The Doobies have tons of hits, and their music covers a wide range of styles, with multiple singers and songwriters in the band. "Takin' it to the Streets" is one of my favorites.
I'm 52, and I remember when this song was new. This is from a different era. Real musicians. Real vocals. Real lyrics. All from the soul. "What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away".
I’m 52 also & was six when this album came out. I used to lay on the carpet in front of the stereo and thump the floor to the beat with my eyes closed.
Michael was not only in the Doobies, not only in Steely Dan, and not only had a great solo career, but sang great duets. See Patti Labelle, Christopher Cross, and James Ingram (see Yah Mo Be There)
Michael McDonald was never officially a member of Steely Dan. However, he did appear on many tracks and was a background singer for one of their tours in the 1970s. Donald Fagen said that while they were touring, he wondered what the hell he was doing out front as the lead singer with Michael McDonald in the background. 🤣
As much as I like Steely Dan, I agree with Fagen. Fagen's style of singing is much more intimate--like a really good lounge act singing and playing a piano ten feet away from your table. McDonald's style is much more grandiose. It's not quite Freddy Mercury arena rock style grandiose, but it is big concert hall style. He has an incredible range and hits notes it seems like no adult man should be able to hit. @@makeadifference4all
Doobie Brothers were one of the best in 79. I graduated school in 76. I live with and listen to so many different bands then, the songs, lyrics, the different styles. I miss it all so. I have a few now, up and coming bands I like now. But nothing like my youth.
I can attest that in 1979 on an old school bus in northern Indiana that the driver would crank the volume and we'd slow down while the entire bus stood and danced...legit, a crazy true thing... Also, one word ?? , irresistible
ok so Michael sang for the Doobies, did a solo career, sang backup for Steely Dan (Peg and other songs) and Christopher Cross and numerous other groups. you can recognize his voice anytime hes either singing or backing someone up. a VERY recognizeable voice
Babygirl checkout Taking it to the Streets and Minute by Minute. You will not be disappointed!! Trust me. One of the greatest bands of the 70's...hell all time!!
You need to DIVE INTO The Doobie Brothers. LONG TRAIN RUNNIN official video.. 😊❤❤❤One of my favorite 70’s groups! Been at the top of my playlist for decades. ❤
Michael McDonald~~~Steely Dan Background Singer~~~ Joins with Jeff Baxter Ex-Steely Dan Guitarist and Joins The Doobie Brothers~~~~ Then goes solo~~~~ McDonald in the 8o's was on Everybody's albums
@darinkaintz386 And this song was written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins together. It appears on Kenny Loggins album first, then Michael McDonald recorded it while he was a member of the Doobie Brothers.
@seanswinton6242 😄 What a wonderful decade, or two, of music. I so loved growing up during the 60s & hit my teen yrs during the 70s, then young adult yrs during the 80s & 90s. Woooo! The Doobie Brothers were fantastic! And yes, Kenny Loggins, wow!
Michael sang on lots of records before joining Steely Dan in the early '70s. Steely Dan decided to be a studio band only and stop touring. They did eventually resume touring in the '90s. The Doobie Brothers founding member, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Tommy Johnson got violently sick during their '75 tour and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who played in Steely Dan with Michael called him and invited him to replace Tommy. Michael was on a plane that day and joined the Doobie Bros the next day in Baton Rouge (if I recall correctly). He stayed with them for several records through the early '80s before going solo in 1984 with his debut solo record and hit "I Keep Forgetting." Michael has always remained close with the Doobie Brothers and even tours and records with them once again. They're family. They always say, "Once a Doobie, always a Doobie!"
Indeed! It was a time when the bands were little to none narcissistic about their stage image as much as they were about their talented musicianship on display; not like nowadays where they just want to flash their self-centeredness, while offering very little of musical substance to go with the image or stage show presentation! A lot of these guys studied music as majors-- for instance, go look up the members of bands like Boston, Chicago, Kansas, and a whole slew of others who actually had some decent degree of musical training in their upbringings; artists these days hardly focus on that level of musical genius or prowess!!!! Even the ones who weren't formally trained back in the day were avid perfectionists when developing and devoting themselves to their musical craft! Musicianship was through the roof with a lot of actual musical talent! I blame the industry for wanting to create icons of stage shows rather than focusing and promoting the actual talent!
@@JOSEMunoz-tc5rq - Agreed. I was 15 in '79. '79 to '84 is my favorite era, but I love most stuff from the 1950's up until and including then. In the summer on Saturday evenings we go to a friend's house, from my childhood, and he and his wife, and me and my wife, sit out back just jamming to all the old music we grew up on and love, and reminisce about the old days, trivia about the artists that we know, and more until the wee hours of the morning. Good times!
