The Doobie Brothers Album: “The Doobie Brothers”

Description :

The Doobie Brothers: Tom Johnston (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano); Pat Simmons (vocals, guitar); Dave Shogren (vocals, organ, bass instrument); John Hartman (drums). <p>Recording information: Pacific Recording, San Mateo, California. <p>The Doobie Brothers' debut album, released to a largely uncaring world in 1971, produced no hit singles. This seems strange in retrospect. Listening to the album today, one can hear that the Doobies' template (albeit sans the ultra-catchy pop hooks) was already pretty much in place. The band's trademark gospel harmonies are locked in here, as are their shimmering, finger-picked acoustic (and occasional electric) guitars and feel-good post-hippie vibe. <p>The album's sedate, almost folk-music feel (check out the concluding acoustic blues, "Chicago") is also somewhat strange when you consider that the Doobie Brothers had spent the preceding years as the house band for the San Jose chapter of the Hell's Angels. In any case, this is a solid and obviously promising album, with the most rocking cut being a cover of Randy Newman's "The Beehive State." Although the album doesn't near the pop-rock heights the band would refine in later years, it is a solid effort with a dash of country, a dash of boogie, and some fine songwriting.

Everyone remembers Toulouse Street and The Captain and Me...both solid efforts that built the Doobies a huge fan base...but to find out where it really began, this album was their major label debut in 1971. "Nobody" has that classic Johnston-Simmons chemistry that built the foundation for their style that would be a major force in the 70s. "Feelin' Down Farther" and "Travelin' Man" are also standouts...really, it's ALL good. Check out this little heard gem of an album...then after you've enjoyed this one...do yourself a favor and pick up "Cycles", their comeback disc from 1989...the return of the classic Doobies lineup with great tunes like "The Doctor", "Take Me to the Highway", "One Chain Don't Make No Prison" and "Need a Little Taste of Love". Pure joy to listen to...but THIS is the album that'll show you where it all began for these guys. Not to be missed!

I was absolutely amazed and blown away by this little known debut that I only recently was able to find. Little is said, perhaps because it didn't yield a radio hit. But it stands up to some of their later releases that DID enjoy radio exposure. Amazing how their sound has come full circle from this album to the Michael McDonald era and back again. Perhaps a key to much of their original sound and that of today is Tom Johnston in the beginning and his later return. Most definitely worth a listen. It's a keeper!

I was absolutely amazed and blown away by this little known debut that I only recently was able to find. Little is said, perhaps because it didn't yield a radio hit. But it stands up to some of their later releases that DID enjoy radio exposure. Amazing how their sound has come full circle from this album to the Michael McDonald era and back again. Perhaps a key to much of their original sound and today's return is Tom Johnston. Most definitely worth a listen. It's a keeper!

Long before Michael McDonald emasculated them, the Doobie Brothers were one heck of a rock band. The sound is so loose and laid back you might as well be sitting on Tom Johnston's front porch sipping moonshine. Every now and then you can hear, in its infancy, what would soon become the Doobies' trademark sound. While there's no particular standout track, the entire album is solid from start to finish. Highly recommended.

If you are a hardcore Doobie Brothers fan this is an important part of their history and their development. "Nobody" is the template for the smooth, soulful rock that became their standard. Casual fans would be better served picking up stronger efforts in an enormous and catchy catalogue, or getting a few things you like in MP3.