[2] She recorded with Leon Russell a part of his Shelter People and trouped along with Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour.

McDonald sang on the Rolling Stones album Exile On Main St. and she worked with Delaney & Bonnie, Freddy King, and Big Brother and the Holding Company before she signed a solo deal with Capitol Records.

The album, Insane Asylum, is titled after the Willie Dixon penned track by Koko Taylor, which McDonald sang as a duet with Sly Stone.

"[4][5] Cash Box (March 2, 1974):The pretty young lady whose voice so gorgeously backed the likes of Leon Russell and Joe Cocker explodes with beauty and power at the same time on her new Capitol LP.

Reminiscent in a way of Janis Joplin in her prime, Kathi displays her talents both as a stylist and songwriter as she sings the Bee Gees "To Love Somebody", Holland-Dozier-Holland's "Heat Wave", and the Elvis Presley classic, "Heartbreak Hotel".