Five vintage albums from '70s hitmakers
the Doobie Brothers are included in this special box set. Released in 1971,
The Doobie Brothers was the group's first album, and finds
the Doobies beginning to work out the sound that would make them famous.
Livin' on the Fault Line from 1977 would prove to be their last album with guitarist and founder
Tom Johnston, and found them expanding their jazz influences. Issued in 1978,
Minute by Minute featured two major hits, the title cut and "What a Fool Believes," and with
Michael McDonald handling all the lead vocals, the group refined its R&B sound and came up with a commercial blockbuster. The hit "Real Love" is included on 1980's
One Step Closer, which would prove to be
the Doobies' last studio effort with
McDonald as lead singer. The
Doobie Brothers set out on a final series of live dates after announcing their impending breakup, and 1983's
Farewell Tour features 17 of the band's best-known songs performed on-stage during the last shows (though the group would reunite without
McDonald in 1989). ~ Mark Deming
