Album of the Day

Three years after his solo debut, Michael McDonald was back in record stores with NO LOOKIN’ BACK. Co-produced with Ted Templeman, the 1985 collection would be the singer-songwriter’s last for Warner Bros. (which repackaged the set the following year to append a soundtrack single). McDonald’s writing credit is on all nine songs, including “Bad Times,” “Lost in the Parade” and the title track, a minor hit co-written with Kenny Loggins. A number of famous friends join Michael in the studio as well, guitarists Joe Walsh & Robben Ford and drummer Jeff Porcaro among them. If the ’80s synthesizers and production touches were new to McDonald’s work, his consummate craftsmanship and distinctive vocals were instantly familiar. Today we’ll look back at NO LOOKIN’ BACK to wish the performer a happy birthday.