Shocking news! So glad you were vaxed and that Maureen is okay. 🙏🙏🙏 Good health, friends, music, roses - all are blessings, and so is modern medicine. My rose gloves have thin goatskin hands and heavy leather from wrist to elbow for both flexibility and protection. Thirty bucks in the garden department. My father got septicemia from a rose scratch. He survived by using one of his many lives, combined with excellent medical Care. I must have feline in my genetic line - another blessing - I have used a number of my own lives. 😼 😼😼 Who doesn't love Michael McDonald voice? I love his work on keys too. I wasn't familiar with this album, but I will be before the sun sets. Life is hard right now. I'm surviving by focusing on what I'm grateful for. Which brings me back to this channel and this community! 💞💞

I have had the honor and pleasure to open for Michael a few times here in Detroit. What a super nice person. I sat next to him eating fried chicken before the concert. Just one of the guys. He listened to our sound check and was for kind and supportive. It was when he was touring his Motown Album so that went over pretty well here in Detroit!

Thank you for that joyous track. I was vaccinated and boosted by 6/21. Flew to California and back from the PNW on 12/17. Tested positive for the virus and was asymptomatic. Quarantined/isolated for 10 days. PCR tested negative on 1/5. I’m 74 and personally grateful for the vaccine (Moderna), and all medical caregivers out there. Thank God for dogs.

Thanks for your candor and for vaxing/boostering. Glad you are in solid health. Separately, I was pissed in 1976 when this McDonald character showed up in lieu of my favorite Doobie, Tom Johnston. But man, did I quickly grow to love his Ray Charles-influenced grooves! Still do.

Thank you so much. I appreciate your talents, your kindness, your wisdom and integrity. Also a big fan of Michael McDonald for over 40 years. ❤❤

Thank you Sir for sharing your beautiful music Mr Michael McDonald has always made beautiful music and this song was amazing 🙏🏼💯💯

One of the most soulful voices in contemporary music

Everyone's entitled to their own taste in music. It's personal, you like what you like. But if you don't like Michael McDonald, you're...uh...what's the word...? oh yeah...wrong. RE: Covid, that's the way we're relying on it to work...and very glad to hear that's the way it did! Good of you to share a very personal and practical experience. Easy does it and all the best.

Hi Lee! I cannot understate how important and invaluable your channel has been to me these past two years. You have kept me sane, civil and grounded (and brought me back from getting pretty close to ending my life on one or two occasions during dark days when things were getting bad for me). Seriously, your impact is significant - and I'm confident I'm not the only one here who feels this way about all you have given us. And, now, we get the legend Michael McDonald - wow. Love you, Lee!

I first heard Michael McDonald on Steely Dan's Katy Lied. Been a fan ever since.

Michael McDonald is phenomenal! A child of the '70s, I first got into him in 1979 not just because of Minute by Minute, but also the work he did with Christopher Cross and duet he wrote and performed with Nicolette Larson, "Let Me Go Love," those two harmonized so beautifully on that (album was her second with WB, "Nick of Time"). I never tire of these records and songs. He has done so many stunning duets over the years (other faves with Phoebe Snow and Patti LaBelle) and love to see him live. Thanks for sharing his 2017 track. Glad you are well! Keep telling people to be proactive

Hello Lee, Good to see and hear you. Enjoy the gardening today.

Thanks for Michael! Now this s ABSOLUTELY one of the those most recognizable voices after 2 secs of hearing it so distinct! No one sounds like Mike!!!!

So glad you are feeling better. Great work with Michael McDonald.

I love Michael McDonald. I didn't know he painted too. thanks for this post. I have to get this LP. watch those rose thorns Lee!

Love your honesty and transparency. I remember the videos with the coughing. Sounded like allergies but glad you're healthy and still around ❤ and the vaccines did their job. Be safe everyone ✌

Hi Lee . This is an awesome track . Michael sounds better than ever. His voice has even matured but he still has the power and the tone. I love the whole playing and production. Shannon is a force of nature on the kit and behind a desk. So glad you are ok too. maybe some people will listen and do the right thing. Thanks for all that you do Lee.

Mike definitely paid his dues. He should be in all of the hall of fame's as should you Lee.