@@1001Hobbies I can definitely relate with the old music my dad's 80 so I grew up listening to Fats Domino , Bill Haley & the Comets a l o n g with a bunch of people from the 50s and 60s I'd have to say my favorite time would be 1977 to 1987 its because by 1988 I could see that the music was changing lol I remember telling a friend that the 1990s were gonna suck. oh one more thing my favorite concert that I attended was U2 the Joshua tree tour hands down my best experience
Such a timeless, upbeat groove juxtaposed against tragic lyrics about fooling oneself into thinking a relationship existed when it did not. "She had a place in his life, He never made her think twice." Masterful songwriting!
Wayne is def a 1974 name. I was just talking to a Jessica and a Jennifer from the 80s... they just found out they're now the Deborah's and Susans to the the GenZ Olivia's and Sophia's.
Michael McDonald's voice in one word is like "Butter"! Velvety rich warm smooth butta!! And I could have it every day and twice on Sundays. One of the most iconic vocalists ever!
The lyrics are brilliant , very moving if you take the time to really listen to them. They describe a LOT of men who are smitten by a beauty who hardly knows he exists, and yet he has his unspoken fantasy about a relationship he imagines they have. “She had a place in his life. He hardly made her think twice.” I listened to that song for years but never really appreciated it until I finally saw the lyrics in print as he sang them. I was gobsmacked, broke down and cried ugly tears when I realized I had lived them.
The Doobie Brothers were known for their incredible harmonies from day one, before Michael McDonald joined the band. And as you just found out, they were more than capable of continuing that style with McDonald. Check out the live version of Long Train Runnin' to get a real sense of their full range of talents. Brothers from a variety of mothers, if you'll excuse the tortured cliche.
As usual an amazing reaction from you Britt ! And yes ..the Doobie Brothers are real icons in R &B .Michael Mac Donald and his members are already 5 decades active.The band was formed in 1970. They had difficulty from the start to find an appropriate and good name for the band until a next door-friend of one the members suggested "The Doobie Brothers", with a 'doobie' being a marihuana joint ,as they all were used to smoke that ! And sure...this is again a song from the 70's when they had the know-how to play phenomenal music, sing terrific vocals and write the best lyrics...this kind of music is one of a kind and will not return.
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever. The melody & chords and of course the moving story sung by the heavenly voice of Michael McDonald. The production is perfect. Whenever I hear the line 'As he rises to her apology, anybody else would surely know/ He's watchin' her go...' it makes me choke up. Thank God I lived through this incredible period of creativity.
its a video, that's the studio track on a live recording video. he is harmonising with himself. It is one of his talents that made him a constant guest on Steely Dan and others, where his amazing voice and his ability to create intricate harmonies were desired.
The reason it's so unique to me, is that he sings falsetto, but it still sounds so masculine. This song and 'Takin it to the streets' are my favorites.
Cheers for finally getting rid of that "rain filter". When you are showing concerts or TV clips, it was impossible for me to see what was happening. Thank you!!! I enjoy your videos and will enjoy them so much more now!!! Bless you, Britt!!
This was standard music in the 70s/80s. We didn't have computers to improve the voice, the quality came directly from the vocal cords. Michael Mc Donald was one of the many good artist in de 70/80’s.
Back in the 70s everyone shared a "doobie". Bands were all brothers of the "doobie" even before Michael Mcdonald. He was the vocal force that elevated them to a higher level. Listen to The Music was an incredible hit before this. In my 40 years in radio there were only a few songs I never tired of hearing. This is one of them. His voice is haunting.
The Doobies have two distinct sounds, the before Michael McDonald Era which is awesome with songs like Long Train Running, Black Water etc., then the McDonald Era which is totally different but just as amazing.
The Doobie Brothers was the first concert I ever went to when I was 16. I remember the warm up band was ZZ Top. They were both amazing! One of the best concerts in my life.
I've met Michael McDonald while working at a Radisson Suites Hotel as night manager. He is so chill and is a very nice person. This was back in the early 90s when he said he was working on a project with Anita Baker. Please listen to "It keeps you Runnin" Listen to the lyrics. ❤
Their first lead singer was Tom Johnston. He was good as well. I was lucky to see the group play with both Michael and Tom together. What an experience. You will flip over Jesus is Just Alright With Me and China Grove.
You are right about the second word for doobie. They said they smoked so much they might as well call themselves the Doobie Brothers. They had another lead singer before Micheal and they had a different sound, but I like both sounds.
