Search - Soundstage Presents Michael McDonald - Live in Concert on DVD

Slow Start - But What A FINISH !!

John Look | San Francisco, CA USA | 10/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"About a year ago my son (from Chicago) called to tell me all about the great Michael McDonald concert he attended at the WTTW SoundStage Studio. He knew I was a old DuBee fan from long ago and exclaimed almost breathless - "Dad - you gotta check this out when it comes on TV!!"

Imagine my suprise when I discovered the DVD out a few weeks prior to the airing of the program. I sat back and waited to be knock over --but -- oopps -- the first couple of songs left me scratching my head (no hair) and wondering which concert Ben had seen.

It took the dynamic duo of Ashford and Simpson - taking the stage with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to start the wheels a turning in my head - "Hey - this might be OK afterall."

When Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons arrive along with a kick ass new guitar star - things really take off.
Always steady - the Sound Stage crew delivers a top notch program - both audio and video - now produced by Steve Dahl - keep up the good work Steve!

Definitely a keeper - have listened now at least twice a week!"

Excellent performances of old and newer hits

moviemusicbuff | Walnut, CA United States | 04/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have 2 other DVDs of Michael McDonald (Doobies -- Wildlife Concert, Michael McDonald -- A Gathering of Friends) and this one is just as good if not better than those. MM sings his solo hits (Sweet Freedom, I keep Forgetting), his hits with the Doobie Brothers (Minute by Minute, What a Fool Believes, Takin' It to the Streets, You Belong to Me), and songs from Motown 1 album (I Heard It through the Grapevine, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing). Patrick Simmons & Tom Johnston from the Doobies also sing 2 of their songs (Black Water, Take Me in Your Arms).

MM is backed up by an outstanding band and singers. I really enjoyed the performances. On his own songs with the Doobie Brothers, I felt he performed them better on this DVD than on the Doobies -- Wildlife Concert, which happened to be a really great performance. He is also backed up by Ashford and Simpson on the Motown songs.

I thought the sound quality was very good; I had no problems with it.

If you're a MM fan, you will really like this DVD! It is a great sampler of some of his best songs with the Doobies, his solo hits in the 80's and the Motown songs. If you want just one music DVD of MM's songs, this is the one to get."

HI-Def? No Widescreen?

HogDog | USA | 03/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"4 stars because it is not a widescreen format. What are the people at Soundstage thinking? This is a must have for all U Michael McDonald fans. Excellent audio / video. Definitely a high definition video transfer - but why is it in a 4:3 aspect ratio. Nonetheless - program your DVD player to 16:9 widescreen and it will reformat the aspect ratio. Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons from the Doobbies join in. Very good backing band as well..."

Keeps You Runnin'

The JuRK | Our Vast, Cultural Desert | 06/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always been a huge Michael McDonald fan and had taped this Soundstage show when it aired on PBS, so I was thrilled to find it had been released as a DVD and snapped it up.

The DVD is worth it, to me, just to be able to hear Michael's live version of his Doobies hit, "It Keeps You Runnin'," a completely different take on that song.

Other highlights include having guests like Ashford & Simpson singing along on the Motown classics and Michael's new versions of them, as well as bringing out Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons to play some Doobies songs.

I've seen Michael and his band play live for the past five or six years. With the smash success of his MOTOWN CDs, the crowds have gotten bigger and the band has become a little harder to get to after shows--but I'm thrilled for all of them.
Everyone has been gracious and incredibly nice, and I've heard nothing but great things about McD.
A super talent with a genuine affection for great music.
"