH HIS SISTER. (more…)

Ticket Stub: Michael McDonald in Los Angeles, December ‘85

Okay Popdose citizens, it’s time for a quiz: Tomorrow is a very important day that demands your attention and appreciation. Do you know why that is?

If you answered that it is the beginning of Valentine’s Day Weekend, you are technically correct, but that’s not the answer that I’m looking for in today’s lesson. For more on that topic, I’ll direct you to my good pal and occasional political enemy D.W. Dunphy and his feelings on love. Hold me.

The correct answer: Friday is the birthday of blue eyed soul brother #1, Michael McDonald! McDonald is practically the patron saint of Popdose, and the most discussed artist in ‘Dose history. Our team of statisticians combed through the entire site and discovered an astounding 884 mentions of McDonald.

Can I get an amen?

AMEN! (more…)

The Popdose Podcast: Episode 6

Holy crap! Is it February already? It seems like only yesterday your three favorite idiots from The Popdose Podcast were blathering on about…what did we talk about last month, anyway? No matter. It’s a new month, and time for a brand new topic — and this one’s pretty great, if we do say so ourselves.

Loyal listeners of Ye Olde Popdose Podcast know that, when possible, we like to focus our discussions on a specific holiday: Thanksgiving, Christmas, etcetera etcetera. But here’s something particularly awesome about February — we have a holiday that lasts a whole month! Yes, it’s Black History Month, and what better way to celebrate it than with a trio of pasty white dudes? Please, join us for The Popdose Podcast, Episode 6: Awesome Black People! And before you start shaking your head, wondering if you can possibly listen to our usual irreverent banter with a clear conscience, we’re proud to announce our very first guest on the podcast — none other than Popdose’s own Mike Heyliger, an Awesome Black Person in his own right, who challenged us to come up with as many offensive questions for him as possible. Were we successful? Did he hang up on us? Am I writing this from jail? There’s only one way to find out. So click away, or do so on iTunes (link below), and speaking of iTunes, don’t forget to leave us a review. You’ll be our favoritest Valentine.

The Popdose Podcast, Episode 6: Awesome Black People! (1:07:00, 76.7 MB), featuring Jeff Giles, Jason Hare, and Dave Lifton, with Gordon’s friend from Sesame Street, Mike Heyliger.
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You can also subscribe to the podcast’s RSS feed.

Show Notes

0:00 Intro: Jason reminds everyone he’s in Acoustic ’80s, and then we’re off on this month’s topic, which is (in case you forgot already) Awesome Black People. (more…)

Happy Birthday, “What a Fool Believes”

Thirty-one years ago this week, the Doobie Brothers released the single that perfectly meshed their original boogie-rock style with the keyboard-heavy R&B that Michael McDonald brought to the table. It would go on to reach Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 and win Grammy Awards for both Record and Song of the Year.

I don’t need to get into details as I did on my previous blog several years ago.  You can read that post if you’d like.  But again, “What A Fool Believes” is the greatest song ever written.

I have always wondered, in fact, why there haven’t been more blog posts dedicated to this magnificent song, in all its glory.  Seems like it’s just me and Stereogum.  Either way, here are seven different versions of “What A Fool Believes,” in the order that I dig ‘em.  This post is dedicated to my wife, who now hates this song more than anything else in the entire world. (more…)

The Popdose Podcast: Episode 5

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When it comes time for your three favorite schmucks to gather ’round their computers and record themselves talking for a couple of hours, usually they’ve already spent at least a week discussing possible topics that will truly engage and amuse their listeners.

Not this time.

See, because of the holidays, we’ve gotten a little off our regular monthly schedule, so in order to knock us back on track, we present you with this very special (read: unrehearsed) Bonus Episode of The Popdose Podcast, in which the three of us get together and just talk about whatever we want. Don’t worry, you’ll still get your fill of mother jokes (if you didn’t get your fill of Dave’s mother last week…ZING!) and comments about Mellowmas, Michael McDonald, and, of course, Wing. Just think of this episode as the aural version of us going commando, and then proceed to erase that image from your mind so you can get through lunch.

So please, have a click, won’t you? You can do so here or on iTunes (link below), and speaking of iTunes, don’t forget to leave us a review if you like what you’ve heard!

The Popdose Podcast, Episode 5: The Bonus Episode (1:08:46, 78.7 MB), featuring Jeff Giles, Jason Hare, and Dave Lifton.
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You can also subscribe to the podcast’s RSS feed.

Show Notes

0:00 Intro: Jason & Jeff applaud themselves for another harrowing season of Mellowmas, discussing Lindsay Lohan, the “best” Mellowmas track, Jason interviewing New Yorkers about Bob Dylan, and the awesomeness that is the Popdose mic cube. We also discuss the volume of snail mail Jeff gets on a daily basis, yet he can’t seem to snag a screener of Crazy Heart. (more…)

The Twenty-Third Day of Mellowmas: The Return of McD

There are just a few days left of Mellowmas, and our brave hosts have trudged their way through 27 soul cakes so far this season — as have you, dear readers. Frankly, we’re exhausted — and we know there’s only one man who can offer us a brief, shining light during this awful holiday.

