Limited Edition European pressing of this album comes house in a miniature LP sleeve. WEA. 2006. Album Description
 |  | TAKIN' IT TO A DIFFERENT LEVEL ! (The Doobies introduce soul, jazz, and R&B to their sound) |  |
Takin' It to the Streets (1976) was The Doobie Brothers' sixth album, and their first with blue-eyed soulster Michael McDonald on vocals. McDonald's soulful interpretations are expressive and convincing, and his songs here are the album's high points. The great rock n' soul politics of the title track, the ever so true and irresistible It Keeps You Runnin', and the quiet and thoughtful The Losin' End are all very good. Co-founder and lead singer Tom Johnston, who had recently left the band for health reasons, contributes his rocker Turn It Loose and co-lead vocals on Wheels Of Fortune, both of which are solid selections. Both songs also have that classic Doobie Brothers sound. Long-time Doobie Patrick Simmons steps up to write or co-write four of the albums nine songs. His 8th Avenue Shuffle is a smooth and funky souljam. Blues singer Maria Muldaur makes a cameo appearance on Rio, a pleasantly odd cruise number (I can't help but see images of "The Love Boat" TV series when this one plays). Get Takin' It to the Streets for the title track, It Keeps You Runnin', The Losin' End, Wheels of Fortune, Turn It Loose, Carry Me Away, and 8th Avenue Shuffle. Good music for smooth, easy days and nights with a little kick to it.
December 26, 2007| | | Nice version in mini-LP sleeve even includes a vintage paper sleeve and booklet (for the Japanese version) | |
A transitional album for The Doobie Brothers, "Takin' It to the Streets" marks the rise of Michael McDonald and his blue-eyed soul smokey tenor taking its proper place in the band. It's quite a change for the band in terms of sound with the band diving into jazzy Steely Danish territory largely abandoning the sound of the previous albums. This was due to the diminished role of Tom Johnston who was sidelined with stomach ulcers. He does appear on the heartfelt rocker "Turn It Loose". McDonald, Simmons and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter dominate the rest of the album.
The weakest track is Tiran Porter's "For Someone Special" which just doesn't rise to the quality of the best songs on the album. No bonus tracks which is a disappointment given the two demos that appeared on the Doobie Brothers anthology "Long Train Runnin'".
This new edition sounds pretty good overall although a tad brighter than the previous CD, a bit louder as well but with nice detail. We get the CD in a replica of the original LP packaging right down to the paper insert that came with the album in 1976. The CD features the palm tree artwork that was a staple on almost all Warner Brothers releases at the time. The Japanese edition of the CD also features a booklet with song lyrics that appear to be pretty accurate as well as notes on the album in Japanese (no translation sadly)but no credits as to who remastered the album (or if it was remastered).
November 30, 2007 | | The Multi-Facets of the Diamond Band | |
Even though the name "Doobie Brothers" could invoke drug usage by the over-critical, few can deny the magic of their music.
A staple of mid 70's FM radio airplay, the Doobie Brothers earned a well-respective niche in rock. In this debut presentation of the talents of Michael McDonald as spokesman-singer, you hear staple songs of the Doobie's career. But more important, you hear more obscure tracks that are super-beautiful and cross the division between rock and jazz-fusion.
If you don't have this album, then get it right now!
April 14, 2007I bought this album just for the hard-to-find song "For Someone Special", which is one of their best songs, although it didn't receive a lot of air play. I got to listen to it only a couple of times before my son borrowed it, who is a 2nd-generation Doobie Brothers fan. This album has a little more soul than some of their others, and great guitars, vocals and lyrics. This album takes you back and leaves you feeling happy. I totally recommend it!
April 3, 2007 | | Fine music seriously marred by poor sonics | |
Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons have outstanding vocal talents and gave us compositions that, even after 30 years, still sound fresh. But you won't get to that conclusion by listening to this CD. While the vocal efforts here are strong, the rythms driving, and the tunes catchy, this CD sounds as if a sonic veil has been thrown over the music. Think of what you hear when listening to a recording that is being played back on speakers in another room, or the sound you would hear using the tiny speakers on, say, a 13" TV set, and you will get an idea of how badly this CD captures the band's perfomance. If you enjoy the Doobie Brothers, avoid this recording: it will only cause disappointment over a lost opportunity to appreciate some great tunes played by fine musicians.
November 5, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(23 reviews)