Mike's arrangement stays pretty close to the original, even playing the song in the same key and lengthening the song by only twenty seconds. McDonald couldn't match Wonder's keyboard work and he didn't bring in Sanborn for sax accents, but he brought some other attributes to the table. First of all — as he's done with his other Motown covers — he cleaned up the sound, but not so much that the heart and soul aren't cleansed away in the process. Secondly, the female background vocals are higher up in the mix, where they should have been in the first place. But lastly and most significantly, Mike gives the tune a more passionate vocal rendering, especially in the refrain. We all know that Wonder is a great singer along with his other incredible talents, but the former Doobie simply outdoes him here. Really, it's not even close in that department; MM's voice might be in the best shape of his career.
In the final analysis, it's just about a toss up when it comes to which version I prefer. Nostalgia probably makes Stevie's rendition the winner, but McDonald gets a hearty tip of the hat just for coming so close.
So whatever camp you fall into with the whole Doobie Brothers debate, if you crave classic soul with a gently updated sound sung by one of the best blue-eyed soul singers around today, Michael McDonald with his Motown records is a fine choice. As his version of "Tuesday Heartbreak" affirms, he gives these first-rate but old songs some new life.
Listen: Michael McDonald "Tuesday Heartbreak"
Listen: Stevie Wonder "Tuesday Heartbreak"
"One Track Mind" is a weekly drool over a single song selected on a whim and a short thesis on why you should be drooling over it, too.
Article comments
1 - Michael J. West
Ugh.
2 - Pico
I am guessing that you are on the Tom Johnston side of fence?
3 - Michael J. West
Whichever side of the fence Michael McDonald is on, I'm on the other side.
4 - Pico
LOL, I certainly understand that McDonald evokes that sort of passion in some folks. For some of his music, I'm on the same side as you. It just depends.
5 - duane
McDonald is a talented musician and, apparently, a real gentleman, soft-spoken, down to earth and all that. But I must agree with Michael West when he says "Ugh." I'll let my car radio dial stay on any Doobie song, with two exceptions, "Listen to the Music," and anything with McDonald singing the lead.