The Doobie Brothers - Best of the Doobies

The Doobie Brothers' career is best be divided into two camps. The band originally started out as a good-time party band, as their name implies, churning out a string of rock hits like "Jesus Is Just Alright," "Take Me in Your Arms," and "Black Water." The guitar intro to "China Grove" is a rock classic, lending itself to every bar band in the world. There was something infectious about the early hits--strong melodies, great harmonies, and a genre-bending beat lifted the songs above the ordinary. That rollicking, rocking edge was all but abandoned when Michael McDonald joined. McDonald brought an urban, white-funk feel to the band, as best exemplified by "It Keeps You Runnin'" and "Takin' It to the Streets." Best of The Doobies draws more heavily upon the hits before his arrival, which, to many, should make the collection almost perfect. --Steve Gdula Amazon.com

A Great Doobie Brothers Compilation

This is the best way to acquire the band's excellent radio hits. However if you want to dig a little deeper, a two-disc compilation is a better choice.

Only eleven songs are featured here but all of them are great and are taken from the band's first five albums starting with their self-titled debut released in 1971 to "Takin' It To The Streets" which came out in 1976. These songs show the band's songwriting skills very well. Guitarists Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons are the main songwriters and sing most of the songs featured here.
Hard rock number "China Grove" starts the album with an awesome riff. In a similar vein is the last number "Without You" which is also pure hard rock at it's finest! In between there's the funky "Long Train Runnin'", the country-influenced "South City Midnight Lady" and their fine cover of the Byrds' "Jesus Is Just Alright". Let's not forget one of their most popular songs called "Listen To The Music". This is one of the best songs on the album! Great singing throughout with a very catchy chorus that features some nice banjo playing too. "Rockin' Down The Highway" is another memorable hard rock song.

Later in their career singer/keyboard player Michael McDonald joined the band. Jazz and soul influences became more prominent in the songwriting as evidenced by the excellent songs "Taking It To The Streets" and "It Keeps You Runnin'".

So this is a great compilation to have if you only want their radio hits! You can't go wrong with this purchase as all songs featured are excellent!
Thanks for taking the time to read!
Later... August 11, 2008

The first Doobie CD to get!

If you only buy one Doobie Brothers CD get this one. If you are on a island someplace with no hope for rescue and could pick a few CD's to have, this would be one of them.
You cannot help but move your body to the rock and roll sounds of the early Doobie Brothers (before Michael McDonald). China Groove is perhaps one of their better known and most memorable songs with a guitar start that makes you perk up no matter what your mood. Blackwater will take you back to a time when life was slow and easy and you had no cares in the world. Every song is great-hence the "Greatest Hits title. Although this CD actually lives up to its title.

Sam Hendricks, author of "Fantasy Football Guidebook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football" March 20, 2008

A classic in every sense

Only contains 11 tracks, all great includes a couple of Michael McDonald songs but mostly Johnston and Simmons. I cannot find a cd compilation with more songs so I'll keep making my own. You can never have too much Doobie Brothers. If you do not own a Doobies cd start with this one. November 11, 2007

The Doobie Brothers

YOu cannot go wrong with this CD! The Doobie Brothers were - in my opinion - just one of the best bands ever! Loved it! Still loving it! April 2, 2007

When they were a rock and roll band

The Doobie Brothers started out life as a greasy California biker band. That ethic led to big riff rockers like "China Grove" and "Long Train Runnin'," but was lacking in the eventual slick sophistication of Michael McDonald's urbane soul. Depending on who you speak to, that would make this collection a five star deal. This 1976 entity includes songs up to "Taking It To The Street," which means that the number one "What A Fool Believes" was after the cut off date. (Oddly, NONE of the Doobie Brothers compilations seems to recognize the debut album a year before Toulouse Street" was released.)

For that reason (and maybe for "Real Love"), I hold this album to four stars. If you really want the full-on Doobies, there are two other collections worth choosing from. There is a single disc, 20 song "Greatest Hits" from 2001, and a recent (2007) double "Very Best Of" with 33 songs up to 2000's "Sibling Rivalry." But then again, I totally lost interest in the band when they started churning out factory made classic rock like "The Doctor" and was perfectly happy to have this CD.

If you prefer the Doobies in the Tom Johnston era, this is for you. You not only get riff 101 grooves like "China Grove," but also the mysterious "Black Water" and the choice album cut "South City Midnight Lady." But I also consider the 2000 best of to be a **** 1/2 star CD, with better sound and 9 more songs. You might want to aim for that one, even if my notalgic trapped in a 16 year old's mindset gravitates towards this "Best Of The Doobies." March 15, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...