Although it was a rude awakening for many of the Doobies' fans back then (and still is for some), many of the songs of the so-called "McDonald era" hold up surprisingly well here, especially those at the end of disc one. The craft and musicianship of songs like the title track of Takin It To The Streets are of course undeniable. "It Keeps You Running" also still has a very nice haunting sort of quality to it all these years later.
Of course by the time of the Grammy blockbuster Minute By Minute all bets were off as the Doobies pretty much abandoned all connections to their rock past, and fully embraced commercial pop. A pretty convincing argument can be made that the McDonald led Doobies of this era would pave the way for such later horrors as Christopher Cross. This was also the time many longtime fans — myself included — pretty much got off the bus.
Not long after, with albums like One Step Closer, that "Long Train Comin" of the Doobie Brothers was headed for it's final stop. It is these songs of the so-called "McDonald era" — as well as the eventual reunion with Johnston — that make up the second disc of this collection.
For Doobies completists, you simply can't beat this collection for having it all neatly summed up in a nice two disc package. And even for those who favor the earlier stuff, as I do, the second disc provides a great perspective to how this band evolved musically, even as they eventually sold their rock and roll hearts out to the greener pastures of pop commercialism.
But when I drive out to meet "Miss Moo" — that dear old seventies high school journalism teacher of mine — this weekend, I definitely know which disc I'll have on the CD player.
If only they still had 8-Tracks...
Article comments
1 - Pico
Enjoyed your write-up, Glen. The Brothers were indeed one of those bands you didn't mind dominating AM radio back in the day.
The horn charts and soft rock numbers were there before Mike entered the scene; For Vices they brought in the Memphis horns and "South City Midnight Lady" (which I see they wisely put in this collection) is one of Simmons' best ever ballads. Stampede featured a Motown cover that became a hit and soul icon Curtis Mayfield even arranged a track. So I believe the Doobies were already headed toward MM territory; bringing him on board wasn't so much signaling a change in direction than acknowledging it.
IMO, I don't think that McDonald's entrance was such a bad thing; he actually contributed some good tunes as you pointed out. Rather, it's the loss of Johnston hurt them; if they had albums consisting of 3-4 of Johnston's, McDonald's and Simmon's best compositions, then maybe there wouldn't have been the filler that have plagued their LPs after Streets.
2 - Glen Boyd
Thanx Pico. The McDonald era was of course what it was. Some damn fine songs, but it just wasn't the same. Plus anything where Kenny loggins is involved (with the songwriting in this case) will have me pretty much throwing up the sign of the cross). The songs themselves however hold up quite well. Thanx for the comment and I'm glad you enjoyed the article.
-Hlen
3 - DJRadiohead
In the interest of fairness, on my review (btw, nice work, Glen) yes I made a Viagr@ joke about McDonald but I also said there were some good songs from his tenure. I tend to have a good one-liner in my review and it takes on a life of its own. More people were interested in a throwaway line about The Lovin' Spoonful or the male drug/McDonald than any of the other stuff I said. Which, you know, I can live with but I think I ought to at least be clear on it. Wait... that's my article. Let's talk about yours.
Yours is almost as good as mine- I kid, I kid. Geez. This is what happens when I get to the computer before my caffeine. Well done, Glen.
4 - Pico
I'm not so thrilled about the Kenny Loggins collaborations , either. If I had this CD, "What A Fool Believes" would never get played. I've heard it plenty of enough times, thank you very much.
It's kinda cool to get perspectives of the Doobie Brothers and their hits from two different generations. Both you and DJR have some good takes on the subject. You know, maybe you guys should make a series out of that ;&)
5 - Glen Boyd
Thanx so much DJR.
Being the "rockologist" I tend to fancy myself as, I confess that your "throwaway" line about the Lovin Spoonful got to me a little too -- somebody like the Beau Brummels just would have fit the sentiment you were trying to express a bit better. That said, I thought that your review was spot on, which is a big part of the reason I held my own up for a few days (well that and the fact that my computer was f**ked up and in the shop).
So backatcha DJR.
You only got thing backwards though. Your review was actually almost as good as...mine. LOL---
-Glen