Thank you so much for the music and the message, may your roses be as kind and caring to you.

I'm so happy you are O.K. health wise. I lost a couple friends to covid. One was only in her 40's, another was in her mid 50's. It hits home wherever we live. I took the shots, was and still am concerned about the long term effects of them, if there will be any... I have not been diagnosed with covid thus far. I think my partner and I had it before it was publicized. We left Detroit airport on a trip to FL in December before they announced the pandemic. We were coughing and tired. Got to our condo and slept for a day.. We still enjoyed our time there as it wasn't too bad on our systems. BTW we tested negative over 3 times since I believe we had the virus... Leland, you are a inspiration to all of your followers!! I wish you the BEST!! Stay well as can be, I sure love you sharing your living auto biography! Michael McDonald is a sweet singer. Love his voice!! Love your Bass Leland!! You are a true treasure, many people have no idea that you were instrumental in the production of their favorite songs. I'm just figuring this out myself. Credit C.J. Vanston for introducing you to me. God Bless :-)

I’ve been a Michael McDonald fan my entire life. Thanks Leland for a great conversation. 😃🙏🏼💕🎼

Very good statement about the importance of getting vaccinated. And a great tune by Michael Mc Donald as a bonus 🙂

Hey Lee! Hope your day is going well. Thanks for the Michael MacDonald visit. Love his work!! Glad you're feeling better Lee. I recalled the cough but attributed to being up early and normal things that you can pick up that results in a "slight cough". I know of so many who have picked up COVID and their saving grace was that the had their vaccines. I have Pfizer X 3, so I feel confident that when I get this illness (I know it's coming), I have a better chance for survival than without it. Cheers

What a nice way to wind down a Sunday. Music from Michael McDonald. I'm glad you are feeling better Lee.

I remember when I had my first love heartbreak back in the 1980”s I wallowed in self pity by playing ‘I Keep Forgettin ‘ by Michael McDonald from the 1982 album ‘If That”s What It Takes’ on high rotation on my audio cassette, hey I’ve just about got over the heartbreak, I’m ok! Lol Thanks again Lee.

Drum and bass complement each other. Michael..dreamy as always. Feelin' it! :-)

Hi Lee - Seeing Shannon with Donald Fagen, Mike McDonald & Boz Scaggs was a very memorable concert for me. Just a fantastic talent and I so look forward to seeing him many more times to come. But I've learnt that ultimately it's you who lays that prefect pocket groove for these Masters to soar. It's always been you.

I loved the song. It had the pulse of a full heart.

Enjoyed today's content and musicians and music makers listed. As for the pandemic, my partner has asthma and she and I both have the morbidity of people near 80 years old. People of low income living in crowded dwellings with poor ventilation are opportune for the virus too. They cannot afford the cost of a healthy life style and isolation. Let me add that I am partially disabled and no longer drive or own an automobile and the ability for people of low income and no transportation found getting vaccinations very difficult. We now have all vaccinations and booster, but have only had them available recently. Until we protect everyone, oligarchs and their sub-strata will be the only safe population.

Leland, I’m glad you’re feeling better. I love Michael MacDonald. I’m 🇨🇦 and went to the Pine Knob venue in Detroit and saw Michael MacDonald with the Doobie Brothers open for The Steve Miller Band in the 90’s. Fantastic concert. I’ve heard he’s one of nicest guys in the industry. Thank you for sharing.

Great you're still around, Mr Sklar! And btw, Michael McDonald's tune and voice were the perfect accompaniment to your message.

So glad that you are okay Leland

As alway's Lee thank you so very much for your concern and your sense of reason regarding Covid. My wife and I have been wearing masks since the beginning of this debacle and all vaxed including boosters. I cannot imagine not having regard for yourself and others. Your playing with Michael is sublime as usual. The world is a better place with you in it!!

I love Bruce Hornsby and Michael McDonald one of my favorite voices he couldn't sing a song where you didn't know it was him very distinguished

Hi lee! When i heard this track for the first time, i thought "Oh my gosh, who is playing bass like this"? Of course, it was you. It is the best track of the album and your playing is... magic. Please, give us the chance to see you playing this wonderful song. take care and thanks for being who you are.

