The Captain and Me [CD]

Back in my youth days, this was one of the 8 tracks that I could not hear enough. Also had c.d. and album. Doobies have always been my favorite and this was always their best collection ever.

Liked so many of the songs. Reminded me of times past.

Released in 1973 (possibly the best year ever for rock & roll music!), this album features hits like "Long Train Running", "China Grove" and "Without You", all Doobie Classics but there is not a weak song on this entire album....Other rockers include "Natural Thing", "Evil Woman" and the title track "The Captain and Me". But, like no other, The Doobies can also slow it down and make impressive ballads with incredible musicianship and insightful lyrics with songs like "South City Midnight Lady" and "Dark Eyed Cajun Woman", two of their best songs ever. "South City Midnight Lady" also featured incredible pedal steel guitar work from Steely Dan's Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, who later joined the Doobie Brothers. Little Feat's Billy Payne is also playing on this album. This was the apex of the Tom Johnston led Doobie Brothers before his health declined due to typical rock & roll partying. Patrick Simmons, the 2nd guitar to Tom Johnson, was an unheralded superstar in his own right in both guitar work, songwriting and vocals. Although considered hard-rockers, this album showed the many true sides of the Doobie Brothers and their incredible mix of country, r&b, jazz, bluegrass and road-house boogie that shot them to the top of rock & roll history during the 70's.