Wide Open

Audio Mixer: Shannon Forrest.Recording information: Metal Building Studio, Nolensville, TN.Wide Open is Michael McDonald's first album in nearly a decade, following Soul Speak by nine years, but a better benchmark would be Blue Obsession, the last album of original material he released. That record arrived in 2000, long before McDonald's reputation was revived by both yacht rocking satirists and R&B hipsters -- elements that barely factor into the sound of Wide Open, although their existence may have convinced McDonald to leave behind his stroll through the '60s soul songbook. Although he remains firmly grounded in blue-eyed soul, Wide Open also encompasses the slick open-road rockers of the Doobie Brothers and occasionally dabbles in some unexpected sounds from McDonald. "Just Strong Enough" ends with a spin on a New Orleans funeral march, "Honest Emotion" conjures a hazy Laurel Canyon sunset, "Blessing in Disguise" splices Sting with acid jazz, and "Too Short" nods at percolating