Pat was always in the band. Tom Johnston left for a while due to health reasons. That's when Michael McDonald came in. Later on, McDonald left and Johnston returned.@@jpmnewyork
From a Google Search: Why are The Doobie Brothers called doobie? Behind the Band Name: The Doobie Brothers - A friend of the band and fellow musician, Keith Rosen, is the one who suggested the name The Doobie Brothers, as the word “doobie” is a nickname for a marijuana joint that the bandmates often indulged in. Johnston admits that they couldn't come up with a band name and didn't expect Rosen's suggestion to stick.Mar 15, 2023
I got to see the Doobie Brothers in concert around 1973. Two things that amazed me were the drummer broke a stick in the middle of a song and threw it, caught a new one and if hadn't seen, wouldn't have known it happened and a bit latter a guitarist broke a string and thew the guitar off stage and at the same time it left his hands, a new one was caught and he had it plugged in and going, again, if hadn't seen it, wouldn't have hardly known it happened, it was so fast and smooth. Those behind stage also had to be great stage hands. One thing though was they had the sound so loud that my ears rang and buzzed for a couple days, had a hard time hearing my HS teachers. I always keep some cotton to stick in my ears every concert afterward. Around a month after that concert, there was a report on the national news about how they were so loud that it was about like being something like 8 foot from a jumbo jet engine.
MM, I think he joined The Doobie Brothers around the mid-70s to do leads. One of my favourite soul singers and this song came out the same year I was born ❤
You need more Doobie Brothers! Their greatest hits album has been a top seller for years. Black Water, Taking It To The Street and pretty much everything else on that album are tight harmonies and great musicianship. You can't go wrong on this rabbit hole.
Enjoyed your take on it.. heard it first time 'round and still listen to him, and the Doobie Brothers. I'd love to see what you like posted in your review style. My love for music spans decades.
I asked ChatGPT. She said: Michael McDonald is a highly distinctive and accomplished vocalist known for his soulful and raspy voice. His singing style is often characterized by a smooth and rich tone, with a notable ability to convey emotion and depth in his performances. McDonald's voice has a unique timbre, featuring a combination of warmth and grit that sets him apart in the realm of blue-eyed soul and R&B. His vocal range allows him to navigate through various octaves effortlessly, and he often incorporates soulful inflections and nuanced phrasing into his singing. McDonald gained prominence as a member of the Doobie Brothers, contributing significantly to their sound with his soulful lead vocals and background harmonies. Over the years, he has also enjoyed a successful solo career, showcasing his versatile voice in a variety of musical genres, including rock, pop, and rhythm and blues. Overall, Michael McDonald's voice is distinctive, soulful, and instantly recognizable.
Rich is a great word. Raspy is another. Blue-eyed soul. I’m really surprised I haven’t seen this posted yet, but this is how we White people would refer to a lot of voices and sounds very similar. Like Hall & Oates, for example. It used to floor the Black folks in school when we insisted H&O and Mike McD were white. ‘Nu-uh! No white boys sound like that!’ They went home, turned on MTV, and came to school the next day with their proverbial tails between their legs. Whoops. George Michael is another fantastic example of Blue-eyed soul. This may be heresy to some, and that’s fine, but his version of ‘Papa was a Rolling Stone’ is actually the one I like the best. 🤷🏻♀️
Love watching you hear this for the first time, super cool experience for those of us who’ve been living this song and the Doobies’ music for 45 years. The doobies… 😉😊🥳
“ Taking It to the Streets” live- is McDonald’s gospel Civil Rights anthem. ❤And he also wrote What A Fool Believes with the great Kenny Loggins. Watch him and Kenny doing it LIVE. MIKE’s voice to me is SMOOTH and ROUGH rolled into one sexay package!
Watching Kenny and Mike do it live on Soundstage I can hear so much more of Mike’s harmonizing - as opposed to his recording with The Doobie Brothers where everything is Mike’s voice layered in. The 14-15 minute clip on YT of Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald at Soundstage in 2017 is really something. The three songs Kenny and Mike co-wrote together and them singing live. Tight as hell and not an autotune in sight! (Plus Kenny’s band and backup singers are really, really great and they look like they’re having fun!) The whole show is worth a watch, even if you’re not a huge KL fan. You’ll probably know more than you think.
The Doobie Brothers came before Michael. They have a great number of hits before, during and after Michael joined them. Like other posters suggested, try Black Water. Then listen to Long Train Running, Jesus is Just Alright, Take Me in Your Arms, China Grove and Listen to the Music for starters.
Born in 1971, We had GREAT MUSIC to listen to! From the Doobie Brothers, The Commodores,James Ingram, Switch,Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Journey (Steve Perry), James Taylor, The Eagles, Player, Hall and Oats,Fleetwood Mac,.... Too many others to list! Air Supply, REO Speedwagon, Chicago,Santana, TOTO, and STILL many others,lol!❤ 💯
Michael McDonald joined and took over lead vocals for an already well established band when the original singer and founder Tom Johnston ended up in the hospital and nearly died from stomach ulcers. Tom and fellow founder Pat Simmons were the original Doobie Brothers and named that because of their love of smoking doobies. They still tour today, Michael McDonald is with them and they all still sound great!
