Rating:
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 08/09/2005

Since Warner/Rhino's 2005 Ultimate Collection appeared a mere four years after their last Michael McDonald compilation -- 2001's The Very Best of Michael McDonald -- it may seem that it's a little early to rehash the same recordings yet again. That suspicion is unfounded, since The Ultimate Collection finally delivers what McDonald fans have been waiting for: his solo hits and Doobie Brothers smashes on the same disc. Not that this has every hit he ever had -- his minor 1991 single "All We Got" isn't here, for instance -- but most listeners won't notice the omissions since this 19-track collection has "What a Fool Believes," "Takin' It to the Streets," "Minute by Minute," "You Belong to Me," "Real Love," "It Keeps You Runnin'," "I Gotta Try," "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)," "No Lookin' Back," "Sweet Freedom," "Yah Mo B There," and even his recent 2004 hit cover of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Consequently, this is by far the best showcase for his smooth, soulful soft rock, and the one Michael McDonald disc fans both casual and fanatical should own.

~Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

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Brian Mann - Synthesizer
John Tesh - Sequencing
John Tesh - Synthesizer Programming
Siedah Garrett - Vocals (Background)
James Ingram - Synthesizer
James Ingram - Vocals
Patti LaBelle - Vocals
Kenny Loggins - Vocals (Background)
Michael McDonald - Synthesizer
Michael McDonald - Piano
Michael McDonald - Keyboards
Michael McDonald - Vocals
Michael McDonald - Vocals (Background)
Michael McDonald - Producer
Michael McDonald - Fender Rhodes
Michael McDonald - Vocal Arrangement
Michael McDonald - Rhythm Arrangements
Michael McDonald - Compilation Producer
Michael McDonald - Wurlitzer
Robben Ford - Guitar
Robben Ford - Guitar (Rhythm)
Bruce Fowler - Trombone
Quincy Jones - Voices
Quincy Jones - Producer
David Lasley - Vocals (Background)
Chet McCracken - Drums
Chet McCracken - Marimba
Chet McCracken - Vibraphone
Bill Reichenbach Jr. - Trombone
Burt Bacharach - Piano
Burt Bacharach - Producer
David Foster - Synthesizer
Cornelius Bumpus - Saxophone
Cornelius Bumpus - Vocals
Nicolette Larson - Vocals
Patrick Simmons - Guitar
Patrick Simmons - Vocals
Sweet Pea Atkinson - Vocals (Background)
Amy Holland - Vocals (Background)
Warren Haynes - Guitar
Warren Haynes - Soloist
Jeff Baxter - Guitar
Benmont Tench - Organ (Hammond)
Carla Benson - Vocals (Background)
Evette Benton - Vocals (Background)
Michael Boddicker - Synthesizer
Reverend Dave Boruff - Flute
Reverend Dave Boruff - Saxophone
Jeff Bova - Organ (Hammond)
Jeff Bova - Clavinet
Jeff Bova - Synthesizer Bass
Sir Harry Bowens - Vocals (Background)
Jimmy Bralower - Drum Programming
Jesse Butler - Organ
Rosemary Butler - Vocals
Bernie Chiaravalle - Guitar
Bernie Chiaravalle - Guitar (Rhythm)
Bernie Chiaravalle - Rhythm Arrangements
Bernie Chiaravalle - Soloist
Bernie Chiaravalle - Coral Sitar
Wells Christy - Synclavier
Simon Climie - Producer
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
Mark Douthit - Saxophone
Nathan East - Bass
Brandon Fields - Sax (Alto)
Chuck Findley - Trumpet
David Frank - Horn Arrangements
David Frank - Synthesizer Horn
Steve Gadd - Drums
Gary Grant - Trumpet
Michael Hanna - Sequencing
Michael Hanna - Synthesizer Programming
Marc Harris - Organ (Hammond)
Jimmie Haskell - String Arrangements
Rev. Patrick Henderson - Keyboards
Dan Hersch - Remastering
