The Doobie Brothers Lewiston, NY 8/10/2010

[rtbuck]

The Doobie Brothers

Date: 8/10/2010
Venue: Artpark Lewiston, NY
Review by Bucky



In the mid 70’s when I was around 12 years old I was buying the latest 45’s & this is was my introduction to the Doobie Brothers with their hit from 1975 “Black Water”. Sometime in the late 70’s I caught a concert by the Doobies on PBS & loved it especially the song “China Grove”. I went out & bought ‘The Best of the Doobies’ record & ended up wearing out the grooves. The next time I saw them on TV was on an episode of “What’s Happening” in which one of the show’s main characters (Rerun) received free tickets to a sold out Doobie Brothers concert but in return he had to bootleg the show. Things went bad when he was dancing around at the end of “Takin it to the Streets” & his recorder fell out of his jacket. Fortunately all that was audible was him eating popcorn.

Last night the Doobie Brothers played a concert in Lewiston, NY & it was a phenomenal show in which they performed their standard classic hits, a few new song s from their upcoming ‘World Gone Crazy’ album, & a few songs that surprised me. The show broke all attendance records at the Artpark venue & people were still filing into the concert 8 songs into their set. The Doobies consisted of Tom Johnson(vocals/guitar), Patrick Simmons(guitars/vocals), John Mcfee(guitars/vocals), Guy Allison (Keyboards/vocals), Skylark(bass), Marc Russo(saxophone), & two drummers (Michael Hossack & Ed Toth). The band sounded great & kicked off their set with “Take Me in Your Arms” which had the crowd singing & dancing. My set list may be a little off but without stopping for a moment the band rocked out three more songs “Jesus is Just Alright”, “Dangerous”, & “Rockin’ Down the Highway”. “Dangerous” had a spectacular opening intro with Patrick Simmons & Tom Johnson jamming a bluesy riff together & then the two were joined by John Mcfee on slide guitar. After those three songs the band went back to their 1973 album ‘The Captain & Me’ album & performed “Clear as the Driven Snow” before playing their classic hit “Taking it to the Streets”. Tom Johnson told the crowd that the Doobies would be releasing a new album titled ‘World Gone Crazy’ the band proceeded to play three tracks from the upcoming album “Nobody” (The first single from the album), “World Gone Crazy”, & “Back to the Chateau”. All three songs were great but “Back to the Chateau” was the best & most rocking of the three songs. Up next was my favorite part of the performance as the band went back to their ‘Toulouse Street’ album & played a bluesy Sonnyboy Williamson track titled “Don’t Start Me Talking”(which the New York Dolls covered & also David Johansen solo covered a more bluesy version than the Dolls rocking version). The band jammed out this song with great blues style & then immediately went into Bobby Day’s “Little Bitty Pretty One”. I could just feel what song would be next so I turned to my wife & said “I guarantee you “Black Water” will be next!” which it was & the crowd kept on singing & dancing to the 1975 smash hit. They finished out their set by playing “China Grove”, “Without You”, & “Listen to the Music”. Overall, it was a spectacular show & the band sounded tight as ever & it was great hearing songs such as “Clear as the Driven Snow” & “Don’t Start Me Talking”.


Bucky

[eberg15101]

Great review as always, Bucky!

I hope they come my way, and I'm definitely psyched for the new album

[Groovy Man]

Originally Posted by rtbuck I saw them on TV was on an episode of “What’s Happening” in which one of the show’s main characters (Rerun) received free tickets to a sold out Doobie Brothers concert but in return he had to bootleg the show. Things went bad when he was dancing around at the end of “Takin it to the Streets” & his recorder fell out of his jacket. Fortunately all that was audible was him eating popcorn.

I remember that! - that was great - funny as heck!

Originally Posted by rtbuck Patrick Simmons & Tom Johnson jamming a bluesy riff together & then the two were joined by John Mcfee on slide guitar.

They're great together! Love them.

Originally Posted by rtbuck Tom Johnson told the crowd that the Doobies would be releasing a new album titled ‘World Gone Crazy’ the band proceeded to play three tracks from the upcoming album “Nobody” (The first single from the album), “World Gone Crazy”, & “Back to the Chateau”. All three songs were great but “Back to the Chateau” was the best & most rocking of the three songs.

Actually, “Nobody” is a remake of their own tune - the song appeared on their 1971 debut album - great tune.

I'm with eberg - I can't wait to hear the new album.

I seen The DOOBIES twice....they're fantastic in concert.

Excellent concert review Bucky...thanks!

[Fever]

Great review.I have seen the Doobies about 5 or 6 times.First time was back in 1978 with Ambrosia as the opening act.
Most recently I saw them opening for Bad Company

[redsoxrock67]

I've been a Doobies fan since I was 15 (1973) and i've seen them 8 times now (78, 79, 80, 89, 91, 93, 96, 2010) and I attended the Doobies show the next night - Aug 11 -at Musikfest in Bethlehem PA and though it wasn't a sell out (all seats filled but not the lawn) the show was simply awesome! I think I enjoyed this as much as my first time in '78 in Niagara Falls :-). The band sounded better than ever, the new songs sounded really good, they had incredible energy - all in all well worth the 7 hour drive by myself from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

I agree that it was nice to hear the album songs such as Clear As the Driven Snow and Without You. I'm hoping that the new album will sell well and appease the critics, and that the Doobies get the recognition they richly deserve. Pat said during the show "that we can still play" which drew a huge roar from the crowd. Hats off to them for still rocking!!!

Craig - Ottawa

[Truckin]

I wish they would play around NE Ohio. I would be there!