I have discovered ... The Doobie brothers

axisus · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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.

1981 JOHN McFEE OF THE DOOBIE BROTHERS DEAN GUITAR AD eBay

1981 JOHN McFEE OF THE DOOBIE BROTHERS DEAN GUITAR AD eBay

prowla · September 2023

Just great vocals and musicianship.

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

Neilybob · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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

Philly_Q · September 2023

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 · September 2023

Doobie = spliff.

That's all you need to know.

Kebabkid · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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

Tannin · September 2023

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

guitars4you · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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

joneve · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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 · September 2023

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

chromatuna · September 2023

I delved into their albums a while back and settled on Toulouse, Captain and Black Water from the following album for my playlist. Wonderful stuff in the right mood.

boogieman · October 2023

There was a Doobie’s documentary floating around on Sky Arts a while back, definitely worth a watch if you can find it.

axisus · October 2023

boogieman said:

There was a Doobie’s documentary floating around on Sky Arts a while back, definitely worth a watch if you can find it.

Ta, I'll try and find it!

guitars4you · October 2023

axisus said:

boogieman said:

There was a Doobie’s documentary floating around on Sky Arts a while back, definitely worth a watch if you can find it.

Ta, I'll try and find it!

yes that was excellent - about 2 hours long and well worth watching

Placidcasual79 · October 2023

I am not sure you can spend a pound any better than you have there really........it's well worth rolling the dice on some cd's that are maybe a little out of your wheel house for that price. Plus in charity bins you really never know what you're going to find.

You should put a few of your own CDs in the charity bin @axisus - maybe a few left field ones - spread the good word

I wonder if there has ever been like a curated cd/music service - you know you share your preferences and maybe pay a monthly subscription in exchange for which you get sent/downloaded curated albums and a playlist - you indicate which tracks on the playlist you like and the next batch of CD's follow on from those choices......

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I have discovered ... The Doobie brothers

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