Soul Speak

The two albums of classic Motown covers Michael McDonald released in 2003 and 2004 were wildly successful, so it makes sense that the king of blue-eyed soul would follow them up with another covers album. This time around, though, he throws open the gates not only to soul gems, but to tunes from the pop and rock worlds as well. It's no surprise that his soulful voice fits comfortably into the likes of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" and Teddy Pendergrass's "Love T.K.O." The revelations arrive when McDonald takes on venerable troubadour Leonard Cohen's poetic ballad "Hallelujah," Van Morrison's spiritual journey "Into the Mystic," and even Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." Throughout SOUL SPEAK, McDonald proves that soul is more than just a musical style.