Here are a few deep cuts we’ll probably never hear as the Doobie Brothers continue their fall 2019 tour. Nevertheless, they deserve attention …
“ANGELS OF MADNESS” from SIBLING RIVALRY (2000): What? You call yourself a fan of the Doobie Brothers, but you’ve never heard Sibling Rivalry? Shame! It’s the second-best album they’ve released since reforming, after World Gone Crazy, and certainly better than that travesty Southbound. John McFee, the band’s Swiss army knife, not only wrote this gem with drummer Mike Hossack and keyboardist Guy Allison, but he sang it, too. An accomplished vocalist (check out his old country band Southern Pacific), McFee delivers the best Doobies song of the last 30 years. “Angels of Madness” is lyrically sophisticated and musically nuanced. It’s a shame this song was buried on an album that didn’t chart.
“YOU NEVER CHANGE” from MINUTE BY MINUTE (1978): This Patrick Simmons song is often overlooked as most people gravitate to the hits on the Grammy-winning Minute by Minute. Simmons, always the glue of the band, shines on an excellent R&B-tinged composition which is advanced by Ted Templemen’s excellent production. Templeman’s cowbell and shaker creates magic with Keith Knudsen’s drumming and Bobby LaKind’s congas. Michael McDonald’s harmonies are expectedly excellent, and his Fender Rhodes and Hammond playing are as tasty as Jeff Baxter’s guitar solo. This is Doobie magic.
“ONE STEP CLOSER” from ONE STEP CLOSER (1980): This song has actually spanned two eras of the Doobie Brothers. It’s easy to see why, as “One Step Closer” has an infectious R&B groove. Like the rest of this album, the title track was recorded live in the studio. The two drummer, percussionist and real bass played by Tiran Porter simply groove. That represents something missing in every Doobie Brothers album since: groove. Part of the credit also goes to Cornelius Brumpus, whose vocal and sax is excellent. Credit is also due to the unusual writing team of John McFee, Carlene Carter and Keith Knudsen. This ain’t country music.
“YOU JUST CAN’T STOP IT” from WHAT ONCE WERE VICES NOW ARE HABITS (1974): This is the best Tom Johnston song not written by Tom Johnston. His vocal would have made James Brown smile. The Memphis horns dance around Mike Hossack’s backbeat, and the rhythm guitar is straight-up Memphis. Patrick Simmons, the composer, contributes a beautiful solo – and made the right decision to let Johnston take the lead.
“CAN’T LET IT GET AWAY” from FAREWELL TOUR (1983): Written by Pat Simmons, John McFee and Nicolette Larson, this song was buried on a post-breakup live album. Japanese fans were lucky to get a studio version of the song in 1981. The mid-tempo rocker features a tasty mix of Hammond Organ, synthesizer, and John McFee’s blazing lead guitar and solo. Perhaps if the Doobie Brothers had continued in this configuration, we would have had more successful blending of the roots rock and R&B flavor. As it stands now, the Doobie Brothers retreated from the more harmonically interesting elements they once pursued. They are genuinely trying hard to recreate what had yet to be created.
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