One Step Closer

by The Doobie Brothers

Overview

This album shows the difference between highly competent musicianship and true inspiration, and what each can deliver. The group's weakest album to date, One Step Closer is only a failure in relative terms. At the outset of the group's shift toward a more soulful sound, it might have gotten by in much the same way that, say, the Bee Gees' Mr. Natural failed commercially but was given a "pass" by critics, their record label, and, perhaps most importantly, the band itself. But coming off of the multi-Grammy winning Minute by Minute, One Step Closer was a serious letdown, despite the presence of a modest hit in "Real Love" and platinum record award-level sales. The band seemed to lack sufficient new inspiration for a whole album, a fact emphasized by the near-complete withdrawal of Patrick Simmons as a songwriter -- his "No Stoppin' Us Now," co-authored with Michael McDonald and Christopher Thompson, is one of the better tracks and it's not remotely as strong as the output on earlier records. The title song, co-authored by Keith Knudsen and John McFee, is similarly a relatively uninspired successor to earlier compositions. McDonald is able to pick up some of the slack, along with saxman (and new member) Cornelius Bumpus, but overall the songs and the performances just don't measure up. It's more the quality of a set of demos in progress, and it was clear to all concerned that they were out of ideas. The Doobies spent the next two years touring and capitalizing on a decade's brilliant music-making before announcing their split. ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	04/14/2023
Label:	Wea Japan
UPC:	4943674371853

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Doobie Brothers   Primary Artist
Nicolette Larson   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Byron Berline   Violin
Michael McDonald   Vocals,Keyboards,Synthesizer
Tiran Porter   Bass,Vocals
Joel Peskin   Saxophone,Sax (Baritone)
Lee Thornburg   Trumpet
Jerry Jumonville   Horn,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
Rev. Patrick Henderson   Keyboards
Patrick Simmons   Guitar,Vocals
Ted Templeman   Bells,Cowbell,Maracas,Percussion,Tambourine
Billy Armstrong   Trumpet
Bill Armstrong   Trumpet
Keith Knudsen   Drums,Vocals
Bobby LaKind   Bongos,Congas,Conductor,Vocals (Background)
Chet McCracken   Drums,Marimba,Vibraphone
Cornelius Bumpus   Organ,Vocals,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)
John McFee   Guitar,Vocals
Jimmie Haskell   Strings
Chris Thompson   Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Jim Isaacson   Engineer
Jerry Jumonville   Horn Arrangements
Jim Welch   Design,Art Direction
Michael McDonald   Composer
Paul Anka   Composer
Gene Meros   Engineer
Joan Parker   Production Assistant
Kent Duncan   Mastering
James Isaacson   Engineer
Norman Seeff   Photography
Chris Thompson   Composer,Composer
Rev. Patrick Henderson   Composer
Patrick Simmons   Composer
Ted Templeman   Producer
Keith Knudsen   Composer
Bobby LaKind   Composer
Chet McCracken   Composer
Cornelius Bumpus   Composer
Carlene Carter   Composer
John McFee   Composer
Jimmie Haskell   String Arrangements