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Jason: Ahhh, Michael McDonald. Love of my life.

Jeff: Patron saint of Popdose.

Jason: I don’t think we covered any McD last year, did we? I think we did four songs in a row a couple years ago.

Jeff: I don’t think so. I know we did a bunch one year, because you wouldn’t rest until we found a good one.

Jason: That’s right. And I did! That cover of “Deck the Halls/Jingle Bells” was fantastic!

Jeff: I remember him singing one song in some kind of weird alien bayou tongue.

Jason: “Christmas on the Bayou”!

Jeff: That would probably be the one!

Jason: I remember. You said “Lay zay long go mong boulay?” and I thought it was the best thing you said all year.

Jeff: I’m not sure whether or not to take that as a compliment.

Jason: I’m happy to see McD this year. It means there might actually be some good music this Mellowmas. Other than Lady Gaga, of course.

Jeff: Yeah, maybe, although I’m getting pretty annoyed with his endless series of Christmas albums.

Jason: I was just going to mention that. I think this is maybe his third or fourth?

Jeff: I mean, this one isn’t even new songs. It’s mostly old stuff.

Jason: I know. It’s kind of bullshit. There are some new tracks on this one, however.

Jeff: On the other hand, these Christmas albums seem to be the only time he ever really works with a live band anymore. Which makes no fucking sense at all to me, but whatever.

Jason: And barely. Did you see him on The Tonight Show?

Jeff: He was rockin’ the uke! That’s all kinds of wrong!

Jason: He sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and GOT THE FIRST VERSE WRONG. How do you fuck up “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”? Actually, I guess that’s a question more for David Archuleta.

Jeff: I guess that part of his brain was erased by the second verse of “Sweet Freedom”?

Jason: Love that song. But don’t let me get off-topic. Because I’ll praise McD all day. You know I will.

Jeff: Topic: McD, ripoff artist.

Jason: There’s a duet on this album.

Jeff: With his daughter, Scarlett Johansson.

Jason: …his daughter is Scarlett Johansson??

Jeff: Just fucking with you.

Jason: Goddammit!

Jeff: That would be pretty awesome, though. It would also explain her voice.

Jason: I mean, I’ve always dreamed of having McD as a father-in-law, but I figured that’d be the only benefit.

Jeff: I’m watching a video of him on Soundstage right now, and he’s playing the uke here, too. When did McD turn into Don Ho?

Jason: Right after those Motown commercials.

Jeff: I guess that’d do it.

Jason: Now I want to hear McD doing “Tiny Bubbles.”

Jeff: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! With Auto-Tune!

Jason: Yes! So this song is a duet with his daughter Scarlett McDonald, right?

Jeff: Yeah, what’s it called?

Jason: “Yah Mo Be There.”

Jeff: Ah, right. A holiday classic. Now I want to hear McD pulling a Tommy Tutone.

Jason: God forbid.

Jeff: “I Keep Forgettin’ (What You Wanted This Year)”

Jason: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! “Present By Present.”

Jeff: What a fool belieeeeeeeeeeeeeves…he sees…come slidin’ down the chimney!

Jason: I love it! “What a Fool Believes” with sleigh bells!

Jeff: “Santa Is Just All Right”! “Takin’ It to the North Pole”!

Jason: Ha ha ha ha!

Jeff: Would the Doobie Brothers finally snap and murder him?

Jason: And throw away all that perfectly good Michael McDonald royalty money? I don’t think so.

Jeff: Plus, he makes a great Santa at the Doobies holiday party.

Jason: Giving Jeff “Skunk” Baxter a lump of coal, year after year. But anyway, today’s song. See, I told you not to let me go off-topic! You know I can just riff on McD all day!

Jeff: Right, right, the song.

Jason: “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” A duet with Scarlett McDonald. Which is kind of a funny name.

Jeff: Heh. Most names ending in McDonald are probably pretty funny, I think.

Jason: She’s the daughter of Michael McDonald and Amy Holland, so I imagine she sounds great.

Jeff: And probably has a great beard, too!

Jason: Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Michael McDonald with Scarlett McDonald — I’ll Be Home For Christmas (download)

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From This Christmas null
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CHART ATTACK!: 10/11/80

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Hi everyone! It’s Friday and it’s time to look back at another Billboard Top 10 from — holy crap, this is from 29 years ago. Anybody else feel really old? Thankfully, I think this is a pretty good week for the charts: good variety, strong songs all around, and some really fantastic videos. Join me, won’t you, as we take a stab at October 11, 1980!

10. Give Me the Night — George Benson null
9. Real Love — The Doobie Brothers null
8. Xanadu — Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra null
7. I’m Alright — Kenny Loggins null
6. Late in the Evening — Paul Simon null
5. Drivin’ My Life Away — Eddie Rabbitt null
4. All Out of Love — Air Supply null
3. Upside Down — Diana Ross null
2. Woman in Love — Barbra Streisand null
1. Another One Bites the Dust — Queen null

10. Give Me the Night — George Benson (download)

George Benson on roller skates, y’all. Does it get any better?

