Search - Doobie Brothers :: Rockin Down the Highway

The Gentlemen of Southern Rock in Concert

Richard Ballard | United States | 02/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I consider three 1970's groups (Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Doobie Brothers) the originators of Southern rock. The Doobie Brothers were the gentlemen of Southern rock. These gentlemen's personalities shine in "Rockin' Down The Highway: The Wildlife Concert", a recording of an extremely fun, happy, and energetic 1996 concert for the Wildlife Conservation Society. The Doobie Brothers' support for the Wildlife Conservation Society is appropriate. Nearly twenty-five years after their first recording, The Doobie Brothers still are rockin' down the highway and their wild life continues. That's an extremely long playing record!This excellent recording presents The Doobie Brothers' lyrics more clearly than some of their studio recordings. Two selections: 'China Grove' (with its outstanding guitar solos) and 'Listen To The Music' (a great concert arrangement) are examples of Southern rock's best. Another 8 selections are particularly outstanding. 'Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)', 'Minute By Minute', and 'What A Fool Believes' feature Michael McDonald's outstanding vocals. 'Takin' It To The Streets' features saxophone solos and Michael McDonald vocals. 'Slow Burn', 'The Doctor', & 'Without You' feature outstanding guitar solos. 'Excited' features vocal and guitar solos plus a rolling arrangement reminiscent of "The Lizzies" scene in the 1979 Michael Beck cult movie "The Warriors".The Doobie Brothers have polished their artistry and style for over twenty-five years. That artistry and style shines in "Rockin' Down The Highway: The Wildlife Concert". I recommend this fun live recording both for Doobie Brothers fans and also for those unfamiliar with The Doobie Brothers' music."

For hardcare Doobie fans

DM | 02/03/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you want one Doobie Brothers live album, get WOLF TRAP.



If you want two Doobie Brothers live albums (and aren't exclusively a Johnston-era fan), get WOLF TRAP and FAREWELL TOUR.



If you're enough of a fan that you're thinking of getting all of their live albums, don't hesitate to check out this one! (But DON'T get the one that's just a one-disc version of this; contrary to what the AMG review says, it has nothing that's not on this set.)



Michael MacDonald shows up in three places on this album, singing the songs he's best known for. But these sound out of place here. No, this album is about the Tom Johnston version of the Doobies.



If you have (and enjoy) the other two live albums, you may consider some of the tracks on this album to be redundant and non-essential. The MacDonald tracks, in particular, add nothing to the FAREWELL TOUR versions of the same. But there is enough worthwhile stuff here to make up for that. Besides several songs that aren't on the other live albums, you have the best live versions of songs such as "Dangerous" and "Clear As The Driven Snow." "Without You" is highly different from the original studio version, and "China Grove" has an instrumental intro not heard elsewhere. As with FAREWELL TOUR there are two new songs: "Slow Burn" and "Wild Ride." Both are excellent, and the latter is my favorite track on the set.

"

A music fan from Illionois

Richard Ballard | 04/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Saw the Doobies Labor Day 1999 at a festival. Found this CD to be on par with that concert. This CD captures all the musical excitement that a festival setting can give. I recommend this CD to any Doobies fan or fan of music from the 70's."