Livin' on the Fault Line

Two fantastic albums from the Michael McDonald years with The Doobie Brothers – beautifully musical and beautifully produced – 1977's overlooked "Livin' On A Fault Line" and the award-winning goliath that was 1978's "Minute By Minute". Both albums are chockfull of musical goodies and Soul-Rock moments. Here are the 'Echoes Of Love'...UK released Monday 26 September 2011 (4 Oct 2011 in the USA) – "Livin' On A Fault Line/Minute By Minute" by THE DOOBIE BROTHERS on Edsel EDSD 2107 (Barcode 740155210731) offers two albums onto 2CDs (with two Bonus Tracks) and breaks down as follows...Disc 1 (35:12 minutes):1. You're Made That Way2. Echoes Of Love3. Little Darlin' (I Need You)4. You Belong To Me5. Livin' On The Fault Line6. Nothing But A Heartache [Side 2]7. Chinatown8. There's A Light9. Need A Lady10. Larry The Logger Two-StepTracks 1 to 10 are their 7th studio album "Livin' On The Fault Line" (and 2nd with Michael McDonald in the line-up). It was released September 1977 on Warner Brothers K 56383 in the UK - Warner Brothers BS 3045 in the USADisc 2 (45:52 minutes):1. Here To Love You2. What A Fool Believes3. Minute By Minute4. Dependin' On You5. Don't Stop To Watch The Wheels6. Open Your Eyes [Side 2]7. Sweet Feelin'8. Steamer Lane Breakdown9. You Never Change10. How Do The Fools Survive?Tracks 1 to 10 are their 8th studio album "Minute By Minute" – a Number 1 record in the USA and a Grammy Winner in several categories. It was released December 1978 on Warner Brothers K 56486 in the UK - Warner Brothers BS 3193 in the USABONUS TRACKS:11. Here To Love You (Single Remix)12. What A Fool Believes (12" Remix)The booklet is a great deal more substantial than what’s gone before – 24-pages of original album artwork (including inner sleeves), UK and European labels pictured, the lyrics, musician credits and an informative 6-page history by ALAN ROBINSON on both albums and their impact. It’s superbly done. But the really big news is the fabulous new SOUND...I've had all 10 of the 2006 Japanese Remasters (in 5" card repro sleeves) to have the music - but here the PHIL KINRADE remaster at ALCHEMY in London is stunning and far better. The clarity is amazing. It helps of course that the original production on each album by Ted Templeman was so razor sharp in the first place (he's long been associated with the band and more famously with Van Halen).Music - when the Doobies made their tentative steps into change with "Takin' It To The Streets" in 1976 – the old Tom Johnston riffage crowd were appalled (some even riled against the new hybrid Soul/Rock sound with derogatory tee-shirts telling the band where to get off). But by the time the new line-up got to 1977 and their second album with Michael McDonald as lead vocalist (Johnston was gone by then) – the transition was complete and a different chapter truly begun.While its Number 1 follow-up "Minute By Minute" always gets the lion's share of critical plaudits (and rightly so) - I've always felt that "Livin' On The Fault Line" is a bit of a lost gem frankly – a genuinely classy Rock album with a Soulful heart. It also began the great complimentary template that made "Minute by Minute" such a satisfying listen 'overall' – Michael McDonald melodies sitting sweetly alongside Patrick Simmons and Tiran Porter songs with a bit of Keith Knudsen and Jeff Baxter thrown in for good measure too.Once again Produced by TED TEMPLEMAN and featuring string and horn arrangements by David Paich of TOTO - "Livin' On The Fault Line” opens with the gorgeous melody of "You're Made That Way" – a song co-written by McDonald with their Drummer Keith Knudsen and one-time Steely Dan guitarist Jeff Baxter. That's followed by the chipper synth-bopper "Echoes Of Love" where band founder member and Lead Guitarist Tom Johnston takes the main vocals – then matches perfectly with McDonald on the choruses. The lovely "You Belong To Me" is one of 3 McDonald songs (this one co-written with Carly Simon) – "Nothin' But A Heartache" and the beautifully mellow "There's A Light" are the other two (Norton Buffalo plays Harmonica on "There’s A Light"). There are fantastically slick-rhythms coming at you in Side 2's "Chinatown" – a Patrick Simmons song that has gorgeous musical breaks and moments. They even have a successful go at Holland-Dozier-Holland's Marvin Gaye hit on "Little Darlin' (I Love You)" – an association with 'Motown' McDonald would turn into two cover-version albums in 2003 and 2004 called (not surprisingly) "Motown" and "Motown Two". The jazzy Patrick Simmons title track "Livin' On The Fault Line" features the Vibes of Steely Dan sessionman Victor Feldman in a very "Aja" kind-of-way and sounds incredible. The LP ends with an acoustic instrumental called "Larry The Logger Two-Step" in crystal clear audio.Then comes the "Rumours" of 1978 – "Minute By Minute". Even now the opening Michael McDonald track "Here To Love You" sends chills up my arms – fantastically musical. The Grammy-winning "What A Fool Believes" (a co-write with Kenny Loggins) sounds huge and "Dependin' On You" is a brilliant hybrid of the old sound meeting the new. It's an album that still stands up and is an embarrassment of riches really. The 7" remix of "Here To Love You" (tagged on a bonus track) was originally on the "Long Train Runnin': 1970-2000" 4CD Box Set by Rhino in 1999 - while the 12" Remix of "What A Fool Believes" is a travesty best left alone.There’s no sign in this reissue campaign of 1980s "One Step Closer" (their last studio album before disbanding) or the 1983 live double "Farewell Tour" which had the exclusive "Olana" on it – maybe at a later date.So there you have it. Doobie Brothers fans have waited decades to see their band’s back catalogue on Warner Brothers be given the right reissue treatment - and England's Edsel label (who have struck a licensing deal with WEA) has done them proud.To sum up - great music that transitions from Rock to Soulful-Rock, superb remaster audio quality, really good presentation and a dirt-cheap price into the bargain (especially since those Japanese issues have become so scarce and expensive). The Doobie Brothers have always been an Ace Band and the overall quality of their albums from the 70ts still stands up big time. I’d say buy the whole damn lot frankly...PS: there are 4 releases in this series to date (all with bonus tracks):1. The Doobie Brothers (1971) / Toulouse Street (1972) on Edsel EDSD 21052. The Captain And Me (1973) / What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits (1974) on Edsel EDSD 20153. Stampede (1975) / Takin' It To The Streets (1976) on Edsel EDSD 20164. Livin' On The Fault Line (1977) / Minute By Minute (1978) on Edsel EDSD 2107

