If That's What It Takes (album)

If That's What It Takes is the debut studio album by American musician Michael McDonald, released on August 3, 1982, by Warner Bros. Records. The album peaked at #6 on Billboard 200, while singles "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" and "I Gotta Try" went to #4 and #44 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively.

Track listing

Note

Personnel

• Michael McDonald – lead vocals; backing vocals (1, 3, 4, 6–8, 10); Rhodes piano (1–3, 7, 9, 10); synthesizers (1–4, 6–8, 10); acoustic piano (4–6, 8)
• Greg Phillinganes – acoustic piano (1, 3, 7, 10); clavinet (2); Rhodes piano (4); Hammond organ (9)
• Michael Boddicker – additional synthesizers (4)
• Michael Omartian – Rhodes piano (6, 8)
• Dean Parks – guitar (1, 3, 7, 9); guitar overdubs (8)
• Steve Lukather – guitar (2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
• Robben Ford – guitar solo (6, 7)
• Willie Weeks – bass (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10)
• Louis Johnson – bass (2)
• Mike Porcaro – bass (6, 8)
• Steve Gadd – drums (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10)
• Jeff Porcaro – drums (2, 6, 8)
• Lenny Castro – percussion (1, 3, 6–8, 10)
• Bobby LaKind – percussion (1)
• Paulinho da Costa – percussion (3, 4)
• Ted Templeman – percussion (4)
• Edgar Winter – saxophone solo (1, 10); alto saxophone (8)
• Tom Scott – saxophone solo (6); Lyricon solo (9)
• Ed Sanford – backing vocals (1)
• Maureen McDonald – backing vocals (2, 6)
• Kenny Loggins – backing vocals (4)
• Christopher Cross – backing vocals (6)
• Brenda Russell – backing vocals (6)
• Kathy Walker – backing vocals (6)
• Amy Holland – backing vocals (6)

Production

• Produced by Ted Templeman and Lenny Waronker
• Engineers – Lee Herschberg (1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10), Jim Isaacson (5, 6, 8), Donn Landee (2)
• Overdub engineers – Jim Isaacson, Donn Landee, Mark Linett, Lee Herschberg
• Second engineers – Ken Deane, Steve McManus
• Mixing – Lee Herschberg
• Mastered by Bobby Hata at Warner Bros. Recording Studio.
• Horn arrangements – Jerry Hey
• String arrangements – Marty Paich
• Keyboard technician – Paul Mederios
• Production coordinators – Joan Parker, Vicki Fortson, Kathy Walker
• Direction – Irving Azoff
• Photography – Jim Shea
• Art Direction and design – Jeff Adamoff

Charts

References

External links