Disco de The Doobie Brothers: “Best of The Doobie Brothers Live”

Thank you thank you thank you! I have waited years for this to come out, having had their live album eons ago and played the grooves off of and could not find it on tape either. Having seen them perform live several times, these guys are one of the best bands ever, all their albums are classics. Treat yourself to this and have fun!

To my knowledge, this is the Doobie's earliest live album, surprising for such a concert-oriented band. The trouble is that they should have recorded it 10 to 15 years earlier, when the band was at its peak. There is just too much grey hair, tired rhythms and worn-out vocal cords.

But while time has clearly taken its toll of Mike McDonald's voice, Tom Johnston's has held up remarkably well. Another high spot on the album is Pat Simmon's 'Slat Key Soquel Rag', now bizarrely called 'Slack Key Soquel Rag'. The tone of Simmons' guitar is gorgeous. But isn't that an uncredited flute in the background? And surely that's a violin playing on 'Black Water'? Although a number of extra musicians are credited on the CD sleeve, the violin and flute don't get a mention.

It's good to hear McDonald and Johnston playing on the same podium, but a slight shame that the band couldn't persuade drummer John Hartman away from the veterinary surgery and guitarist Skunk Baxter away from the production desk for a night.

Sounds like it was a good concert.

This would be a fantastic cd rather than a great one if it included Takin' it to the streets. How can a Best of The Doobie Brothers cd be missing that song? Other than that this is a great selection of tracks from the Wildlife Concerts which did include the song. Buy it and play it loud!