If you feel like this song’s groove sounds vaguely familiar, it’s probably because it was written by Rod Temperton, former keyboardist for Heatwave, and the man behind much of Off the Wall (and, later, Thriller). Every time I hear a Rod Temperton jam, I’m once again astounded that sounds like this came from a white guy. “Give Me the Night” peaked at #4, making it Benson’s most successful hit, with the awesome, awesome “Turn Your Love Around” right behind it, peaking at #5 in 1981. I’m disappointed that “Lady Love Me (One More Time) only made it to #30. I don’t have much more to say about this song — I’m too busy groovin’.

9. Real Love — The Doobie Brothers

If you buy the Michael McDonald: The Ultimate Collection CD (and you should!) and you import it into iTunes, there’s a good chance that the song titles for the Doobie Brothers tracks will come up like this: “Real Love (ft. The Doobie Brothers).” Now, on one hand, that’s incorrect: these tracks, and others like it, were released under “The Doobie Brothers,” and changing it is akin to changing “Lennon/McCartney” to “McCartney/Lennon.” (Okay, it’s nothing like that, but I just wanted to compare the Doobies to the Beatles for a second.) But in all honesty, these are Michael McDonald tracks featuring the Doobie Brothers. Other than keeping the album as a consistent “Michael McDonald” album, I’m not sure what the reason was for this alteration, other than McD just trying to find one more way to piss off Jeff “Skunk” Baxter. And if that’s the case — bravo, McD! I thought you ran out of ways to irritate Skunk a long time ago. Of course, Baxter was out of the band by the time both this song — and its accompanying album, One Step Closer — were released, and the band was nearing dissolution anyway due to the increased friction that came from essentially being McD’s backing band. Still, “Real Love” is a great song from this era of the Doobies. It’s no “What a Fool Believes” or “Minute By Minute,” but it’s got plenty of soul and a typically great vocal by McD.

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The Popdose Podcast: Episode 1

This is something we’ve been talking about doing for a long time — in fact, we really thought we’d be debuting the Popdose Podcast over a year ago. It wasn’t until we were finally able to trick our friend Dave Lifton into shuttering his long-running and wildly popular Wings for Wheels series that our plans came together — with the technical savvy necessary to edit our nonsensical jabbering into pure audio entertainment, and a strong enough personality to keep the entire podcast from dissolving into a giggling fit of mom jokes, Dave was the crucial final ingredient we were waiting for all along.

So open up your pod, baby, and let us in — and remember, this is only our debut. Even television classics like According to Jim didn’t enjoy their finest moments until they’d had a little time to hit their stride, and you have no idea what we have in store for you during the coming months. (Note: neither do we.) Like what you hear? Hate it? Drop us a line in the comments and let us know. And now, without further ado…

The Popdose Podcast, Episode 1: Donkey Eatin’ a Pony (1:09:49, 64.9 MB), featuring Jeff Giles, Jason Hare, and Dave Lifton.
You can also subscribe to the podcast’s RSS feed.

Show Notes

0:00 Intro, including digressions into the end of Guiding Light, and Jason’s ass.

5:05 Jeff Giles discusses ASCAP and BMI demanding fees for 30-second samples on iTunes, plus, how Popdose may be affected.

18:53 Dave Lifton discusses hipsters ironically nostalgic for the ’80s, which leads to digressions into Lionel Richie, J-Stache, his taint and Richard Marx sniffing it, the Michael McDonald/Grizzly Bear collaboration, Jason Lytle covering Billy Joel, Daryl Hall’s expensive house, and Smokey Robinson & George Michael singing “Careless Whisper.”

38:20 Jason Hare credits Terje Fjelde’s awesome Popdose podcast contributions, then discusses Mariah Carey appearing on Oprah and covering Foreigner. Digressions continue into Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” Journey, The Saw Lady, and Wing.

54:31 Popdose Endorsements (official title yet to be determined; offer your suggestions in the comments!): Jeff endorses fun. (song clip: “Benson Hedges”)

57:06 Popdose Endorsements: Dave endorses Robbie Fulks (song clip: “Papa Was A Steel-Headed Man”)

58:51 Popdose Endorsements: Jason endorses the Damnwells and Tragedy: An All-Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees (song clip: “Stayin’ Alive)

1:02:00 Outro: Jeff highlights his interview with Zach Curd of Desktop (song: “My Boo,” a Popdose exclusive track)

Popdose Contest: DKNY Be Delicious Fragrance

Popdose is extremely lucky to have some of the best female writers on our staff, but let’s face it: this place is pretty much a smelly sausage factory. There’s just a lot of us dudes here, writing, grabbing our genitals, eating gross food, and spitting on the floor. It’s disgusting and I want out, because it’s an offense to my delicate sensibilities. But that’s a story for another post. My point is, I think it’s time we did something for the ladies. Or for the men who like to smell pretty. Let’s give away some perfume!

mmmm, smells yummy. (more…)