The lyrics! Heart wrenching. One has moved on, the other hasn’t so much. Top 10 covers ever. This is a Kenny Loggin’s song. Edit: the one word to describe Michael McDonald’s voice: Frosting.
Word "Phenomenal" voice and they also vocally ONLY grouo REMOTELY simolar id say is yhe Bee Gees with the falcetos. - "Long Train Running" NEXT from them!! Fantastic tune! One of my all time favourite ones for bringing back memories as a kid as my old man loved the Doobie Brothers back then! 👍🏴🇬🇧
It's an ancient Asian saying that came long before Nike ever existed; "Doo...Bie!" - Ancient Asian Wiseman 🧘🏻♂ Then came; "I think therefore I am" "Just Do it!"
Saw the reunion of The Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald 2 years ago at PNC. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen! All members in or near their 70’s and sounded amazing. Absolutely incredible.
You got it! Michael McDonald's voice stands out on its own, but whenever he sings with anyone else it's so inviting that they welcome his voice in to blend into theirs. For instance, when he sang with Patti LaBelle on "On My Own" we all knew that Patti's voice can be overwhelming, but when Michael McDonald sang with her, we could hear her almost instinctually pull her voice back so that his voice could blend with hers. And as much as they probably hate to hear it, this is why men like Michael McDonald, Michael Bolton, John Oates and oddly enough (even though he seemed to take issue w/ brown people), Phil Collins' music were labeled "Blue-eyed' soul.
Iconic
soul-soaked!
TaaaaaDOOOOOOOOOOW!
Love black water
45 years ago today, this song hit #1 on the Billboard charts.
Ur high... The video in the beginning says "1979"... That is old enough, trust me, brewskies...
As I know you're a fan of great harmony, try the Doobie Brothers' Black Water. You won't be disappointed.
Absolutely do this one.
Good call
Absolutely!
or PEG by Steely Dan....he sings 5 parts
My favorite Doobie track!
The Doobies have tons of hits, and their music covers a wide range of styles, with multiple singers and songwriters in the band. "Takin' it to the Streets" is one of my favorites.
their early live version is AMAZING.
Doobie brothers "Listen to the Music " you need to watch and see
“Haunting” is the word. Once you hear it you cannot forget it, and it’s so unique you recognize it anywhere.
I'm 52, and I remember when this song was new. This is from a different era. Real musicians. Real vocals. Real lyrics. All from the soul. "What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away".
He did backing vocals for several artists , one example is Steely Dan’s “peg”
I’m 52 also & was six when this album came out. I used to lay on the carpet in front of the stereo and thump the floor to the beat with my eyes closed.
He also has the most beautiful blue eyes . Unfortunately not seen here.
I’m with you brother, 67 was a kid when this came out. MMc is my favorite Doobie. And to answer Britt’s question ‘Doobie’ refers to second 💨
Soulful
💯 you beat me to it 😊
me too..i honestly figured she would think this word herself
Exactly! Took the words right out of my mouth! Michael McDonald is one soulful a$$ Mo-Fo!
Yup yup yup!
That's the word. Bang on.
The Doobies have sold more than 50 million records and ruled the airwaves forever. He's still touring. A national treasure.
Expressive
Michael was not only in the Doobies, not only in Steely Dan, and not only had a great solo career, but sang great duets. See Patti Labelle, Christopher Cross, and James Ingram (see Yah Mo Be There)
Toto
Michael McDonald was never officially a member of Steely Dan. However, he did appear on many tracks and was a background singer for one of their tours in the 1970s. Donald Fagen said that while they were touring, he wondered what the hell he was doing out front as the lead singer with Michael McDonald in the background. 🤣
@@makeadifference4all I'd call that more of an adjunct member.
I thought you said “on” the doobies. For sure
As much as I like Steely Dan, I agree with Fagen. Fagen's style of singing is much more intimate--like a really good lounge act singing and playing a piano ten feet away from your table. McDonald's style is much more grandiose. It's not quite Freddy Mercury arena rock style grandiose, but it is big concert hall style. He has an incredible range and hits notes it seems like no adult man should be able to hit. @@makeadifference4all
Doobie Brothers were one of the best in 79. I graduated school in 76. I live with and listen to so many different bands then, the songs, lyrics, the different styles. I miss it all so. I have a few now, up and coming bands I like now. But nothing like my youth.
SMOOTH.....❤
yup. Smooth as butter
One of the VERY few bands that sound as good live as they do in the studio. Unparalleled.
and they still do.
I can attest that in 1979 on an old school bus in northern Indiana that the driver would crank the volume and we'd slow down while the entire bus stood and danced...legit, a crazy true thing... Also, one word ?? , irresistible
The name "Doobie" is exactly what it says.they would roll one up and play music like brothers.
