The Doobie Brothers - Toulouse Street

Limited Edition European pressing of this album comes house in a miniature LP sleeve. WEA. 2006. Album Description

the doobies are one of the 70's greats for a reason- this album is the reason

One of the Doobie Brothers best albums, no doubt about it. The songwriting is entirely memorable, the vocal melodies are enjoyable, and the appropriate amount of hits are featured along with the lesser known, though still equally satisfying songs (such as the tender vocals of the title song and the easy-going pleasantness of "Cotton Mouth").

The other songs are mostly hits, such as "Listen to the Music" with its immediately enjoyable upbeat verse melody, "Rockin' On Down the Highway" (one of the greatest rockers the Doobie ever made) and the *drastically* superior version of "Jesus Is Just Alright" that positively blows the Byrds version away because of the unexpected slow section the Doobies threw in near the end of it.

Overall, just what you'd expect out of the 70's rock scene, and especially the Doobie Brothers- a completely satisfying listening experience without hardly any filler to interfere with the good times. March 14, 2008

Classic Doobie Brothers album in replica of the original album sleeve

There's some debate on this but it appears that this uses the same Lee Herschberg CD masters (which sounded extremely good) as the original CDs but slightly louder. The band's second album finally delivered a hit and gave them the audience they deserved. "Listen to the Music" was the big hit from the album (although there were others such as "Rockin' Down the Highway" and the gospel standard "Jesus is Just Alright" adapted for the band's sound)and we get the unabridged, longer version here. While fans will find the highlights of this album on the Long Train Runnin': 1970-2000collection, there are some terrific cuts here that didn't make that anthology.

The packaging replicates the original gatefold sleeve of the album. Although there is no booklet included (there wasn't with the original either), we get a replica of the original inner sleeve that housed the vinyl release as well. The only drawback here is that there is no plastic sleeve to put the CD in and product it from scratching.

Personally, I would have liked some outtakes but since this is a replica of the original release the fact that they didn't include them is no surprise. There are outtakes available on "Long Train Runnin'".


This album along with "The Captain and Me" and "Stampede" features the Tom Johnston led version of the band at their peak. Those two albums along with "Toulouse Street" are the core Doobie albums with Johnston as leader. After that, I'd suggest What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits.

I'm also a fan of the Michael McDonald led era even though the band's sound changed substanially from blues-rock to blue-eyed soul with a dash of Steely Danish jazz thrown in for good measure. From the McDonald era the albums Takin' It to the Streets, Livin on the Fault Lineand Minute by Minute(the best sounding version of the album mastered by Steve Hoffman)are all terrific albums. I'd also suggest checking out Johnston's two solo albums which, although a bit inconsistent, feature his rough-edged vocals and some sharp songwriting on the best tracks. November 26, 2007

Toulouse Street

always has been good and still is after all these years. I first heard this record when I was 21 yrs. old and now I'm 56 and it is still the best October 3, 2007

Quick, Quality, Great Price

Received product within 10 days of order (10 days earlier than expected). Brand new, wrapped and enjoying every song again. Will purchase through this vendor again. Thank you. September 26, 2007

"DISCIPLE" ....the actual reason to listen to this cd

Overall, a very strong showing for this band, even 35 years later after its initial release. Ton Johnston and Patrick Simmons, guitarists for this band, are standouts throughout, however the one actually overlooked track on this cd is "DISCIPLE." With a twin guitar attack, biting vocals, and wild twin drummer syncopatic displays, this one song should convert any true guitar rock fan into the "Doobie Brothers" camp. After this 6 plus minute display of guitar/drum histrionics; the next song " Snake Man", is a eye opening acoustic foray into early - sounding Chicago blues with a Doobies' West Coast feel. A 4 star was given to this cd ony because of the strange sounding song "cotton mouth", which just seems out of place on this record. Still, a "must buy" for any rock guitar fan. July 12, 2007

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