Who?

Some of you may know who he is but many probably won't.
Clarence McDonald is the classic example of the difference between a working musician and a Pop-Star/Celebrity.




He's a composer, producer, arranger, keyboardist and now band leader.

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After four decades of producing, writing, arranging and accompanying the best in the business, pianist Clarence McDonald has finally taken center stage. McDonald is credited with creating some of the most memorable music of our time. His production, writing, and arranging credits include collaborations with The Emotions, Patti Labelle, Michael Lington, Johnny Mathis, Billy Preston, Stanley Turrentine, David T. Walker, Deniece Williams, Nancy Wilson and Bill Withers.


As a keyboardist comfortable playing all genres of music, McDonald has recorded with a long list of music legends including Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Hall & Oates, The Jackson Five, Carole King, Seals & Crofts, James Taylor, Barbra Streisand, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Linda Ronstadt and The Carpenters.


More than just an evening of amazing musical entertainment, McDonald weaves a fascinating anthology of LA's recording industry throughout the performance, sharing stories and images of friends and fellow artists. "How Sweet It Is" (J. Taylor), "Best of My Love" (The Emotions), "Sara Smile" (Hal & Oates), "Summer Breeze" (Seals & Crofts) and "Lovely Day" (B. Withers) will be some of the songs he will perform with Evolution at the El Portal Theatre (www.elportaltheatre.com / (866) 811-4111 / (818) 508-4200) on August 2 & 3, 2008. "My goal is to make sure we all have a great time", McDonald says.

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The facts are he's either produced, written and/or played on some of the most popular songs of the past few decades.

There have been 2 threads recently on a song or an artist he's had a major involvement in:
Deniece Williams - http://prince.org/msg/8/278188
Co-wrote Silly along with a number of other songs on Deniece Williams albums.

Bill Withers - http://prince.org/msg/8/277680
Produced and played on the album Menagerie (which included the tune Lovely Day)





...Interview with Clarence McDonald

Performance footage shot at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.




...NAMM Show 2007

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Some musical associations

The 5th Dimension
Ray Charles
Paul Humphrey & the Cool Aid Chemists
King Errisson
England Dan & John Ford Coley
The Mamas & the Papas
Cheech & Chong
Seals & Crofts
Redbone
Billy Preston
Arthur Lee
Ella Fitzgerald
D.J. Rogers
David T Walker
Graham Central Station
Willie Hutch
Buddy Miles
Barbra Streisand
Martha Reeves
Tina Turner
Hall & Oates
James Taylor
Lani Hall
Linda Ronstadt
Lamont Dozier
Bill Withers
The Emotions
Boz Scaggs
Jose Feliciano
The Pointer Sisters
Kenny Rogers
Rickie Lee Jones
Freddie Hubbard
The Temptations
Stanley Turrentine
Eddie Harris
Phoebe Snow
Patti LaBelle
Manhattan Transfer
Aretha Franklin
Nancy Wilson
Marlena Shaw
Euge Groove
Justin Timberlake

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Website: http://www.clarencemcdonald.com/



The show was very enjoyable retrospective of his career consisting of some of the popular songs he's been involved with over the years.
It also gave a great perspective on a "behind the scenes" talent.



tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

See, this is why I like to read liner notes and why likely will never (as a rule) buy digital tracks over a full CD. I need to know who's doing what on which track.

Thanks for the info, Neal!

RipHer2Shreds said:

That's the trait of true-blue, LP raised Old Schooler.
Some of the liner notes they do include on CDs, the print is so small you need a magnifying glass to read them...

And you're very welcome.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

The liner notes are def what provided my musical knowledge.