Cha-ching! 👍
In my day. Still listening to them to this day! Loved the music in the 70’s. Melodic!
They rolled up more than 1
lel
ok so Michael sang for the Doobies, did a solo career, sang backup for Steely Dan (Peg and other songs) and Christopher Cross and numerous other groups. you can recognize his voice anytime hes either singing or backing someone up. a VERY recognizeable voice
Michael's voice is indeed UNIQUE and has not yet been duplicated, as far as I can tell.
Kenny loggins as well
Babygirl checkout Taking it to the Streets and Minute by Minute. You will not be disappointed!! Trust me. One of the greatest bands of the 70's...hell all time!!
Two words to describe, his voice….husky butter
Lol
Yes
You need to DIVE INTO The Doobie Brothers. LONG TRAIN RUNNIN official video.. 😊❤❤❤One of my favorite 70’s groups! Been at the top of my playlist for decades. ❤
Back when "rock stars" would wear a tuxedo to a show or award ceremony. When music had instruments. And the lyrics were poetry.
And they could actually play instruments.
I saw the doobie brothers at Red Rocks, Colorado in the late 70’s….they were so good! What a great place to see a show.
"Jesus Is Just Alright with Me" -Doobie Brothers. One of their many hits
Before McDonald, with original members Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons as lead vocalist.
EXCELLENT CHOICE!!! live performance is great!
Yes...
You "have" to do "Own My Own", a duet he did with none other than the incomparable "Miss Patti LaBelle!! You're gonna "LOVE 💕 IT!!!"❤️🎶
Miss Patti!!
Michael McDonald~~~Steely Dan Background Singer~~~ Joins with Jeff Baxter Ex-Steely Dan Guitarist and Joins The Doobie Brothers~~~~ Then goes solo~~~~ McDonald in the 8o's was on Everybody's albums
PEG!!!!!!!
Wow! Blew my mind with this. Thanks.
@darinkaintz386 And this song was written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins together. It appears on Kenny Loggins album first, then Michael McDonald recorded it while he was a member of the Doobie Brothers.
@seanswinton6242 😄 What a wonderful decade, or two, of music. I so loved growing up during the 60s & hit my teen yrs during the 70s, then young adult yrs during the 80s & 90s. Woooo! The Doobie Brothers were fantastic! And yes, Kenny Loggins, wow!
Michael sang on lots of records before joining Steely Dan in the early '70s. Steely Dan decided to be a studio band only and stop touring. They did eventually resume touring in the '90s.
The Doobie Brothers founding member, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Tommy Johnson got violently sick during their '75 tour and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who played in Steely Dan with Michael called him and invited him to replace Tommy. Michael was on a plane that day and joined the Doobie Bros the next day in Baton Rouge (if I recall correctly). He stayed with them for several records through the early '80s before going solo in 1984 with his debut solo record and hit "I Keep Forgetting."
Michael has always remained close with the Doobie Brothers and even tours and records with them once again. They're family. They always say, "Once a Doobie, always a Doobie!"
💨Smoked my first joint at a Doobie Brothers concert in 1975. Still, my favorite pass time‼️
This was a whole other time when music was MUSIC. I’m very blessed to have lived and experienced such an awesome period in music. So much fun.
God bless the 70's
Indeed! It was a time when the bands were little to none narcissistic about their stage image as much as they were about their talented musicianship on display; not like nowadays where they just want to flash their self-centeredness, while offering very little of musical substance to go with the image or stage show presentation! A lot of these guys studied music as majors-- for instance, go look up the members of bands like Boston, Chicago, Kansas, and a whole slew of others who actually had some decent degree of musical training in their upbringings; artists these days hardly focus on that level of musical genius or prowess!!!! Even the ones who weren't formally trained back in the day were avid perfectionists when developing and devoting themselves to their musical craft! Musicianship was through the roof with a lot of actual musical talent! I blame the industry for wanting to create icons of stage shows rather than focusing and promoting the actual talent!
It is one of the great harmonic vocal performancies,it was common to overdub himself on harmonies! Legendary vocalist!
It was such a great era to be a teenager. This was "typical" music. It was expected. And it was freaking awesome!!!
It certainly was I was 16 in 1979 and little did we know what we had in store with the 80s just around the corner back then😊😊😊😊
@@JOSEMunoz-tc5rq - Agreed. I was 15 in '79. '79 to '84 is my favorite era, but I love most stuff from the 1950's up until and including then.
In the summer on Saturday evenings we go to a friend's house, from my childhood, and he and his wife, and me and my wife, sit out back just jamming to all the old music we grew up on and love, and reminisce about the old days, trivia about the artists that we know, and more until the wee hours of the morning. Good times!
