The Doobie Brothers - Livin' on the Fault Line

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

Finally a worthy edition of this milestone record. You should have this!

The best West Coast sound ever, if you ask me.
I think I know about every note on this album. I went through three lp copies before cd's came out. Then I bought the first Warner cd. Flat!
But now it is here, the cover beautifully reproduced, just as it came out (well, smaller..), the embossed cover sleeve, the color photography inside, it's all there.

But what of course hit me most: the music. Fabulously remastered like it should have been done right from the start. Snares cutting, bass humming and popping, guitars sliding and picking, vocals soothing and yearning, keys oooh

The band? Needs no explaining I think.
But here we go anyhow. The Doobie Brothers were a great band from the start, their West Coast Rock and Roll sound unique in its own way. Their biggest hit Listen to the Music is probably in everybody's mind.
But with the addition of Michael McDonald on keys on their previous album Takin' it to the Streets the group got jazzier, and the r&b influences got stronger.
Here, again produced by Ted Templeman, the band grows into perfection. The Doobie Brothers had created their own special blend: genious!
The playing is so tight (with two drummers), the song writing top notch, with every single member hitting his peak. Michael's voice fits perfectly to the new sound. But of course Pat Simmons is fantastic too, as are the others. Guitars? Check out 'Skunk' Baxter!

The Band:
Pat Simmons guitars and vocals
Michael McDonald keys and vocals
Jeff Baxter guitars
Tom Johnston guitars and vocals
Tiran Porter bass and vocals
Keith Knudson drums and vocals
John Hartman drums

Guests:
Bobby LaKind congas and vocals
Dan Armstrong electric guitar
Norton Buffalo harmonica
Victor Feldman vibes
Rosemary Butler and Maureen McDonald backing vocals

The songs:
You're Made That Way
Echoes of Love
Little Darling (I Need You)
You Belong to Me
Livin' on the Fault Line
Nothin' But a Heartache
Chinatown
There's a Light
Need a Lady
Larry the Logger Two Step

As you probably know they went to super stardom with their next album Minute by Minute which had What a Fool Believes. It is of course a marvel in its own right. But if you ask me, I'll stick to this one as a first choice (after which you should get them all...). Its marvelous blend of Jazz, R&B, Rock and Roll and more never shone brighter under the Californian sun.

One more thing: take a look at the great cover photography and the marvelous idea behind creating a different image through the music
July 1, 2008

Is MOR&B a bad thing?

I read a lukewarm review of Living On The Fault Line where the reviewer described the sound of the album as MOR&B - Middle of the Road/Rhythm and Blues. Maybe so, but that sound is perfected on this album! I listen to punk, jazz and everything in between, and this is one of my favorite albums of all time. It is the Michael McDonald show, but there are also interesting instrumental flourishes by Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and the other band members on many of the tracks. March 18, 2008

Mike McDonald Doobies

While this piece did not rate the critical acclaim that was accorded Minute By Minute, in many ways it is a better expression of The Doobie Brothers with McDonald as the front man for the band. His soulfull vocals coupled with Snake Baxter's guitar licks and the dual drummers layering the back beat make this an intriguing listen throughout. Besides, how many knew this is where Carly Simon got her hit "You Belong To Me" from? May 16, 2007

GREAT ALBUM, BUT YOU'RE BUYING THE WRONG VERSION!

The Japanese imports of the Doobie catalog are remastered.

Warner Brothers here in the U.S. is still selling the old LP-EQ'd, terrible-sounding masters they released on CD in 1990.

If you love these albums, get a set of the Japanese editions. They cost more, but they're worth it.

Here is the link to the Japanese remaster of Livin' on the Fault Line. July 16, 2006

Soulful Gem

A personal favorite of mine. Very tight, very smooth and very soulful. This album really brings out the best in McDonald's 'blue-eyed soul.' Great vocals and very tight production with beautiful guitar riffs, and subtle horns. You Belong To Me, You're Made That Way and Nothin' But A Heartache stand out and they're the type of songs that you need to listen to a few times to pick up the raw emotions, desperate lyrics and beautiful melodies. Top notch production and except for Larry the Logger Two Step, each song is solid. Some people may think this a bit too slick of an album, but it's always had a way of getting to me. An essential. June 24, 2006

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