Thank GOD for Modern Medicine! 💗💕 Love from Alabama.

Ever since I heard this voice for the first time more than 45 years ago singing "Takin' it to the streets" I've been amazed. Michael McDonald is the best, I "follow" him everywhere. About Covid and vaccination: agree 100% with you. I am 64, from Portugal, I'm glad me and my family are all protected and vaccination numbers over here are very good.

One of my favs MM is. Thanks for bringing his considerable pipes to your channel. The great thing about Michael is that he was singing like this when he was 17 years old. Next month he turns 70!!

The one and only Micheal McDonald. A unique voice and talented keyboard player. Legend.🙏⛄️❄️❄️⛄️🇬🇧🙏

My wife ran into him at a concert walking around. No one noticed him except her. He wink , asked her to be quiet and she said he’s a little guy.

Thanks Lee for spreading words of wisdom. And I hope the roses treats you better then my blackberry bushes tends to treat me!

Wow!!! Wonderful song. 🎼

The bass has such an open yet melodic vibe - perfect - Leland Sklar keeps getting better.

I'd love to spend time in the room with Le and Mike... their sense of humor and talent... that would be a great duo to watch together. Stay safe everyone!!

I imagine that thorns in your fingers might inhibit your bass playing... but what do i know!?! I'm a drummer... i avoid splitting wood and/or shoveling snow when i have a gig scheduled. Gotta protect the hands and wrists. Love your candor and musicality, Lee. I hear it... thanks for your posts.

Michael is one bad dude for sure! Loved when Fagen, Scaggs, and McDonald did their run with The Dukes of September. I think Freddie Washington was on bass for that. Btw, speaking of bad dudes...Lee you blow me away everyday on the radio. I can pick you out every time...just heard Rita Coolidge today (Your Love Has Lifted Me Higher And Higher)...there's bad ass Lee Bump Bump Bump---Bump Bump Bump---Bump Bump Bump Bump! You're one of the best and true legend...keep rockin' my friend!!

Love those string sections !!!! I got boosted 6 weeks ago ! Thank You As Always !

The west central area of Ohio in which I live, reported a new all time high of more than 19,000 new COVID-19 hospitalizations of mostly unvaccinated patients.

Glad you are okay Leland.....We love you buddy!

Because of you, this has become one of my favorite tunes! Thanks Leland!

Leland, you are a legend in so many ways. Musically AND as a human. Incredible bassist and incredible person for your vaccine message! Thank you, sir!

Michael McDonald has the most soulful voice for being a white boy. That is not a racial statement, that is a statement of how soulful bluesy and emotional his singing comes a crossed. Thank you for the song. Thank you for your vaccination statements. I work at the Long Beach VA medical center in California and we are seeing lots and lots of Covid. We are having to cut back on elective items and I work at the Blind rehab center which is a 24 inpatient bed program we are currently cut down to four patients in house. This is due to extreme shortages in hospital staffing. Our nursing staffing is so short supply that many nurses are extremely exhausted and overworked. Please if you can do your part get your vaccination and booster. Yes you may still get Covid but you probably won’t land in the hospital. Lee enjoy your gardening I know it’s one of your forms of relaxation. I wish I had a green thumb but mine is brown good luck to you and all that you do.

Happy Sunday Lee!!! Thank you!!!!

Michael McDonald is another artist that is instantly recognisable. We receive our Moderna booster on Thursday!

Evening Leland and everybody

😎 Love Michael McDonald!

Thank God you are fully recovered. I have the two shots and the booster shot from Moderna, I've work in a Hospital and I know what it's all about. Great Michael McDonald, one of the best.

I love you for who you are.. Love it

❤️ Glad you are feeling better, and still with us❣️ 🎼💕🌹

I watch the James Taylor/Carol King movie on CNN again, you are all ofer that movie. Between the interviews, archive photos, and playing, it was like you had top billing after them. Great stuff!

Well Lee, you are the living example, of what the science has been telling us..and the hope of all of us, who have been vaxed.. Thanks again for your music and wisdom...

Never knew you worked with Michael McDonald. I’ve listened so much to him during the years. What a dream team of musicians. Shannon is a great drummer. I first heard of him about 20 years when he was a part of a band named Mecca with David Hungate and Fergie Fredericksen.