@@1001Hobbies I can definitely relate with the old music my dad's 80 so I grew up listening to Fats Domino , Bill Haley & the Comets a l o n g with a bunch of people from the 50s and 60s I'd have to say my favorite time would be 1977 to 1987 its because by 1988 I could see that the music was changing lol I remember telling a friend that the 1990s were gonna suck. oh one more thing my favorite concert that I attended was U2 the Joshua tree tour hands down my best experience
This was an incredible assembly of talent. I'm lucky to be alive in this era.
Such a timeless, upbeat groove juxtaposed against tragic lyrics about fooling oneself into thinking a relationship existed when it did not. "She had a place in his life, He never made her think twice." Masterful songwriting!
He is like Steve Perry a unique voice that no one else has.
And Elvis of course 🥰
The Doobie Brothers "Minute By Minute" ❤ Nuff Said.
facts! my favorite doobie bros song
Amen!
A FAN FROM 1974, I'M 75 YEARS OLD NOW AND STILL LOVE THIS MUSIC. WAYNE
Wayne is def a 1974 name.
I was just talking to a Jessica and a Jennifer from the 80s... they just found out they're now the Deborah's and Susans to the the GenZ Olivia's and Sophia's.
Wallahu Snackbar
One word? Soulful.
Michael McDonald's voice in one word is like "Butter"! Velvety rich warm smooth butta!! And I could have it every day and twice on Sundays. One of the most iconic vocalists ever!
The lyrics are brilliant , very moving if you take the time to really listen to them. They describe a LOT of men who are smitten by a beauty who hardly knows he exists, and yet he has his unspoken fantasy about a relationship he imagines they have. “She had a place in his life. He hardly made her think twice.” I listened to that song for years but never really appreciated it until I finally saw the lyrics in print as he sang them. I was gobsmacked, broke down and cried ugly tears when I realized I had lived them.
The Doobie Brothers were known for their incredible harmonies from day one, before Michael McDonald joined the band. And as you just found out, they were more than capable of continuing that style with McDonald. Check out the live version of Long Train Runnin' to get a real sense of their full range of talents. Brothers from a variety of mothers, if you'll excuse the tortured cliche.
Him and Patti Labelle singing together gives me chills
This comment needs more likes.
Yes!!
Agreed. That was one of the best duets of all time.
Meliflous
I'm in my 70's and love the Doobies, this was when music was music, most of the new stuff is junk.
This wonderful song HURTS sooooo damn GOOD! You wanna dance AND cry while you're DANCING!
Black Water. Huge hit from the early seventies and I know you would absolutely love it love it love it.
As usual an amazing reaction from you Britt ! And yes ..the Doobie Brothers are real icons in R &B .Michael Mac Donald and his members are already 5 decades active.The band was formed in 1970. They had difficulty from the start to find an appropriate and good name for the band until a next door-friend of one the members suggested "The Doobie Brothers", with a 'doobie' being a marihuana joint ,as they all were used to smoke that !
And sure...this is again a song from the 70's when they had the know-how to play phenomenal music, sing terrific vocals and write the best lyrics...this kind of music is one of a kind and will not return.
Bippity boppity
One of the most distinctive voices and groups in rock and roll.
So many great songs.
Thank you for commenting.
This is one of the most beautiful songs ever. The melody & chords and of course the moving story sung by the heavenly voice of Michael McDonald. The production is perfect. Whenever I hear the line 'As he rises to her apology, anybody else would surely know/ He's watchin' her go...' it makes me choke up. Thank God I lived through this incredible period of creativity.
its a video, that's the studio track on a live recording video. he is harmonising with himself. It is one of his talents that made him a constant guest on Steely Dan and others, where his amazing voice and his ability to create intricate harmonies were desired.
The organ player is singing, two of the drummers sang, both guitar players, and the bass player all sing.
The reason it's so unique to me, is that he sings falsetto, but it still sounds so masculine. This song and 'Takin it to the streets' are my favorites.
Cheers for finally getting rid of that "rain filter". When you are showing concerts or TV clips, it was impossible for me to see what was happening. Thank you!!! I enjoy your videos and will enjoy them so much more now!!! Bless you, Britt!!
Ditto!!
This was standard music in the 70s/80s. We didn't have computers to improve the voice, the quality came directly from the vocal cords.
Michael Mc Donald was one of the many good artist in de 70/80’s.
Back in the 70s everyone shared a "doobie". Bands were all brothers of the "doobie" even before Michael Mcdonald. He was the vocal force that elevated them to a higher level. Listen to The Music was an incredible hit before this. In my 40 years in radio there were only a few songs I never tired of hearing. This is one of them. His voice is haunting.
The Doobies have two distinct sounds, the before Michael McDonald Era which is awesome with songs like Long Train Running, Black Water etc., then the McDonald Era which is totally different but just as amazing.
The Doobie Brothers was the first concert I ever went to when I was 16. I remember the warm up band was ZZ Top. They were both amazing! One of the best concerts in my life.
