The Doobie Brothers – Best Of The Doobies

The Doobies were a little before my time. This greatest hits compilation was released when I was 4. But it's bands like the Doobies that make me wish I was born just a decade earlier. What I wouldn't have given to have been a teen with this on my turn table and listening to these songs for the first time with everyone else. Funny enough I was introduced to the band when I was in my early teens while watching reruns of "What's Happening". The band appeared in two episodes (Doobie or Not Doobie - parts 1 and parts 2). Since then, I've never missed an opportunity to listen to their songs.

Every song on this is a hit. This is what a "Greatest hits" album is supposed to be.

Shouldn't the Doobies' 'Best Of' (1976) be listed under Compilations?

hah you've got to laugh at Wikipedia's mention this was their first compilation (well authorised) but they forgot about the Australian release from 1974
https://www.discogs.sie.com/master/369308-The-Doobie-Brothers-Listen-To-The-Music-The-Best-Of-The-Doobie-Brothers

The best of their stuff...Rockin' and groovin' cut to cut...The group always served up a tasty bass track and plenty of driving percussion...Who can't sit still listening to "Long Train Runnin"? Having a party? Flip this VINYL on your TT and it will rock on into the night...Sorry they broke up... https://youtu.be/m95sYuPfAuo

Having owned many copies, this is probably one of the most complete of all the compilations out there.
IMO. there are only a couple of other songs that may have qualified. Both the record and CD sound great.
Even the 8-Track and cassette tapes sound good.

As you may or may not be aware, the 1971-1976 incarnation of the Doobie Brothers was primarily governed by Tom Johnston, who led the band in a decidedly rock-oriented direction, albeit with an effervescent R&B-attuned vocal delivery courtesy of Johnston and Patrick Simmons. Prior to surrendering to the soul, funk and jazz fusion predilections of Johnston's eventual replacement Michael McDonald, guitarist Simmons formed an effectual creative partnership with Johnston and producer Ted Templeman, successfully balancing the West Coast-infused country-rock of the Eagles with the rock & roll-accented stylistic approach of Moby Grape. Widely recognized on the Southern California music scene due to the associations of their slang-inspired name, the Doobies gained further prominence by refining their harmony-laden, rhythmic sound to the point that it could be approved by all, not merely a selective audience. Initially only truly popular with West Coast hippies and Hell's Angels, the Doobies evolved into a heavier-sounding major rock group with a string of hits to their name and a diverse fanbase.

Between 1972 and 1974, the band hit their stride. Fully capable of crossing various genre divisions and appealing to both pop and rock audiences, they became almost as ubiquitous as their contemporaries. Not only was the material produced during this period deemed musically first-rate by critics, it also proved immensely marketable in LP form. Having previously let Michael McDonald, a Steely Dan cohort, the band temporarily as a touring keyboardist, he was made an official member in 1976 when the group's prospects and audience were showing signs of shrinkage. Taking control of the band, overhauling their sound and reviving their commercial viability, McDonald brought an end to Johnston's reign. Some opined that with Johnston's departure, the Doobies lost their magic, which is understandable if a little inaccurate considering the former blues outfit Fleetwood Mac, whose own unassuming frontman had been replaced by an inextricably linked, immensely attractive West Coast duo, morphed into a mainstream pop band and actually became more widely celebrated as a result. Upon dominating the airwaves in the late '70s, Fleetwood Mac's intricate, impeccably produced and well-executed brand of contemporary rock forced other professional purveyors of post-hippie rock forms to follow suit. Squarely arising from McDonald's pop sensibilities, The Doobie Brothers adopted a funkier, more keyboard-based sound than the 'Mac, reaping rewards well into the '80s. As the credibility and creative input of the original group rapidly diminished, it wasn't long before they were relegated to backing band status, overshadowed by McDonald's individual drawing power and incredibly distinctive vocal stylings.

In the wake of Michael McDonald's well-noted involvement and as the less successful solo artist, Johnston has long since been forgotten as being partially responsible for the first line-up's run of hits, hence why a compilation focusing on this early-to-mid '70s era is so significant. "Best of the Doobies" is loaded with back-to-back requisites from said imperial phase: "Listen to the Music," "Jesus Is Just Alright," "Long Train Runnin'," "China Grove," and "Black Water". As their first greatest hits album, its design and contents were heavily influenced by Johnston and the rest of the band, which perhaps explains the commensurate ratio of his and Simmons' contributions. McDonald, on the other hand, despite only becoming a permanent member months shy of the compilation being assembled, scores two worthy inclusions: "It Keeps You Runnin'," and "Takin' it to the Streets". Representative of what the Doobies were most proficient at: catchy, easy-going unit shifters characterised by feel-good lyrics delivered with conviction and augmented by exemplary musicianship and polished production. It becomes abundantly clear that the Doobies' biggest strength was their ability to write such superb, universally beloved singles, most of which would end up recognised as standards. Winning over the masses was a skill that even they were possibly reluctant to it, that was, until career obligations necessitated eleven highlights be drawn from six of their slightly less thoroughly enjoyable albums, sequenced so cannily and conveniently on a single LP. "Best of the Doobies", by virtue of condensing their repertoire into a satisfactory 11-track overview, is quite simply the group's most cohesive, faultless and durable collection, one that will never be a chore to consume in its entirety.

Rating: 4.5/5

This is a compilation and will be sought under the Compilations tab. Speaking as someone who just looked for it under the Compilations tab.

Wondering why this compilation is listed under "Albums" instead of "Compilations."

The Doobie Brothers/ Record Lable .(The Best Of The Doobie Brothers )