Jerry Hey - Trumpet
Dann Huff - Guitar
Bill Inglot - Remastering
Barbara Ingram - Vocals (Background)
Paul Jackson, Jr. - Guitar
Clydene Jackson - Vocals (Background)
Louis Johnson - Bass
Manu Katche - Drums
Keith Knudsen - Drums
Keith Knudsen - Vocals
Bobby LaKind - Bongos
Bobby LaKind - Conga
Bobby LaKind - Vocals
Ricky Lawson - Drums
Billy Livesay - Organ (Hammond)
Steve Lukather - Guitar
Ann McCrary - Vocals (Background)
Arnold McCutler - Vocals (Background)
Maureen McDonald - Vocals (Background)
John McFee - Guitar
John McFee - Vocals
Doug Moffet - Saxophone
Wendy Moten - Vocals
Wendy Moten - Vocals (Background)
Wendy Moten - Vocal Arrangement
Jenni Muldaur - Vocals (Background)
David Pack - Guitar
David Paich - Horn Arrangements
David Paich - String Arrangements
Pino Palladino - Bass
Jeff Porcaro - Drums
Anthony Patler - Keyboards
Bill Payne - Synthesizer
George Perilli - Drums
Gary Peterson - Discographical Annotation
Greg Phillinganes - Keyboards
Greg Phillinganes - Clavinet
Greg Phillinganes - Fender Rhodes
Greg Phillinganes - DX-7
Tiran Porter - Bass
Tiran Porter - Vocals
Paul Riser - String Arrangements
Tom Roady - Percussion
Julia Tillman Waters - Vocals (Background)
Danny Sembello - Keyboards
Tommy Sims - Synthesizer
Tommy Sims - Bass
Tommy Sims - Guitar
Tommy Sims - Guitar (Rhythm)
Tommy Sims - Clavinet
Tommy Sims - Producer
Tommy Sims - Fender Rhodes
Tommy Sims - Vocal Arrangement
Tommy Sims - Horn Arrangements
Tommy Sims - Rhythm Arrangements
Dennis Solee - Saxophone
Neil Stubenhaus - Bass
Tony Swain - Fender Rhodes
Bruce Swedien - Producer
Rod Temperton - Synthesizer
Rod Temperton - Keyboards
Rod Temperton - Horn Arrangements
Ted Templeman - Percussion
Ted Templeman - Maracas
Ted Templeman - Tambourine
Ted Templeman - Producer
Ted Templeman - Cowbell
Russ Titelman - Producer
Carlos Vega - Drums
Lenny Waronker - Producer
Don Was - Producer
Don Was - Sequencing
Don Was - Synthesizer Programming
Maxine Willard Waters - Vocals (Background)
Willie Weeks - Bass
Albert Wing - Sax (Tenor)
Randy Jacobs - Guitar (Rhythm)
Michael Hart Thompson - Guitar
Barry Alfonso - Liner Notes
Dick Rudolph - Producer
Tim Akers - Tom-Tom
Tim Akers - Vocals (Background)
Tim Akers - Horn Arrangements
Tim Akers - Soloist
John Hartman - Percussion
John Hartman - Drums
Dan Needham - Drums
Lee Thornberg - Trumpet
Jean Krikorian - Art Direction
Jean Krikorian - Design
Peter Wolf - Synthesizer
Steve Woolard - Discographical Annotation
Gale Mayes-West - Vocals (Background)
Tammy Taylor - Vocals (Background)
Toby Baker - Drum Programming
Amanda Smith - Project Assistant
Alan Fletcher - Executive Producer
David E. Williams - Guitar
John "4 Daddman" Robinson - Drums
Michael d'Wayne Mason - Sequencing
Michael d'Wayne Mason - Synthesizer Programming
Ginger Dettman - Project Assistant
Lisa Young - Vocals (Background)
Mike Engstrom - Project Assistant
Cory Frye - Editorial Supervision
Steven P. Gorman - Photo Research
Roger Ressmeyer - Photography
Chris Rodriguez - Guitar (Electric)
Mimi Miraflor - Artist Coordination
Becky Wagner - Project Assistant
Robin Hurley - Artist Coordination
Larry E. Williams - Synthesizer
Larry E. Williams - Horn
Larry E. Williams - Keyboards
Larry E. Williams - Horn Arrangements
Cynthia Edwards - Vocals (Background)

The Best of Joe Cocker [Capitol]
    Joe Cocker / CD / 1993
The Atlantic Collection
    Hall & Oates / CD / 1996
Forever More (Love Songs, Hits & Duets)
    James Ingram / CD / 1999
Super Hits
    Van Morrison / CD / 1999

Release Date: 08/09/2005
Genre: rock