One word- smoove.
In the studio he could have doubled his voice along with harmonies.
A unique and resonant voice like no other. Beyond fabulous. ❤
DON'T FORGET.....These guys sang LIVE like this.
I've met Michael McDonald while working at a Radisson Suites Hotel as night manager. He is so chill and is a very nice person. This was back in the early 90s when he said he was working on a project with Anita Baker. Please listen to "It keeps you Runnin" Listen to the lyrics. ❤
I got to meet him, too. He is a sweet guy! ❤
@@NoCanDu 😎👍
Their first lead singer was Tom Johnston. He was good as well. I was lucky to see the group play with both Michael and Tom together. What an experience. You will flip over Jesus is Just Alright With Me and China Grove.
This is what you would call a ROLLING TRACK and the ROLLING ON THIS TRACK IS RELENTLESSNESSES in SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AND Blissful way = EARGASM..
It’s a beautiful song. The chorus just soars to sublime heights.
Easy word “Soul” ❤what makes a good song great? Soul!!!♥️
Back then when you roll the joint, it was also called a Doobie. Hence the Doobie Brothers
yip in my teens we had a big doobie family. :)
Minute by minute. Legendary ❤️
You are right about the second word for doobie. They said they smoked so much they might as well call themselves the Doobie Brothers. They had another lead singer before Micheal and they had a different sound, but I like both sounds.
Patrick Simmons.
Pat was always in the band. Tom Johnston left for a while due to health reasons. That's when Michael McDonald came in. Later on, McDonald left and Johnston returned.@@jpmnewyork
@@skevich1 You're right, of course. Got Simmons and Johnston confused.
From a Google Search: Why are The Doobie Brothers called doobie?
Behind the Band Name: The Doobie Brothers -
A friend of the band and fellow musician, Keith Rosen, is the one who suggested the name The Doobie Brothers, as the word “doobie” is a nickname for a marijuana joint that the bandmates often indulged in. Johnston admits that they couldn't come up with a band name and didn't expect Rosen's suggestion to stick.Mar 15, 2023
I heard a different narrative. They were playing outlaw biker bars and "tailored" their image to match their clientele.
I got to see the Doobie Brothers in concert around 1973. Two things that amazed me were the drummer broke a stick in the middle of a song and threw it, caught a new one and if hadn't seen, wouldn't have known it happened and a bit latter a guitarist broke a string and thew the guitar off stage and at the same time it left his hands, a new one was caught and he had it plugged in and going, again, if hadn't seen it, wouldn't have hardly known it happened, it was so fast and smooth. Those behind stage also had to be great stage hands. One thing though was they had the sound so loud that my ears rang and buzzed for a couple days, had a hard time hearing my HS teachers. I always keep some cotton to stick in my ears every concert afterward. Around a month after that concert, there was a report on the national news about how they were so loud that it was about like being something like 8 foot from a jumbo jet engine.
MM, I think he joined The Doobie Brothers around the mid-70s to do leads. One of my favourite soul singers and this song came out the same year I was born ❤
You need more Doobie Brothers! Their greatest hits album has been a top seller for years. Black Water, Taking It To The Street and pretty much everything else on that album are tight harmonies and great musicianship. You can't go wrong on this rabbit hole.
Butter
"SOUL!!!"🎶
The melody, rhythm and harmonies are so addictive that the lyrics sometimes get lost, but they are incredibly good!
Enjoyed your take on it.. heard it first time 'round and still listen to him, and the Doobie Brothers. I'd love to see what you like posted in your review style. My love for music spans decades.
SOULFUL 🎷
I asked ChatGPT. She said: Michael McDonald is a highly distinctive and accomplished vocalist known for his soulful and raspy voice. His singing style is often characterized by a smooth and rich tone, with a notable ability to convey emotion and depth in his performances. McDonald's voice has a unique timbre, featuring a combination of warmth and grit that sets him apart in the realm of blue-eyed soul and R&B.
His vocal range allows him to navigate through various octaves effortlessly, and he often incorporates soulful inflections and nuanced phrasing into his singing. McDonald gained prominence as a member of the Doobie Brothers, contributing significantly to their sound with his soulful lead vocals and background harmonies. Over the years, he has also enjoyed a successful solo career, showcasing his versatile voice in a variety of musical genres, including rock, pop, and rhythm and blues. Overall, Michael McDonald's voice is distinctive, soulful, and instantly recognizable.
Rich is a great word.
Raspy is another.
Blue-eyed soul.
I’m really surprised I haven’t seen this posted yet, but this is how we White people would refer to a lot of voices and sounds very similar.
Like Hall & Oates, for example. It used to floor the Black folks in school when we insisted H&O and Mike McD were white.
