Doobie Brothers Tour 2010

[billfleck]

So I checked out the Doobies/former dayjob show in Saratoga Springs, NY on 7/3/2010. Gotta recommend the Doobies this year for sure.

The Doobs opened with a couple of subs--Skylark (on bass) wasn't there (John Cowan, their bass player in the early 90's ably stepped in), and one of their two drummers was also a sub (for Michael Hossack). They did a couple of new tunes from a CD they say is coming in September (both good), plus a few obscure cuts from "The Captain and Me" and "Toulouse Street" in addition to the standards--"China Grove," "Long Train Runnin'," "Black Water," etc. They sounded great. There were some sound issues at the venue, and it seemed like the Doobs blew an amp...they also had some trouble getting into the 3/4 section on "Jesus Is Just Alright," but the harmonies were tight, the guitar solos were rippin', the lead vocals were quite good, and they had a lot of energy. My wife and I had seats in the 8th row (thanks to being in the former dayjob Geek...er, FAN club), and Tom Johnston in particular--looking tanned and fit--was his fired-up self, stomping around on the stage, virtually intimidating the crowd into standing O's.

The encore, of course, was the highlight--"Rockin' Down the Highway," "Free," "Listen to the Music," "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is," "Takin' It To the Streets," "25 or 6 to 4" -- both bands on stage, high-fivin', havin' fun. Marc Russo's (nee Sons Of Champlin) alto solo on "Free" was excellent. There were also some funny moments when a certain trombone player eyed Doobie's keyboardist Guy Allison--who doubles Russo's sax lines all night for a fatter sound--and playfully waved him off, as if to say, "We don't need your help now--just let the f****n' horns play!"

If I may, I'd like to mention something of a personal nature: while "Make Me Smile" sounded good, a certain vocalist we all know was very much missed...My wife, who isn't up on all of these things, said, "Who the hell is THAT?" when the vocals began--proof positive that the gap hasn't entirely been filled.

That said, I look forward to the Doobies' new CD in September.

FWIW,
Bill F.