On May 15, 1990, “Reprise” label released “Take It to Heart”, the third Michael McDonald studio album. It was recorded in 1989, at “A&M” in Hollywood, “Can-Am” in Tarzana, “Smoketree Ranch” in Chatworth, “One on One” in Hollywood, “Axis” in New York City, and was produced by Ted Templeman, Michael McDonald, Don Was, David Gamson and Gardner Cole.
Personnel:
- Michael McDonald – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, synthesizer programming and sequencing
- Peter Leinheiser – synthesizer programming and sequencing, guitars
- Michael Hanna – keyboards, synthesizer programming and sequencing
- John Tesh – synthesizer programming and sequencing
- Don Was – synthesizer programming and sequencing
- Michael Mason – synthesizer programming and sequencing
- Gardner Cole – synthesizer programming and sequencing
- David Gamson – synthesizer programming and sequencing
- Bernie Chiaravalle – guitars, sitar
- Michael Landau – guitars
- Charles Frichtel – bass
- Abraham Laboriel – bass, acoustic guitar
- George Perilli – drums
- Jeff Porcaro – drums, percussion, African log drum
- Debra Dobkin – congas
- Paulinho da Costa – percussion
- Terry McMillan – percussion, backing vocals
- Vince Denham – saxophone and solo
- Kirk Whalum – saxophone
- Stan Getz – saxophone
- Paul Riser – string arrangements
- Brian McKnight – backing vocals
- Chuck Sabatino – backing vocals
- Sweet Pea Atkinson – backing vocals
- Harry Bowens – backing vocals
- David Lasley – backing vocals
- Kathy Walker – backing vocals
- Amy Holland – backing vocals
- David Pack – backing vocals
- Maureen McDonald – backing vocals
- Ed Cherney, Jeff Hendricksen, Ross Pallone, Bob Schaper – engineer
- Ed Goodreau, Bob Schaper, Brian Schuble – additional engineering
- Elaine Anderson, Michael Douglass, Lori Fumar, John Jackson, Rob Jaczko, Calvin Loser, Michael Mason, Eric Rudd, Scott Symington, Michael Tacci, Toby Wright – engineer assistant
- Shep Pettibone – remix
- George Marino – mastering
- Martyn Atkins – art direction
- Andy Earl – photography
- Joan Parker – production coordinator
Track listing:
- All We Got – Peter Leinheiser, Michael McDonald
- Get the World Started – Michael McDonald, David Pack
- Love Can Break Your Heart – Paul Carrack, Michael McDonald
- Take it to the Heart – Michael McDonald, Diane Warren
- Tear It Up – Gardner Cole, Seth Swirsky
- Lonely Talk – Michael McDonald, Chuck Sabatino
- Searchin’ for Understanding – Darrell Brown, Michael McDonald
- Homeboy – Michael McDonald, Ed Sanford
- No Amount of Reason – Michael McDonald, George Hawkins
- One Step Away – Chris Thompson, Tom Whitlock
- You Show Me – Harry Garfield, Michael McDonald
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