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No coasting
for McDonald

Michael McDonald with the Honolulu Pops: 7:30 tonight, Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets $15-$55, discounts available, at Honolulu Symphony ticket office, Blaisdell box office, Ticket Plus. Call 792-2000.

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By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

The best Honolulu Symphony Pops concerts in recent years have been the ones where the stars did more than just fly in and do a routine set. Last night's Michael McDonald/Henry Kapono double bill was one such "best" concert. McDonald headlined with a program that included some Doobie Brothers memories, a few of his classic solo hits and songs from his current "Blue Obsession" album. McDonald also showcased Kapono twice during his 68-minute set. That made the show an island exclusive. They'll do it one more time tonight.

McDonald first called on Kapono join him on "Matters of the Heart." He called him back a second time for "What's Going On," the first song in a double encore.

Kapono was allowed only four songs in the first half of the evening but was able to denounce excessive development with a powerful take on "The Last Resort" while doing his bit for the visitor industry with the millennium version of "Home in the Islands" (Puka Asing and Marti Kerton subbed for Keali'i Reichel and Melveen Leed).

McDonald was in great form from the opening notes of "Someday You Will" right on through his second encore, "Do Right Woman -- Do Right Man." He's clearly as strong and commanding a singer as ever; "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" made it clear he's no oldies act coasting on fans' memories. McDonald was excellent throughout.

Principal Pops Conductor Matt Catingub added interest to the Symphony's show-opening numbers by having concertmaster "Iggy" Jang "get bluesy" on violin opposite the horns. That, too, worked well last night.