In the Spirit: A Christmas Album

In the Spirit: A Christmas Album

<I>In the Spirit</I> is an appropriate name for Michael McDonald's first Christmas album because the ghosts of the Doobie Brothers are all over it. Which makes perfect sense since McDonald penned all but three of the songs in this collection. And while each make titular references to Yuletide, most of them would be at home either on a Doobies album or one of McDonald's solo discs, being that the subject matter is similar--overcoming obstacles, living in the moment, and the necessity of having deep convictions. In addition, these songs are dominated by McDonald's distinctive, husky baritone and idiosyncratic rhythmic sense, making them more his own songs than holiday classics. When McDonald does cover a traditional carol--"Angel's We Have Heard on High," "White Christmas/Winter Wonderland"--he jazzes them up and bends them into a new form until they're almost unrecognizable. No doubt the idea is to escape the clichéd treatments that others have given these timeless tunes, but as a result, they lose much of their natural beauty. The album comes alive when smooth crooner James Ingram steps up to the mic, and adds sparkle and warmth to "The Gift," even though it still sounds like a Christmas version of "Minute by Minute." <I>--Jaan Uhelszki</I>