There’s lot of soul in Wide – Rhett debuts atop chart

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Michael McDonald, “Wide Open” (BMG)

There’s lot of soul in Michael McDonald’s latest album, “Wide Open,” and this time most it is his own.

After three records of Motown covers and modern standards, as well as a Christmas album, McDonald has crafted a superior collection of his own songwriting collaborations, his first such effort since the fine “Blue Obsession” from 2000.

It’s McDonald’s voice and its soulful, instantly recognizable qualities that he has built his career on — including his stints with Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers and many years of solo work. There’s plenty more of his sweet tones on the dozen songs on “Wide Open,” in diverse settings.

Most of the compositions rely on McDonald’s characteristic array of keyboards and solid percussion by drummer and co-producer Shannon Forrest.

A trio of tunes closing out an imaginary Side One — “Half Truth,” ‘’Ain’t No Good” and “Honest Emotion” — prominently feature electric or acoustic guitars and provide a charismatic change in the soundscape.

Elsewhere, Branford Marsalis and his soprano sax bring a ring of Sting to “Blessing in Disguise” and “Strong Enough” has the biggest dose of the blues, assisted by Robben Ford’s guitar solo and New Orleans-style horns. “Hurt Me” could be from the Doobies’ heyday.

Leon Russell, “On a Distant Shore” (Palmetto Records)

Leon Russell’s final album, “On a Distant Shore,” is a career highlight recorded over his last living year and released 10 months after his November 2016 passing.

Unlike, say, Roy Orbison, who hardly had time to appreciate his post-Traveling Wilburys resurgence, Russell could enjoy his newfound success. His return to the limelight — thanks to “The Union,” his 2010 collaboration with Elton John — offered him the chance to tour extensively and release new music in the following years.

According to his wife, Russell considered his last set of recordings his favorite. “On a Distant Shore” has similar feelings of finality as last year’s Leonard Cohen farewell, “You Want It Darker.”

Also:

LOS ANGELES: Country singer Thomas Rhett’s latest album debuted at the top of the weekly US Billboard 200 album chart on Monday, leading six new entries in the top 10.

“Life Changes,” the third studio album by Rhett, sold 94,000 albums, 90,000 songs and was streamed 30 million times, totaling 123,000 album units, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan.

The Billboard 200 chart tallies units from album sales, song sales (10 songs equal one album) and streaming activity (1,500 streams equal one album). (Agencies)

Electro-pop group Odesza debuted at No. 2 with “Moment Apart” selling 63,000 album units, while alt-rock band The National entered the chart at No. 3 with “Sleep Well Beast” selling 62,000 album units.

Other new entries in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart included singer-songwriter Jack Johnson at No. 5 with “All The Light Above” and country music singers Dustin Lynch at No. 7 with “Current Mood” and Kip Moore at No. 10 with “Slowheart.”

Last week’s chart-topper, LCD Soundsystem’s “American Dream,” dropped to No. 56 this week.

On the Digital Songs chart, which measures online single sales, British singer Sam Smith’s new track “Too Good at Goodbyes” ousted Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” from the top spot, selling 90,000 copies. (Agencies)

By Pablo Gorondi

This news has been read 6898 times!