The Smiley Smile Message Board

Any love for the Doobies? I have just recently acquired "The Captain & Me", "What Were Once Vices..." and "Stampede". I was very impressed with them all, "The Captain & Me" in particular blew me away. They seem to pick up where Creedence Clearwater Revival left off, with a bit of early Eagles thrown in as well. Will definitely be seeking out some of their other stuff!

Of course I love the Doobies! They're from my neck of the woods. I met and talked to Tom Johnston for awhile in the early 80's. It's a travesty that they're not in the R&R Hall of Fame!

Never liked Michael McDonald's voice.  Although I lked some of his songs, I always liked the pre and "post" Michael McDonald stuff.

Growing up in the 1980's I heard quite a lot of Michael McDonald on the radio. I was shocked when I found out he got his start in the Doobies. I've heard bits and pieces of "Takin' it to the Streets" and liked them enough to order the cd off amazon. I doubt if it will match up to the Tom Johnston stuff, but we'll see.

Nah, Michael McDonald got his start in my hometown( a suburb of):
>>Born in St. Louis, Missouri, McDonald played in several local bands (such as Mike and the Majestics, Jerry Jay and the Sheratons, the Reeb-Toors, the Del Rays and The Guild) while attending McCluer High School in his hometown of Ferguson, Missouri, now a city of some 25,000 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. McDonald was 'discovered' while playing with a group called Blue and consequently moved to Los Angeles in 1970.

 Michael McDonald first gained wide attention as an adjunct member of the group Steely Dan, providing back-up vocals on tracks for 1975's Katy Lied. He would return on subsequent Steely Dan recordings including 1976's The Royal Scam as well as both "Peg" and "I Got the News" from the 1977 album Aja. He also played keyboards on some Steely Dan tracks. McDonald continued to do background vocals for Steely Dan up to their 1980 release, Gaucho. He also was a member of the final incarnation of the early '70s Steely Dan touring band, playing keyboards/piano and singing backup.

McDonald was recruited by the band The Doobie Brothers in April 1975 when lead singer Tom Johnston became ill during a national tour. His time with the band proved so successful that they decided to retain him as a full time member..... <<

And now they are touring with Simmons and Johnston.  No McDonald.   And it is a really great concert.  Part of their new lp and classics.......with current band members doing a fine job of covering McDonald's songs.

Go see this tour.  You will leave satisfied.

Following up from my earlier post I received the album today. I think I need a few more listens for it to sink in. My first impression is that they really had no need for 3 guitarists anymore with this type of material. I really like the disco like drums and bassline on the opening cut. The title track grows on me with each listen. Sadly the one song Tom Johnston contributed was the weakest track on there. Also, oddly for all the musical changes, the guitar riff for "Long Train Running" is recycled quite a few times throughout the record.

Is it worth seeking out anymore of their releases after this or should I quit while I'm ahead?

The economy still needs stimulus, BUY THEM ALL!!

You wouldn't happen to be in the band now bgas?