Search - Doobie Brothers :: Livin on the Fault Line

Finally a worthy edition of this milestone record. You shoul

Andre Heeger | Germany | 07/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The best West Coast sound ever, if you ask me.

I think I know about every note on this album. I went through three lp copies before cd's came out. Then I bought the first Warner cd. Flat!

But now it is here, the cover beautifully reproduced, just as it came out (well, smaller..), the embossed cover sleeve, the color photography inside, it's all there.



But what of course hit me most: the music. Fabulously remastered like it should have been done right from the start. Snares cutting, bass humming and popping, guitars sliding and picking, vocals soothing and yearning, keys oooh



The band? Needs no explaining I think.

But here we go anyhow. The Doobie Brothers were a great band from the start, their West Coast Rock and Roll sound unique in its own way. Their biggest hit Listen to the Music is probably in everybody's mind.

But with the addition of Michael McDonald on keys on their previous album Takin' it to the Streets the group got jazzier, and the r&b influences got stronger.

Here, again produced by Ted Templeman, the band grows into perfection. The Doobie Brothers had created their own special blend: genious!

The playing is so tight (with two drummers), the song writing top notch, with every single member hitting his peak. Michael's voice fits perfectly to the new sound. But of course Pat Simmons is fantastic too, as are the others. Guitars? Check out 'Skunk' Baxter!



The Band:

Pat Simmons guitars and vocals

Michael McDonald keys and vocals

Jeff Baxter guitars

Tom Johnston guitars and vocals

Tiran Porter bass and vocals

Keith Knudson drums and vocals

John Hartman drums



Guests:

Bobby LaKind congas and vocals

Dan Armstrong electric guitar

Norton Buffalo harmonica

Victor Feldman vibes

Rosemary Butler and Maureen McDonald backing vocals



The songs:

You're Made That Way

Echoes of Love

Little Darling (I Need You)

You Belong to Me

Livin' on the Fault Line

Nothin' But a Heartache

Chinatown

There's a Light

Need a Lady

Larry the Logger Two Step



As you probably know they went to super stardom with their next album Minute by Minute which had What a Fool Believes. It is of course a marvel in its own right. But if you ask me, I'll stick to this one as a first choice (after which you should get them all...). Its marvelous blend of Jazz, R&B, Rock and Roll and more never shone brighter under the Californian sun.



One more thing: take a look at the great cover photography and the marvelous idea behind creating a different image through the music

"

Is MOR&B a bad thing?

P. Cicchetti | Arlington, VA United States | 03/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I read a lukewarm review of Living On The Fault Line where the reviewer described the sound of the album as MOR&B - Middle of the Road/Rhythm and Blues. Maybe so, but that sound is perfected on this album! I listen to punk, jazz and everything in between, and this is one of my favorite albums of all time. It is the Michael McDonald show, but there are also interesting instrumental flourishes by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and the other band members on many of the tracks."

Mike McDonald Doobies

A. Twillie | Chicago, IL. USA | 05/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While this piece did not rate the critical acclaim that was accorded Minute By Minute, in many ways it is a better expression of The Doobie Brothers with McDonald as the front man for the band. His soulfull vocals coupled with Snake Baxter's guitar licks and the dual drummers layering the back beat make this an intriguing listen throughout. Besides, how many knew this is where Carly Simon got her hit "You Belong To Me" from?"