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List Price: $11.98 | | Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Salesrank: 44707
Released: October 25, 1990 |
| Our Price: $2.91 |
| Used Price: $0.86 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Best of the Doobies Track Listing:
1. China Grove
2. Long Train Runnin'
3. Takin' It to the Streets
4. Listen to the Music [Long Version]
5. Black Water
6. Rockin' Down the Highway
7. Jesus Is Just Alright
8. It Keeps You Runnin'
9. South City Midnight Lady
10. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me)
11. Without You
Editorial Review:
The Doobie Brothers' career is best be divided into two camps. The band originally started out as a good-time party band, as their name implies, churning out a string of rock hits like "Jesus Is Just Alright," "Take Me in Your Arms," and "Black Water." The guitar intro to "China Grove" is a rock classic, lending itself to every bar band in the world. There was something infectious about the early hits--strong melodies, great harmonies, and a genre-bending beat lifted the songs above the ordinary. That rollicking, rocking edge was all but abandoned when Michael McDonald joined. McDonald brought an urban, white-funk feel to the band, as best exemplified by "It Keeps You Runnin'" and "Takin' It to the Streets." Best of The Doobies draws more heavily upon the hits before his arrival, which, to many, should make the collection almost perfect. --Steve Gdula
Best of the Doobies Reviews:
The ultimate, essential Doobies album. Here's why. 
2009-01-17 - I recently listened to this album, as well as The Very Best of the Doobie Bros.
The conclusion I draw is that "prime" Doobies material is found between the first album and Takin' It to the Streets, the first Jeff "Skunk" Baxter and Michael McDonald album.
Mike 'n' Skunk's work in Steely Dan...ESPECIALLY on Katy Lied, the DEFINITIVE Dan album...is both humbling and inspiring. In The Doobie Brothers, they brought a sense of cold precision that killed off any charm the band once had.
"Best Of The Doobies" holds up better than any single album in their catalog. Tom Johnston was a key player who helped put the band on the map. Michael McDonald was a gifted songwriter / vocalist / keyboardist, but over time, his songs became artificial and lifeless and trivial and not in keeping with the Air Guitar Gods who crafted "China Grove" and "Listen To The Music."
If you like it all, more power to you. If you want to experience the heart of the Doobs, this is the heart. This album. Buy it.
A Great Doobie Brothers Compilation
2008-08-11 - This is the best way to acquire the band's excellent radio hits. However if you want to dig a little deeper, a two-disc compilation is a better choice.
Only eleven songs are featured here but all of them are great and are taken from the band's first five albums starting with their self-titled debut released in 1971 to "Takin' It To The Streets" which came out in 1976. These songs show the band's songwriting skills very well. Guitarists Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons are the main songwriters and sing most of the songs featured here.
Hard rock number "China Grove" starts the album with an awesome riff. In a similar vein is the last number "Without You" which is also pure hard rock at it's finest! In between there's the funky "Long Train Runnin'", the country-influenced "South City Midnight Lady" and their fine cover of the Byrds' "Jesus Is Just Alright". Let's not forget one of their most popular songs called "Listen To The Music". This is one of the best songs on the album! Great singing throughout with a very catchy chorus that features some nice banjo playing too. "Rockin' Down The Highway" is another memorable hard rock song.
Later in their career singer/keyboard player Michael McDonald joined the band. Jazz and soul influences became more prominent in the songwriting as evidenced by the excellent songs "Taking It To The Streets" and "It Keeps You Runnin'".
So this is a great compilation to have if you only want their radio hits! You can't go wrong with this purchase as all songs featured are excellent!
Thanks for taking the time to read!
Later...
The first Doobie CD to get!
2008-03-20 - If you only buy one Doobie Brothers CD get this one. If you are on a island someplace with no hope for rescue and could pick a few CD's to have, this would be one of them.
You cannot help but move your body to the rock and roll sounds of the early Doobie Brothers (before Michael McDonald). China Groove is perhaps one of their better known and most memorable songs with a guitar start that makes you perk up no matter what your mood. Blackwater will take you back to a time when life was slow and easy and you had no cares in the world. Every song is great-hence the "Greatest Hits title. Although this CD actually lives up to its title.
Sam Hendricks, author of "Fantasy Football Guidebook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football"
A classic in every sense
2007-11-11 - Only contains 11 tracks, all great includes a couple of Michael McDonald songs but mostly Johnston and Simmons. I cannot find a cd compilation with more songs so I'll keep making my own. You can never have too much Doobie Brothers. If you do not own a Doobies cd start with this one.
The Doobie Brothers
2007-04-02 - YOu cannot go wrong with this CD! The Doobie Brothers were - in my opinion - just one of the best bands ever! Loved it! Still loving it!