👋👋 It's a grim period, no doubt about it. So glad to hear a MMD story. We have seen him with Boz Skaggs and with Chaka Khan. There are some performers that may be as good, but I don't know of anybody who does a better live performance.

Beautiful track! Be well!

Living Minute by Minute, as Mr. McDonald might say. Happy New Year, Mr. Leland!!!

Thank you Lee for not only bringing a great Michael McDonald track ( I love his voice) to this video but for being open and candid about your having contracted Covid in December…so so so very glad you got vaxed and boosted because you are 100% right about what might’ve happened had you not followed thru all your shots & booster. In the past day I’ve been hearing that a new vaccine booster- specific to Omicron- will be coming out in March, 2022. As time goes by, we’ll get more up-to-date news on this. I am so thankful for finding your channel, at the beginning of Covid, back In early 2020. It’s been a godsend to hear tracks and people I’d never heard of or listened to before you introduced them…only to look them up afterwards and become very interested in their talents. I don’t think I’ve missed ANY of your videos for the almost 2 years you’ve been providing us with them, uplifting us, telling amazing stories of your amazing career & encounters …you are truly inspirational and I love that you practice what you preach and make others aware of the responsibility we all should carry…or at least consider to have… the responsibility to keep our families, friends, workers, etc. safe from spreading this pandemic without even a thought of putting others at risk or putting their best safety measures in place . The dozens & dozens of critically ill ppl in the hospital (before going on a ventilator) have said they were so regretful that they didn’t listen to the science and hadn’t taken the vaccine seriously enough to get them. Good bless you for reiterating it at every turn, your praise for these frontline workers . I’m sure you saved some, made many reconsider & think more realistically about it! EVERY SINGLE day you thanked & appreciated the front-line workers, nurses & doctors for their endless vital work to HELP as many of us who fell ill, as they could. We should put together a video for YOU over the past 730 days in a row in which you’ve said thanks to these awesome hospital and front line workers! You NEVER have skipped a DAY of thanking them and putting their lives on the line for us. What a MENSH you are! Thank you for being here, for supporting and lifting us up with such happy ENERGY & memories of people, places, and amazing events and gigs you’ve done over those exciting, happy years. IT HAS GREATLY lifted my emotions and I’ll bet a dollar to a donut, it’s helped hundreds more than me as well. Glad you only had mild symptoms and were feeling better in a few days. Thanks for telling us about it too. You might’ve reacted and been embarrassed after doing all the right things, only to come down with it anyway, but you weren’t embarrassed and you shouldn’t be! You are forthright and honest which is one of the MANY Qualities I love about you! Stay safe and well into the New Year! 🥰❤️🙏😉😘😎 I’d love to see you work with James Taylor, Toto and many ,many others in the coming months! Just be safe and give those bestie pooches a hug for me! ❤️

Michael’s recognizable voice seemed to crowd surf over that sonically dense background. Thank goodness for vaccines and believing in science. Stay safe and stay well!

Wow what a covid story Lee! Hope Maureen is fine.

Bruce Hornsby is a genuinely nice guy. He was born and lives in Tidewater area VA and would take flights out of Richmond when my sister worked there back in the day.

I’m a huge Michael McDonald fan!!! I saw him a few times at tupelo hall in Derry. Another great show! Thank you!

Mr. Sklar, I’m so glad that I’ve discovered your channel! I’m also a bass player, and I’ve enjoyed listening to your playing and seeing you perform with the best of the best for decades. Now I have a new reason to look up to you, Sir. Thank you for speaking openly about your experiences with Covid-19, and the truth about vaccination. We’re all in this together. The tide of this pandemic will only turn in our favor when most of us choose to be a part of the solution rather than be a part of the problem. Again, thank you.

Hi Lee, thank you for saying this about being vaxed. I have all and boosted. My parent in their late eighties both contracted it this past week but due to having their shot including boosters are feeling great. Test show that they have it but not feeling anything but normal. Take care and stay safe.

Thanks Lee, you are a light!

I was really happy to see Michael McDonald release new music in 2017. A great collection of quality songs. Bought the CD, went to see the live concert. It was an event! Also happy to know that you were part of that Lee.

