The Doobie Brothers - Rockin Down the Highway: The Wildlife Concert

The Doobie Brothers is a eclectic collection of superb musicians who get together from time to time and play the widest variety of music of any band in history - with the possible exception of the Beatles. But while the Beatles played tributes to early American rock and roll, the Doobie Brothers cover the modern era from motown to to Hawaiian, with special emphasis on outstanding saxaphone, guitar, and percussion.This album has some of the best of the Doobies, captured in the sterile environment of a studio in New York - and there have been some criticisms of the audience and the environment, and there's no question but that there is a difference in the feel and emotion that comes from a small studio audience compared to the stadium size audience at Wolf Trap. But the music, and the talent, are top notch - and it captures the widest variety of Doobie talent, since it includes Michael McDonald.The technology used in this mid 90's video is not up to the standards of the Wolf Trap video, and you have to make sure you have a fast DVD player to get the music synched to the video. In Wolf Trap the editor had tools that made it possible to jump cut perfectly in synch with the music - and the video cuts are done in perfect rhythm with the drums and the guitar notes - making for a visually and audibly satisfying experience that is not quite captured in this video. But any criticism of the venue or the audience in this video misses the mark - this is a rare glimpse indeed into a happy moment in American musical history when great musical talent came together with extraordinary arrangements. The Doobies play a wide variety of musical styles - with energy and enthisiasm that puts a smile on the faces in the crowd. My advice is get this DVD, also get the wolf trap video, and also get the audio cd's of each of these CD's, as well as the Best of the Doobies audio CD's so you can hear the studio versions of the live performances. The closest thing that compares to seeing the Doobie Brothers in these videos, was the moment nearly 20 years ago when Michael Jordan and Charles Barkely, playing in the NBA championship game, were caught by the TV camera, looking at one another and smiling from ear to ear, laughing really, revelling in the glory of the moment, of being at the top of their game on top of the world. This video has some of that spirit, less than the Wolf Trap video, but enough to make it worthwhile.

I had to revise my review after reading the "Lame Audience Ruins the Show" review. While I agree the audience is lame, I don't believe this fact by itself ruins the show. While the overall energy level of the musicians is definately affected by the (mostly seated) stuffed shirt audience, I still highly recommend this DVD to anyone who likes the Doobies. The bottom line is that the positives far outweigh the one negative in this otherwise excellent performance.This DVD is a Wildlife Preservation Society benefit concert originally recorded for a television broadcast in 1996. The Doobies have had many different lineups through the years. But with Tom Johnson, Pat Simmons, and Michael McDonald appearing together in this concert - all the songs are sung by the original recording vocalists! The one exception to this is that Tiran Porter was not there to sing the "Jesus, he's my friend" break in Jesus Is Just Alright. However, Corneius Bumpus does an excellent job filling in for him.There is a menu option to bypass the musician interviews that occur between some of the songs. When played this way the transition from one song to the next is a bit abrupt. But that's just a minor annoyance, I'm really glad they included this option. And when played with interview segments included, they don't actually cut into the middle of songs like I've seen happen on other concert videos (Allman Brothers at Great Woods, for instance).Sound quality is excellent and video quality is excellent too.Doobie Brothers lineup: Tom Johnson, Pat Simmons, Micheal McDonald, Keith Knudsen, Mike Hossack, John McFee, Skylark, Dale Ockerman, Danny Hill.Additional musicians: Corneius Bumpus, Carlos Guaico, Buck Johnson, Guy Allison.Tracklist:DangerousJesus Is Just AlrightRockin' Down The HighwaySlack Key Soquel RagSouth City Midnight LadyClear As The Driven SnowExcitedTakin' It To The StreetsMinute By MinuteWhat A Fool BelievesBlack WaterNeal's FandangoWild RideThe DoctorSlow BurnTake Me In Your ArmsWithout YouLong Train Runnin'China GroveListen To The Music

Classic music from a Band that's been around for a long time. Good DVD production and sound.

The very minor niggle is the abrupt mid-video switch to a three-song set recorded in Nashville featuring Michael McDonald in the middle of a concert filmed in New York. Apart from that, if you're a Doobie Brothers fan, this video is everything you could possibly wish for. It was recorded at the "Wildlife" concert in New York (1996) before a relatively small house, and is a perfect example of the Doobies at their very best. They mostly perform songs from their early albums, interspersed with a few more recent numbers, and the result is nothing short of Doobies nirvana. Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston have lost none of their magic with the passing of years, and the reappearance of the versatile John McFee (guitar, pedal steel guitar, slide guitar, violin and vocals) after an 11-year absence from the band adds to the magic. Among the performers are the gifted Cornelius Bumpus (saxes, flute, keyboards and vocals) and Danny Hull (saxes, harmonica, congas and vocals). If you want to hear as tight a rock band as you could possibly hope to hear, these guys are it. The musicianship and vocals from all concerned are top-notch, and the guys have clearly lost none of their passion for what they do. About halfway through the video however the action detours to Nashville for a three-number set with Michael McDonald, which I felt broke up the continuity of the New York show. To be sure, McDonald is a highly talented performer, but I feel that it would have been a more immersive experience without the sudden venue shift (the video switches back to the New York venue after McDonald's set). Still, if you're a DB fan, I highly recommend this video. The McDonald segment aside (and it certainly isn't bad, just misplaced), you won't be disappointed. The camera work is excellent, and the sound quality is crisp and clear, as is the video. A must-have for Doobies fans.

Great concert with the Doobie Brothers playing all their hits. Image quality is good although it is obvious this was taken from an older recording. Their enthusiasm on the recording was infectious. Well worth buying.

