1982 Michael McDonald – If That Is What It Takes

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If That’s What It Takes is the name of Michael McDonald’s debut solo album, released in 1982

Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952) is an American singer, songwriter, keyboardist and record producer.

McDonald’s music career spans more than forty years. His early career included singing with Steely Dan. He joined The Doobie Brothers in 1976 and remained an integral member until 1982, after which he released the first of eight solo albums. During his career, he has collaborated with a number of other artists, including Kenny Loggins, David Cassidy, Van Halen, Patti LaBelle, The Winans, Aretha Franklin, Toto,  Grizzly Bear, and Thundercat. He has also recorded for television and film soundtracks. During his career, McDonald has won five Grammy Awards.

Tracks

1  Playin’ By The Rules (Ed Sanford, Michael McDonald) 4:59
2  I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) (Ed Sanford, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Michael McDonald) 3:43
3  Love Lies (Randy Goodrum, Michael McDonald) 3:25
4  I Gotta Try (Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald) 3:55
5  I Can Let Go Now (Michael McDonald) 2:56
6  That’s Why (Randy Goodrum, Michael McDonald) 4:26
7  If That’s What It Takes (Jackie DeShannon, Michael McDonald) 4:19
8   No Such Luck (Grady Walker, Harry Garfield, Michael McDonald) 3:48
9  Losin’ End (Michael McDonald) 4:14
10  Believe In It (Michael McDonald) 4:40

Musicians

1 Playin’ By The Rules

Bass Willie Weeks
Drums Steve Gadd
Guitar Dean Parks
Piano Greg Phillinganes
Synthesizer Michael McDonald
Sax Edgar Winter
Percussion Bob LaKind
Percussion Lenny Castro


2 I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)

Bass Louis Johnson
Drums Jeffrey Porcaro
Guitar Steve Lukather
Clavinet Greg Phillinganes
Fender Rhodes Michael McDonald
Synthesizer Michael McDonald


3 Love Lies

Bass Willie Weeks
Guitar Dean Parks
Fender Rhodes Michael McDonald
Piano Greg Phillinganes
Synthesizer Michael McDonald
Percussion Paulinho Da Costa


4 I Gotta Try

Bass Willie Weeks
Drums Steve Gadd
Guitar Steve Lukather
Fender Rhodes Greg Phillinganes
Piano Michael McDonald
Synthesizer Michael McDonald
Synthesizer Michael Boddicker
Percussion Paulinho Da Costa
Percussion Ted Templeman
Background Vocals Kenny Loggins


5 I Can Let Go Now

Piano Michael McDonald


6 That’s Why

Bass Mike Porcaro
Drums Jeffrey Porcaro
Guitar Steve Lukather
Guitar (solo) Robben Ford
Fender Rhodes Michael Omartian
Piano Michael McDonald
Synthesizer Michael McDonald
Sax Tom Scott
Background Vocals Amy Holland
Background Vocals Brenda Russell
Background Vocals Christopher Cross
Background Vocals Kathy Walker
Background Vocals Maureen McDonald


7 If That’s What It Takes

Bass Willie Weeks
Drums Steve Gadd
Guitar Dean Parks
Guitar (solo) Robben Ford
Piano Greg Phillinganes
Fender Rhodes Michael McDonald
Synthesizer Michael McDonald
Percussion Lenny Castro


8 No Such Luck

Bass Mike Porcaro
Drums Jeffrey Porcaro
Guitar Steve Lukather
Guitar Dean Parks
Fender Rhodes Michael Omartian
Piano Michael McDonald
Synthesizer Michael McDonald
Sax Edgar Winter
Percussion Lenny Castro


9 Losin’ End

Bass Willie Weeks
Drums Steve Gadd
Guitar Dean Parks
Fender Rhodes Michael McDonald
Organ Greg Phillinganes
Lyricon Tom Scott


10 Believe In It

Bass Willie Weeks
Drums Steve Gadd
Guitar Steve Lukather
Fender Rhodes Michael McDonald
Piano Greg Phillinganes
Synthesizer Michael McDonald
Sax Edgar Winter
Percussion Lenny Castro

Other Musicians

Synthesizer Michael Boddicker

Liner Notes

Producer – Lenny Waronker, Ted Templeman
Arranged By (Horn Arrangements) – Jerry Hey
Arranged By (String Arrangements) – Marty Paich
Coordinator (Production) – Joan Parker, Kathy Walker, Vicki Fortson
Engineer (Basic Track Engineer) – Donn Landee (Tracks 2), Jim Isaacson (Tracks 5, 6, 8), Lee Herschberg (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10)
Engineer (Mastering Engineer) – Bobby Hata
Engineer (Mixdown Engineer) – Lee Herschberg
Engineer (Overdub Engineer) – Donn Landee, Jim Isaacson, Lee Herschberg, Mark Linett
Engineer (Second Engineer) – Ken Deane, Stephen McManus
Technician (Keyboard Technician) – Paul Medeiros

Art Direction, Design – Jeff Adamoff
Photography – Jim Shea

Phonographic Copyright (p) – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Copyright (c) – Warner Bros. Records Inc.
Recorded At – Warner Bros. Recording Studios
Recorded At – Sunset Sound
Recorded At – Ocean Way Recording
Mastered At – Warner Bros. Recording Studios
Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Los Angeles