The Doobie Brothers
The Warner Bros. Years- 1971-1983
Warner Brothers
Chrome pipes glowing, long hair flowing, halter tops and tattoos showing – the menagerie of gloriously vivid all-American snapshots that come crashing to mind universally by the timeless music of The Doobie Brothers. And from the opening downhome pickin’ style of “Nobody,” from the band’s oft overlooked 1971 self-titled debut album, to the raucous conclusion of “China Grove,” from the 1982 double-live Farewell Tour set, this exhaustive 10-record collection is a mouth-watering, must-order, five-courser for all starving intergalactic fans.
Spanning the band’s entire gold and platinum-selling, Ted Templeman-produced, Warner Brothers era (1971-1983), this 110-track time capsule reveals ONE absolute truth – The Doobie Brothers are SO much more than a mere concert set’s worth of iconic radio staples (“Listen to the Music,” “Jesus is Just Alright,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “Black Water,” “Takin’ it to the Streets”). In fact, guitar-slinging singer/songwriters, Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston are arguably most effective and engaging with such less-frequently spun tunes as “Slippery St. Paul,” “White Sun,” “The Captain and Me,” “Tell Me What You Want (And I’ll Give You What You Need)” and “I Been Workin’ On You.” Even during their more corporate-sounding, latter day, non-Johnston, Michael McDonald-driven, “What a Fool Believes”/”Real Love” period, it was the hidden gems- “There’s a Light,” “Don’t Stop to Watch the Wheels” and “Keep This Train A-Rollin’” that shine brightest. Remember?
Packaged cleverly inside a handy, eye-catching storage box, each of the 10 records is an authentic, miniature-sized recreation of the original 12” LP version – right down to the gate-folds and liner notes- a nice touch, indeed, for old school aficionados. And just in time for the upcoming 2015, holiday, gift-giving season. Dear Santa, I know that I’ve been naughty this year, but…