‘Nu-uh! No white boys sound like that!’ They went home, turned on MTV, and came to school the next day with their proverbial tails between their legs. Whoops.
George Michael is another fantastic example of Blue-eyed soul. This may be heresy to some, and that’s fine, but his version of ‘Papa was a Rolling Stone’ is actually the one I like the best. 🤷🏻♀️
Soulful. Captivating.
Love watching you hear this for the first time, super cool experience for those of us who’ve been living this song and the Doobies’ music for 45 years.
The doobies… 😉😊🥳
The word for his voice is
Soulful
The Doobie Brothers are an amazing band.
“ Taking It to the Streets” live- is McDonald’s gospel Civil Rights anthem. ❤And he also wrote What A Fool Believes with the great Kenny Loggins.
Watch him and Kenny doing it LIVE.
MIKE’s voice to me is SMOOTH and ROUGH rolled into one sexay package!
Watching Kenny and Mike do it live on Soundstage I can hear so much more of Mike’s harmonizing - as opposed to his recording with The Doobie Brothers where everything is Mike’s voice layered in.
The 14-15 minute clip on YT of Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald at Soundstage in 2017 is really something. The three songs Kenny and Mike co-wrote together and them singing live. Tight as hell and not an autotune in sight! (Plus Kenny’s band and backup singers are really, really great and they look like they’re having fun!) The whole show is worth a watch, even if you’re not a huge KL fan. You’ll probably know more than you think.
The Doobie Brothers came before Michael. They have a great number of hits before, during and after Michael joined them. Like other posters suggested, try Black Water. Then listen to Long Train Running, Jesus is Just Alright, Take Me in Your Arms, China Grove and Listen to the Music for starters.
Born in 1971, We had GREAT MUSIC to listen to!
From the Doobie Brothers, The Commodores,James Ingram, Switch,Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Journey (Steve Perry), James Taylor, The Eagles, Player, Hall and Oats,Fleetwood Mac,....
Too many others to list!
Air Supply, REO Speedwagon, Chicago,Santana, TOTO, and STILL many others,lol!❤ 💯
Thanks!
It keeps you Running is one of his vocal masterpieces
Smooooooth
Fantabulous!
In give you 3 words, can't come up with one word. Blue Eyed Soul...
Michael McDonald joined and took over lead vocals for an already well established band when the original singer and founder Tom Johnston ended up in the hospital and nearly died from stomach ulcers. Tom and fellow founder Pat Simmons were the original Doobie Brothers and named that because of their love of smoking doobies. They still tour today, Michael McDonald is with them and they all still sound great!
The lyrics! Heart wrenching. One has moved on, the other hasn’t so much.
Top 10 covers ever. This is a Kenny Loggin’s song.
Edit: the one word to describe Michael McDonald’s voice: Frosting.
The song was co-written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins.
Word "Phenomenal" voice and they also vocally ONLY grouo REMOTELY simolar id say is yhe Bee Gees with the falcetos. - "Long Train Running" NEXT from them!! Fantastic tune! One of my all time favourite ones for bringing back memories as a kid as my old man loved the Doobie Brothers back then! 👍🏴🇬🇧
Oh goddamn The Bee Gees! Nobody sings - or writes - like Sir Barry Gibb!
So many bands from the 70's had outstanding vocals & harmonized seamlessly.
His voice is both "rich" & "soulful" to me. Like the perfect cake frosting. 😜
The word for the Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald is 'SMOOTH".
Ok Brit, I’ll take a shot. Earthy.
The super talented Michael McDonald ❤❤
Hypnotic
Doobies are my guys. I've been jamming to their music since the 70s. They are fabulous in concert
This is so very awesome. Doobie Brothers were icons! Love your reaction! ♥
You gotta know what a doobie is....!!!!
It's an ancient Asian saying that came long before Nike ever existed;
"Doo...Bie!" - Ancient Asian Wiseman 🧘🏻♂
Then came;
"I think therefore I am"
"Just Do it!"
Saw the reunion of The Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald 2 years ago at PNC. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen! All members in or near their 70’s and sounded amazing. Absolutely incredible.
You got it! Michael McDonald's voice stands out on its own, but whenever he sings with anyone else it's so inviting that they welcome his voice in to blend into theirs. For instance, when he sang with Patti LaBelle on "On My Own" we all knew that Patti's voice can be overwhelming, but when Michael McDonald sang with her, we could hear her almost instinctually pull her voice back so that his voice could blend with hers.
And as much as they probably hate to hear it, this is why men like Michael McDonald, Michael Bolton, John Oates and oddly enough (even though he seemed to take issue w/ brown people), Phil Collins' music were labeled "Blue-eyed' soul.
His soul is velvet.. So is his voice❤
Gosebumps man...after all these years. Saw the Doobies/Michael McDonald back in the late '70's. Wonderful concert.