Michael McDonald - The Most Soulful Rendition of "You Belong To Me."
I apologize to Carly Simon, who made quite a hit out of this song. I liked the beat, the "sneaky" chord scheme, the razzy saxes, the empassioned plea in her voice. When I heard Michael McDonald's version, the song was lifted from a good one to a great one.
He adds a genuine rawness and pain to the song that shoots the message like a spear into your heart. It is not over-produced. It is not over-sung. It is heart-felt. It is REAL. It is humbling to hear a man plead for the most treasured prize in his life - The Woman He Loves.
McDonald, as you may recall, is the keyboardist/ singer who transformed the Doobie Brothers from a cross-over country pop band (i.e., "Listen to the Music, "Long Train Runnin'," "China Grove") into a richer, darker more sultry soul-driven group (i.e., "Takin' It To The Streets," "Minute By Minute," "What a Fool Believes"...).
His cul-de-sac voice [ the type of voice that reminds you a bit of Kermit the Frog -- where the throat is closed off at the end, or bottom, to produce a more intense sound, and often a slightly higher pitch. This cul-de-sac choke is one of the aspects of Boz Scaggs' singing that makes him stand out. Bobby Caldwell uses it a bit, too.]
Listen to this song. Feel it in your chest. Feel the lump in your own throat. Be humbled as your soul is elevated - paradoxical and wonderful.
Just click on the hyperlinksor on the video players. The first version is from a concert (opening for Steely Dan). The second is studio produced. Gotta hear both.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQCb5wag0Yc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1hdlzpyF9o&tracker=False&NR=1
The modulation can knock you out. On the second version (with the Doobie Brothers), he is accompanied by his co-writer, Carly Simon -- just listen to those back-up vocals. And that trumpet...
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