When he joined the Doobie Brothers I always thought they should have changed the name to the.. McDoobie Brothers :)

First Concert I ever saw in person was Steely Dan opening up for The Beach Boys in the Spring of 1974......Michael McDonald was a back up singer and part time keyboard player during this Show. Jeff The Skunk Baxter was his zaniest on Stage that night and Donald Fagen was unbelievable! The Dan of Steel got TWO Encores and you could see Mike Love off to the side of the stage losing his mind because well...he was a prima donna even then. I firmly believe The Dan ALL knew this and intentionally stayed on stage just to get under Mikes Skin....it worked! Cheers To All

Thanks for sharing the Covid -19 shots. I as well have had all shots and buster. It is so important to be informed . I at the beginning thought I don't need it as I never get sick , then my wife who is a nurse said, don't be stupid, this is not about you as much as it is about the other people. I now have a very different look and have lost friends that were not vaccinated.

What a voice! Just special and unique.

SO GLAD you were vaccinated. I suspect it kept you well enough to see you through the virus. Luckily I have avoided the virus entirely. Keep safe everyone! That virus is all too real. 😷

Sometimes Lee, the crazy part is also the best part. 😁

This is an outstanding song, and sound advice on the sensibility of getting vaccinated, Lee. I am very happy to hear that both you, and your lovely wife, are now on the mend.

Think we are due for perhaps a Goanna Band song called ‘Hideaway’ co-written by Shane Howard and Billy Payne, a blast from the past Lee.

Happy Monday Morning, Leland and thank you for your Revisit to Michael McDonald's 'Dark Side' released in 2017 from his 'Wide Open' Lp! So tremendous! I am so relieved to hear that you are feeling better and have recuperated from your COVID-19 exposure! Thank Goodness and Thank you for Your Being! Please continue to take it easy and to take care. :)

Hi Lee, you touched the point! Michael is my fav artist ever and this tune "dark side" is the one I love the most from "Wide Open". Excellent choice, as usual

Not only a good voice, but also a very interesting song!

We are all so glad that you have been vaccinated. Good luck with those rose bushes

What a nice song. I worked security at a venue in North Iowa and they booked Michael McDonald. I thought its gonna be a long night. I was so WRONG. Had a job to do but really enjoyed the show. As a bonus everyone in his band was super nice. No stars. No egos.

Lee, I am glad the vaccination and booster worked so well. know Christi and I agree wholeheartedly. Keep preaching and Christi say thanks so much for caring, it means a lot!

You’re so lucky and blessed to have played with all the great musicians you’ve played with .......what a life ❤️

A tip to the Fab Four ending on a 6th chord on "Dark Side". Nice! Really enjoyed this track. Soundscape was like a Monet painting. Each part layered in and mixed beautifully. :)

Really nice track! Glad to hear the boys are happy!

Beautiful stuff that is...and so good that you and Maureen are doing okay. Your first-hand account may encourage someone else to get pro-active, and that is also a good thing.

The Man, The Voice. Who after listening to some Steely Dan tracks has the background vocals stuck in your head? Michael McDonald! That's who. I had a gig Thursday here in Buffalo that got snowed out,. And this place you have to show your vax card. I'm vaccinated to the max, the snow saved me from having tell the band "to dangerous." And some players need the money. This is hard.

Great track and love the production, too. Lee, your bass lines are sublime - understated, smooth and creamy.

I’ve never heard this song, but it’s the kind of song that you can pretty quickly understand and like. The one thing I felt through the song, which is kind of strange, is that the chorus was actually an 8 bar pre-chorus that was going to advance to a “bigger” statement. I daydream to what that statement would/could have been.

Just bought a pair of JBL510 BT headphones and played this song. Your bass along with the drums almost made me cry because of how beautiful and amazing they sounded. So great together. That’s why it’s called a rhythm section isn’t it? You sir, are the man!

That was beautiful thank you for sharing!

So much to say here. First, the music- amazing. Got here via a vid you played in with Ringo. You are down to earth, smart and sensible; thank you for the covid message. I am a musician, guitarist, but surprisingly unaware of you personally. A player.

Beautiful, beautiful song. Wow.

Beautiful. Thank You