Best Of Live

Highly Rated and Recommended

I am writing this because I see no place where I can go to replace an item I purchased from Amazon over 6 months ago. I ordered the EAGLES GERATEST HITS CD package in November of 2017 as a Christmas gift, shortly after having purchased tickets for an upcoming Eagles concert (June). The recipient of the gift did not attempt to play the CDs until shortly before the concert and was very disappointed when the Volume 1 CD suddenly stopped playing. Upon examining the CD, she discovered that half-way through, the CD is blank. There must have been some issue in the recording to create this problem. When I learned about the flawed CD, I checked online to see where to go to return the CD but could find nothing. I assume it is because the item was purchased more than six months ago. As the one who purchased the item, I had not examined the CDs, never thinking one might be half blank. I would like to return the CD at this point. The Volume 2 CD in the package is fine.

When Tom Johnston dropped out of the band for health reasons in the mid-70s and Michael McDonald signed on, Simmons and McDonald divided the vocals for the Johnston tunes between them. McDonalds Eyes Of Silver wowed me. His Long Train Running sent chills down my spine. Even though Tom Johnston has written most of my favorite Doobie songs and while his voice is the signature sound of the Doobies to me, sad to say, I hear his weaknesses rather than his strengths when he sings Long Train Running now. Until I hear McDonalds version of Long Train Running and Eyes Of Silver on a cd (I know at least two such concerts were recorded) - and I figure thats somewhere in the neighborhood of NO CHANCE - live Doobie recordings will continue to disappoint me. My biggest complaint with current offerings including this one is - for the most part - the renditions could be alternate studio takes. About the only difference is some of the early classics never had the benefit of a virtuoso guitarist on the original recordings. This cd has some high points but it also has some weak choices with the inclusion of obviously tired Johnston and McDonald vocals in places. Were there no better versions?

To my knowledge, this is the Doobies earliest live album, surprising for such a concert-oriented band. The trouble is that they should have recorded it 10 to 15 years earlier, when the band was at its peak. There is just too much grey hair, tired rhythms and worn-out vocal cords. But while time has clearly taken its toll of Mike McDonalds voice, Tom Johnstons has held up remarkably well. Another high spot on the album is Pat Simmons Slat Key Soquel Rag, now bizarrely called Slack Key Soquel Rag. The tone of Simmons guitar is gorgeous. But isnt that an uncredited flute in the background? And surely thats a violin playing on Black Water? Although a number of extra musicians are credited on the CD sleeve, the violin and flute dont get a mention. Its good to hear McDonald and Johnston playing on the same podium, but a slight shame that the band couldnt persuade drummer John Hartman away from the veterinary surgery and guitarist Skunk Baxter away from the production desk for a night. Sounds like it was a good concert.

Good, love live

I have to say this is one enjoyable live set from one of Americas greatest bands of all time. I remember dating this girl in high school who turned me on to the Doobie Brothers. It was the Captain & Me album that we drive around listening too in her Olds Cutlass and talk about putting together a band. Never happened. I then saw them on Dick Clarks Rocking In The New Years I think in 74. What I like about this album is that it contains 14 classic tunes - See track list. Im sure this was a live album put together in the studio a track at a time from different concerts that the band had played over the years. It nice to see that both The Captain & Me, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, Taking It to the Streets & Minute By Minute are represented here in live song selection. I wish this could have been a double album because there are some Doobie songs missing that I believe could have made it a better Cd. This was the second live related album for the Doobies It was the live Fair Well Tour album that proceeded it. This album will be a nice collection of songs that you will like. Its a great car cd for jamming too when rocking down the highway. Heres the Track list... 1.Jesus Is Just Alright (Arthur Reynolds) 2.Rockin down the Highway (Tom Johnston) 3.What a Fool Believes (Michael McDonald / Kenny Loggins) 4.South City Midnight Lady (Patrick Simmons) 5.The Doctor (Tom Johnston, Charlie Midnight, Edward Schwartz) 6.Neals Fandango (Patrick Simmons) 7.Minute by Minute (Michael McDonald/Lester Abrams) 8.China Grove (Tom Johnston) 9.Dependin on You (Patrick Simmons/Michael McDonald) 10.Slack Key Soquel Rag (Patrick Simmons) 11.Black Water (Patrick Simmons) 12.Long Train Runnin (Tom Johnston) 13.Listen to the Music (Tom Johnston) 14.Without You (Tom Johnston) Enjoy Rick

Good collection of songs. Recordings are good. I like this album - brings back a lot of memories of their early years in the Santa Cruz mountains.

Coming of age along with the Doobies, Im a disciple of the TJ era...nuff said! We all have our exceptions and no better example is Pat Simmons Dependin on You. Setting aside all biases, it just does not get any better than that and is worth the purchase for that alone.

Like live cuts. sounds good

Nice