I have discovered ... The Doobie brothers

axisus

OK, so I've always really liked two classic tracks of theirs - Listen to the music and Long train running, but I've never looked into the band in any way at all. When I was growing up I remember them being around with Michael MacDonald singing, and it was a much smoother music. Still good, but not 'quite' my thing.

So, I was mooching around a charity shop the other day looking at cheap CDs and I saw their Greatest hits for 25p! Seemed worth a punt, and boy was it! The songs before MM arrived are way more guitar oriented, just real cool rockin 70s music. Back then Tom Johnston was the main man - Main singer, guitarist, main songwriter. Such a kick ass band back then!

So I quickly ditched the greatest hits in favour of the first 5 albums (with Tom) and I am REALLY enjoying them. I can't believe I missed the band for so long. 



I picked up three other 25p albums - Peter Gabriel SO, Rolling Stones greatest hits and Queen greatest hits II. A pretty good haul for a quid!

Kebabkid

Great band and still delivering. I saw them on a joint bill with Steely Dan a few years ago at The O2 and just after Becker passed away. They blew SD off stage and sounded great with a lot of energy, too.

China Grove, Listen to the music, Rocking down the highway, Takin' it to the streets were regulars in our set.

axisus

Kebabkid said:

Great band and still delivering. I saw them on a joint bill with Steely Dan a few years ago at The O2 and just after Becker passed away. They blew SD off stage and sounded great with a lot of energy, too.

China Grove, Listen to the music, Rocking down the highway, Takin' it to the streets were regulars in our set.

Yeah, I've been playing recent-ish live shows on Youtube this morning whilst faffing on the computer, great stuff!

My fave song is Jesus is alright, I'll have a go at learning that.

idiotwind

axisus said:

My fave song is Jesus is alright, I'll have a go at learning that.

Byrds did it better, worth checking out if you like the song.

LionAquaLooper

I watched a music documentary not long ago where someone in it said that Doobie Brothers approached Kenny Loggins  to be their main vocalist before Michael McDonald.  If that's true, that would be a great "what-if" scenario.  Though I can't imagine Kenny Loggins singing McDonald's parts.  Just isn't the same.    

EricTheWeary

Tim Pierce was talking about them. I'm not sure if I have the story right but I think Skunk Baxter joined them after leaving Steely Dan (he was the guitarist in the SD before they became famous and then sort of relegated to occasional sessions) and then he recruited Michael MacDonald who had been a Steely backing vocalist. So the two bands have a linked history. If, for some odd reason, I was forced to choose between the two bands I'd probably plump for the more soulful/groovy Doobies. 

Philly_Q

I don't know much about them, except I have the 7" single of What a Fool Believes.

I do remember this Dean advert with John McFee which I thought was pretty cool.

prowla

Just great vocals and musicianship.

I watched one of the TV rock documentaries about them some time ago and it was really interesting.

Neilybob

Philly_Q said:

I don't know much about them, except I have the 7" single of What a Fool Believes.

I do remember this Dean advert with John McFee which I thought was pretty cool.

What a fool believe's is my favourite Doobie Bros tune. 

hollywoodrox

Michael McDonald is really good & he’s been in both bands no wonder I used to get mixed up with them 

Philly_Q

hollywoodrox said:

Michael McDonald is really good & he’s been in both bands no wonder I used to get mixed up with them 

They're an OK bunch of guys, but just say no to drugs.

merlin

Doobie = spliff. 

That's all you need to know. 

Kebabkid

LionAquaLooper said:

I watched a music documentary not long ago where someone in it said that Doobie Brothers approached Kenny Loggins  to be their main vocalist before Michael McDonald.  If that's true, that would be a great "what-if" scenario.  Though I can't imagine Kenny Loggins singing McDonald's parts.  Just isn't the same.    

Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald wrote 'What a fool believes' and so there's a link

LionAquaLooper

Kebabkid said:

LionAquaLooper said:

I watched a music documentary not long ago where someone in it said that Doobie Brothers approached Kenny Loggins  to be their main vocalist before Michael McDonald.  If that's true, that would be a great "what-if" scenario.  Though I can't imagine Kenny Loggins singing McDonald's parts.  Just isn't the same.    

Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald wrote 'What a fool believes' and so there's a link

One of my favourite songs and didn't even know Kenny Loggins co-wrote it until now.  Thanks for that bit of trivia

exocet

Whilst not a definitive Doobie Brothers line up, I love this live concert from 1982.



 

Tannin

I'll bring you your slippers and your walking frame. You're done.

guitars4you

Some great tracks in there, both with Michael Mc and without - Many forget how big the Doobie entourage were in the 70's - The first, or one of the first to tour with their own plane

There is a great DB's documentary and Michael Mc speaks about joining the band and song writing - He timidly points out that he didn't really believe he could write and yet he had a half hearted stab at Minute by Minute and What a fool believes

guyinlyon

I'm so old I know what a "doobie" is.

joneve

Great band, who I know, thanks to my dad. I love them with MM but only ever got to see them with their current(ish) lineup around 12 years ago. 

Their 2010 album World Gone Crazy is worth checking out as the best of their new stuff. 

FelineGuitars

I saw Michael McDonald live years ago here in Croydon, after doing some work for his guitarist.

A bit mellow/smooth compared to my usual listening, but a polished gig all the same.

Whitecat

Love me some Doobies! Saw them like almost 25 years ago and then again a few years ago at the Bluesfest thing with Steely Dan. Both times super tight and super into it.

Sad to say I've never seen them with Michael McDonald but I'd sure love to as I loved that era.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0B6nxPfcCM