Captain and me, for the reasons stated before.
First time I had heard the band and it is a great great intro. Natural Thing, Long Train Runnin', China Grove, South City Midnight Woman, Without You - one of their greatest live tracks. Most of these tracks if not all still feature in the live set which shows what a great album it was.
Stampede is also one of my favourites with 'Neals Fandango' (I love singing those fast lines', and 'Cheat the Hangman' with its dramatic orchestration.
I think what always stands out in this band is that the writing/singing/lead playing has always been well shared. Tommy was heavily responsible early on but when he left Pat and the rest of the band really stepped up to the plate and took it on.
Michael M's role should never be underestimated, or overlooked. Yes, the band followed a slightly altered direction but it was exactly what the times demanded. The AOR sound they cultivated with Michael saved the bands a$$, was commercially mega-successful and meant they were still around for Tommy when he wanted to come back. The story has it from Michael himself that he was on his uppers when the offer came to finish a tour with the band and play keyboards. But his voice and writing generated a whole new market for the Doobies, one which they retain to this day.
I love the line up now. A real big band sound which is the sum of its parts. Huge individual talents who have written some of the best well known and loved songs ever IMO.
I loved 'Cycles' which was a return to form when released and I look forward to the new album with huge interest. I bought the 'Best of the Doobies - Live' for about 4 Euros some years ago. The CD recording of that NY gig. If they can still sound anything like that today I will be a very happy guy come the end of the month!
No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012