Syracuse, N.Y. — With pandemic restrictions easing after two long years, the Doobie Brothers are finally able to tour again and celebrate their 2020 induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame with fans.
That tour made a stop at the St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater in Syracuse on Sunday, June 19.
It has been half a century since The Doobie Brothers’ “Listen To The Music” became a rock radio staple.
Founding member Tom Johnston favors rock and R&B (the Stax sound of Memphis) while Patrick Simmons’ finger picking finesse taps into his country music appreciation. They were joined Sunday by the “new guy,” 42-year band member John McFee, who is adept with almost any instrument with strings, including the fiddle. For this 50th anniversary tour, Michael McDonald rejoined the band after a 25-year absence.
The enthusiasm was evident, they wasted no time tapping into their deep album catalog during their two-hour, 10-minute set. They led off with “Nobody,” a Johnston song re-visited 40 years after appearing on their 1970 debut album, followed by Motown cover “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me),” “Here to Love You,” “Dependin’ On You,” and a cranking version of “Rockin’ Down The Highway.” They revisited the funky “Eyes Of Silver” which hadn’t been a regular on set lists.
Simmons introduced two of his penned favorites from their third album “The Captain And Me;” “South City Midnight Lady” with John McFee on pedal steel guitar and Marc Russo’s sax solo, which was followed by his self-described psychedelic “Clear as the Driven Snow,” both songs inspired by his Pacific Northwest roots.
Still able to hit most of his high notes, McDonald’s soaring, soulful voice shined through “It Keeps You Running,” “What A Fool Believes” (co-written with Kenny Loggins), “Minute By Minute” and “You Belong To Me.” Again, Russo (a founding member of the jazz group Yellowjackets) adding the sweet touch of saxophone to back up the multi-part vocal harmony of “Real Love,” from their 1980 album “One Step Closer.”
During the pandemic down time, the band recorded a new album, “Liberté,” likely inspired by memories of their old California haunt, The Chateau Liberté. They offered “Don’t Ya Mess With Me,” “Easy” and Simmons’ “Better Days,” a song he pointed out is not a reflection of the past but rather the present. Their new songs were received well.
Highlights of the evening included their cover of the Art Reynolds gospel gem, “Jesus Is Just Alright,” along with hard rockers “China Grove” and “Without You.” One standout performance of the night was the title track of their 2010 album “World Gone Crazy.” Tom Johnston clearly hasn’t lost his guitar skills or his commanding voice, his
vocals sounding very close to the recorded version. John Cowan (bass, vocals) and Ed Toth (drums) have held the steady rhythm for many years while Marc Quiñones (percussion) added extra punch for this tour.
Their three-song encore featured “Black Water,” their first No. 1 hit (1974) and a powerful version of “Taking It To The Street” before closing with the audience singing along to their most recognizable hit, “Listen To The Music.”
Fifty years after the Northern California based, long-haired rockers assembled, the band continues to meld their unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll mixed with R&B, blues, country and bluegrass.
The Doobies have now joined the rarified ranks of bands still touring after half a century. Many older fans still think of the Doobies as a band with two camps; the rocker Johnston led camp or the jazzy, soul inspired McDonald led camp. No worries, around 7,000 attendees had all the lead singers of their favorite songs present and in good vocal form, ready to rock and visibly having a great time doing so.
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