This is where The Doobie Brothers totally effect the change from guitar-driven riff rockers to purveyors of sophisticated, soulful and slick rhythm and blues flavoured rock. The key of course was the introduction of vocalist / keyboard player Michael McDonald, owner of one of the most appealing blue-eyed soul voices of the last forty years. Another key feature in the bands' successful change of style is the magisterial guitar playing of Jeff Baxter, who is in imperious form.Other reviewers have praised the quality of the Edsel remasters, and that certainly applies here, the dynamic range and instrumental reproduction revealing new layers of lustre to this magnificent pairing of Doobie-ous delight. Great Sleeve Notes, too.

Minute By Minute again is one of the great albums.........Refer my review of double CD release by Edsel of "Captain and Me/What Were .."If you love the best and fullest sound production then check out the Japanese SHM-CD versions - they are superior to the Edsel release series - honestly!Cheers PK

I'm listening to the "Fault Line " as i'm writing this and it's a very under rated album which hasn't been available in the UK for the last 20 years or so. Mike McDonald really comes to the forefront and has transformed the style of the band. Listen to the track "Nothing but a heartache" and like me you wonder why this wasn't a hit almost 40 years ago, Minute by Minute was a highly acclaimed album and rightly so. There are some gems on there as well which never made it to a single, pity. A fantastic addition to my collection.

Very different artists blending their unique styles. . The major talents here produce some very classy tracks. Tracks which are well recorded, doesn't at all sound dated and stands the test of time.

I bought this album to replace the LP I had for the Doobie Brothers. It's a real golden album, very easy listening. The case if brilliant, because it comes in a paper slip, inside a card case, just like the records did. Very nostalgic.

there are remasters and there are remasters this is a remaster!! definite improvement on sound and worthy of buying for this reason only good notes a job done well

thank you