Tout le monde connaît The DOOBIE BROTHERS, ne serait-ce que par le méga-hit "Long Train Runnin' ". Fondée en 1970 par 4 musiciens, cette formation californienne de rock-blues-country (et même cajun, sur certains morceaux), sortit son premier album en 1971. 25 ans plus tard, après de nombreux changement de line-up, une dissolution et une re-formation, restaient sur la scène de ce DVD uniquement 2 des membres fondateurs : les guitaristes/chanteurs Tom Johnston et Patrick Simmons. En 1996 donc, les caméras "surprenaient" ce concert, donné dans une salle de New-York City, où le public est assis. Je vous rassure, il ne mettra pas longtemps avant de se lever et danser !!!Tom Johnston est LA VOIX des Doobie Brothers. Bon nombre de vieux morceaux ("Take Me In Your Arms", "Long Train Runnin'", "China Grove", "Listen To The Music",...) sont chantés par lui, ainsi que les 2 morceaux issus de l'excellent album  Cycles  (1989). Cet opus marquera d'ailleurs un double retour: celui du groupe d'abord, après un silence studio de 9 ans, et celui de Tom Johnston justement, qui, pour cause de maladie grave dès 1975, dû quitter le groupe en 1977.Son remplaçant est le chanteur/compositeur/claviériste Michael McDonald. Il réalisera 4 albums entre 1976 et 1980 (ceux qui eurent le plus de succès commercial !), et restera dans le groupe jusqu'à sa dissolution, en 1982. Depuis, le groupe entretien de bonnes relations avec lui, et l'invite régulièrement à les rejoindre sur scène, comme en témoignent ces 3 morceaux issus d'un autre concert (enregistré à Nashville) en plein milieu du DVD...Seulement voilà...Michael McDonald ne fait pas du DOOBIE BROTHERS. Non. Michael McDonald fait du... Michael McDonald. Son timbre de voix si particulier diffère carrément de celui de Johnston ou même de Pat Simmons, et devient irritant au bout de 30 secondes. Les choeurs en voix faussées de "What A Fool Believes" : quelle horreur ! Surtout, ses compositions, basées sur le piano ou les claviers, "jurent" comparées aux morceaux des 2 co-fondateurs, qui sont des guitaristes. Excellent sous son propre nom, il sortira son premier album solo en 1982,  If that's what it takes  (avec Jeff Porcaro et Steve Gadd à la batterie), duquel sera tiré le hit "I Keep Forgettin' " (repris par des rappeurs 20 ans plus tard). Mais avec DOOBIE, pour moi ça ne colle pas...Passé ces 3 morceaux, on retourne vite sur la scène de New-York.Coté choeurs, pas moins de 9 musiciens équipés d'un micro ! Les voix peuvent sonner, et la voix principale est bien soutenue !!! "Black Water" est un régal !Le bassiste déborde d'énergie (communicative), John McFee et Danny Hull sont des multi-instrumentistes extrêmement talentueux, et on notera la présence de Cornelius Bumpus (au sax, à la flûte traversière, au clavier et "on vocals"), aujourd'hui décédé, qui a collaboré avec STEELY DAN.Seule la présence de 2 batteurs semble superflue, les parties jouées étant quasiment les mêmes. Surtout que leur complicité consiste à... jouer ensemble, point barre. Aucun regard, aucun sourire, tout au moins dans le champ des caméras. Seul Mike Hossak, grâce à ses pads électroniques, peut déclencher des sons différents dans "South City Midnight Lady" et l'intro de "China Grove"... Ceci dit, le duo de batterie dans "Long Train Runnin'" est quand même très sympa, surtout qu'un gars muni d'un manche avec 4 cordes ne va pas tarder à les rejoindre, pour slapper comme un fou-furieux !!!Ce concert existe en double CD. Les morceaux n'y sont pas enchaînés dans le même ordre. Mais surtout, on compte 24 morceaux sur les 2 CD, contre seulement 20 pour le DVD. Alors, soit le CD est un mix de plusieurs concerts (à la même époque, ou bien à des époques différentes...?), soit le DVD est incomplet. Je pencherai hélas pour cette dernière solution... Dommage, 3 des 4 titres manquants sont des vieux morceaux de 1973 et 1974 !!!Et bien, quand même... ce concert est exceptionnel : de groove, d'énergie, de souvenirs, bref, DE PLAISIR. N'est-ce pas ce que l'on demande, lorsqu'on regarde un DVD d'un groupe que l'on aime bien ???So...See you soon, and...LONG DOOBIE RUNNIN' !!! ;-) CyclesIf that's what it takes

Du blues rock comme on aime .Pour passionnés des 70's

I picked up the farewell show from 82 on DVD last month and was impressed but not blown away. The band was super tight and the songs sounded great but the spark was missing from some of the performances. It also focused more on the Michael MacDonald period of the band. With only one song with Tom Johnston. This recorded almost 15 years later has all the energy of a band at the beginning of their career. How the Doobie's pull that off I don't know but they do. The songs again here are tight but with a fire in them still. Great set list and excellent sound (but no DTS mix just Dolby Digital). It was shot in studio so the picture is amazing. I have not checked out the third Doobie Brother's DVD that is out yet but out of the two I own this is the one to get. The Michael MacDonald years are represented with a mini set in the middle whith MacDonald joining the band for that periods hits. I am not knocking MacDonald it just comes down to taste and I tend to favor the early years. But love tracks like Takin' It To The Streets. If you are a fan of the Doobie's and want a DVD of them or you are like me and new to the party I think you will be happy you picked this up!