Somewhere back in the archives of this diary, I think I joked about the “Phantom Doobie Syndrome,” that strange phenomenon that causes one to hear Michael McDonald singing background vocals on 80s records on which he didn’t actually appear. Here’s a select discography of albums he DID appear on:
Steely Dan – Katy Lied, Royal Scam, Aja
Carly Simon – Another Passenger
Bonnie Raitt – Sweet Forgiveness
Little Feat – Time Loves A Hero
Paul Williams – Classics
Nicolette Larson – Nicolette
Stephen Bishop – Bish
Elton John – Victim Of Love
Gary Wright – Headin’ Home
Kenny Loggins – Keep The Fire
Rickie Lee Jones – Rickie Lee Jones
Rita Coolidge – Satisfied
Amy Holland – Amy Holland
Christopher Cross – Christopher Cross
Bill Medley – Right Here And Now
Donna Summer – Donna Summer
Jimmy Webb – Angel Heart
Diana Ross – Ross
James Ingram – It’s Your Night
David Pack – Anywhere You Go
Joni Mitchell – Dog Eat Dog
Patti LaBelle – Winner In You
Sergio Mendes – Brasil ’86
Toto – Fahrenheit
Patti Austin – The Real Me
Aretha Franklin – What You See Is What You Sweat
Phoebe Snow – I Can’t Complain
A little trivia – on the Swan Dive song “Up With Love,” there’s a moment before the second chorus where Molly slips in a Michael McDonald tribute on one of her backing vocals. Listen for it at about 1:21.
And for good measure, a link to one of my favorite SCTV sketches: