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If That's What It Takes

LP

Michael McDonald Format: Vinyl
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 171 ratings
$22.99
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Price
New from Used from
MP3 Music, August 1, 1982
$9.49
$9.49 —
Audio CD, October 25, 1990
$13.26
$6.58 $5.99
Vinyl, January 1, 1982
$22.99
— $22.99
Audio, Cassette, October 17, 1990
—
— $8.50

Editorial Reviews

Record near mint / sleeve mint, still in original shrink. Warner Bros. Records – 1-23703. 1982 pressing.

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13 x 13 x 1 inches; 2.4 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Warner
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ November 3, 2006
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Warner
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000091NHX
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 171 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
171 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Placeholder
5.0 out of 5 stars Great service
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
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Great price and Great service
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Dean Hayes
5.0 out of 5 stars Speedy delivery
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2023
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Great cd. Never had this until I just heard the whole cd and I had to have it fast delivery.
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Jonathan Mao
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Michael McDonald's album "If Thats What It Takes"
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2009
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Great album. Produced by Ted Templeman and Lenny Waronker. The standout track for me being "I keep forgettin'". The song features Jeff Porcaro (drums), Louis Johnson (bass), Steve Lukather (guitar), Greg Phillinganes (clavinet), Michael McDonald (fender rhodes, synthesisers, lead vocal) and Maureen McDonald (background vocals).

The rest of the album also features Steve Gadd (drums), Willie Weeks (bass), Dean Parks (guitar), Robben Ford (solo guitar on "If that's what it takes"), Lenny Castro and Bobby LaKind (percussion), Michael Boddiker (additional synthesisers), Michael Omartian (fender rhodes), Edgar Winter (alto sax), Tom Scott (lyricon solo), Keny Loggins (background vocals), Brenda Russel, Christopher Cross, Kathy Walkers, Amy Holland (background vocals).

Highly recommended for anyone who likes The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan - both of whom Michael McDonald has worked with. A great R&B album from the 80's when the artists actually played instruments and sang without pitch controllers.
3 people found this helpful
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Andre S. Grindle
4.0 out of 5 stars Michael McDonald Playing By His Own Rules
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2012
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In 1980 the Doobie Brothers disbanded. It would not turn out to be forever by any means. Yet there was still that school of thought that most of the music the band had made after 1976 had been largely a vehicle for Michael McDonald's inevitable solo career. Fact is he spent his time with that group as very much a participatant-playing,writing and singing with the band rather than against them. When the band finaly broke up that solo career was in the cards. It was much the same type of career pattern as with Steely Dan,who McDonald had once been a supporting member and whose Donald Fagan had released his solo debut  The Nightfly  same year as this album. Michael McDonald's solo debut,on the other hand was a very different story.

Overall this album really sounds a lot the final Doobie's release  One Step Closer '. it certainly does on "Playin' By The Rules","That's Why","No Such Luck" and "Losin' It",which all have that pristinely produced sound. The only thing is there's a certain sense of adventure in the music that is burried in the cleanliness of of the top end of it. What's on the bottom? Well that doesn't really show up until the more rhythmically percussive and grooving "Love Lies". That same quality,plus the songwriting ability of Jackie DeShannon really brings the title song to life. Kenny Loggins similarly co-writes the slow piano ballad "I Gotta Try". In the end the strongest song is "I Keep Forgettin'",the big hit with it's intruiging melody and funky clavinet and dyno'd fender rhodes piano,both destinctive elements of McDonald's keyboard sound.

This album was looking towards being a contemporary "blue eyed soul" album as it were,or soft rock as would be the label in later years. Only thing was this was made and realesed in the early 1980's (1982 to be exact) and most of the music on it had a sound not unlike what he was doing with the Doobie Brothers in the mid to late 1970's. Only difference a certain spark is missing. The songwriting,melodic structures and musical ideas are all wonderful. And if handled differently this would've easily gone down as being one of the great debuts of the decade. As it stands,the sound of the music (whether by production or recording) is very flat. This robs some of the music of it's energy and intended contemporary edge. So in terms of a debut,it's good but not great. There's be yet better things to come.
6 people found this helpful
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W. Bishop
5.0 out of 5 stars Incomparable Michael McDonald
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2004
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I don't know what took me so long to get this particular McDonald album because it is beyond transporting - this album is another example of why no one can touch him in the voice and choice of music departments. While listening, I found myself alternately crying ("I Can Let Go Now" is guaranteed to unleash any hidden tears you have stored up over the years) and wanting to dance exuberantly ("I Gotta Try", 'nuff said). His voice is a national treasure - beyond unique, warm, sexy and completely fascinating to listen to, with an incredible range. There isn't one bad track on this album, I would have paid double for it. You need to put this CD in your car stereo and head out for a ride to paradise.
20 people found this helpful
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Brenda
5.0 out of 5 stars Vinyl is making a comeback.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2021
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Great quality. Shipped securely. It's how music should be heard !
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AJ
5.0 out of 5 stars If you love MM, buy this!
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2019
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You won't be disappointed. My favorite Michael McDonald album. 1 or 2 songs are extra soft so I turn the volume up high but worth the effort for me! Have loved this man's voice since he joined the Doobie Brothers eons ago.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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kimandike12
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this artist for years
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2024
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Love M.M.'S VOICE. LOOKING FORWARD TO LISTENING TO THIS. ARRIVED ON TIME AND INTACT. THANK YOU.
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gogol 1er
5.0 out of 5 stars Produit fidèle à la description
Reviewed in France on January 30, 2023
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Super album, très bon état
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Sballo60
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastico
Reviewed in Italy on November 27, 2014
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Ottimo venditore!il mio preferito per precisione e cura del cliente.adoro Michael McDonald,gran classe e questo disco me ne da ulteriore conferma!
One person found this helpful
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Klaus-Theo Treder
5.0 out of 5 stars Der Meister des weißen soul
Reviewed in Germany on November 29, 2013
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Eine der genialsten stimmen auf dem Erdball,leider sind seine alben in germany kaum erhältlich,oder nur wenige,aber amazon machts möglich geil
2 people found this helpful
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フィート
5.0 out of 5 stars Michael Mcdonald 　If Thats What It Take
Reviewed in Japan on July 23, 2014
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Michael Mcdonald 　If Thats What It Take うーん大人のミュージックですねとても落ち着いた感じですこれでまた１枚コレクションが増えました
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