Doobie Brothers Captain & Me CD

Live Recording

The Doobie Brothers: Tom Johnston (vocals, guitar, harmonica, ARP synthesizer); Pat Simmons (vocals, guitar, ARP synthesizer); Tiran Porter (vocals, bass instrument); John Hartman (vocals, drums, percussion); Michael Hossack (drums, congas, timbales).
Additional personnel: Jeff Baxter (pedal steel guitar); Bill Payne (piano, organ).
The Doobie Brothers' third long-player was the charm, their most substantial and consistent album to date, and one that rode the charts for a year. It was also a study in contrasts, Tom Johnston's harder-edged, bolder rocking numbers balanced by Patrick Simmons' more laid-back country-rock ballad style. The leadoff track, Johnston's "Natural Thing," melded the two, opening with interlocking guitars and showcasing the band's exquisite soaring harmonies around a beautiful melody, all wrapped up in a midtempo beat -- the result was somewhere midway between Allman Brothers-style virtuosity and Eagles/Crosby & Nash-type lyricism, which defined this period in the Doobies' history and gave them a well-deserved lock on the top of the charts. Next up was the punchy, catchy "Long Train Runnin'," a piece they'd been playing for years as an instrumental -- a reluctant Johnston was persuaded by producer Ted Templeman to write lyrics to it and record the song, and the resulting track became the group's next hit. The slashing, fast-tempo "China Grove" and "Without You" represented the harder side of the Doobies' sound, and were juxtaposed with Simmons' romantic country-rock ballads "Dark Eyed Cajun Woman," "Clear as the Driven Snow," and "South City Midnight Lady." Simmons also showed off his louder side with "Evil Woman," while Johnston showed his more reflective side with "Ukiah" and "The Captain and Me" -- the latter, a soaring rocker clocking in at nearly five minutes, features radiant guitars and harmonies, soaring ever higher and faster to a triumphant finish. ~ Bruce Eder
CAPTAIN AND ME found the Doobie Brothers boasting three strong vocalists, two expert guitarists, and a brace of rhythmic drummers, refining a sound that crossed AM pop-rock, soul-tinged R&B, country-folk, jazzy gospel, and strong musicianship. The result burst the band into national prominence. Traces of Moby Grape, whom the group adored, can be heard in their vibrant harmonies and flowing hooklines, but THE CAPTAIN AND ME showed an act of singular purpose.
The effervescent urgency propelling the percolating groover "Long Train Running" and the leaner rock of "China Grove" into the US singles charts is apparent on every selection. In addition to the band's gorgeous layered harmonies and twin guitar arpeggios, THE CAPTAIN AND ME features the band's strongest and most consistent set of songs. Patrick Simmons's mellow, country-rock numbers, such as "South City Midnight Lady" and "Clear As the Driven Snow," abut Tom Johnson's rockers, like the majestic title track. In short, this record defines the classic sound that would make the Doobie Brothers one of the most popular and commercially successful bands of the '70s, and it still stands--arguably--as their finest moment.
Boasting three strong vocalists, two expert guitarists, and a brace of rhythmic drummers, the Doobie Brothers came to national prominence in the 1970s with a sound incorporating AM pop-rock, Southern R&B, and strong musicianship. Traces of Moby Grape, whom the group adored, can be heard in their vibrant harmonies and flowing melodic hook-lines, but THE CAPTAIN & ME showed a singular purpose. The effervescent urgency propelling "Long Train Running" and "China Grove" into the US singles charts is apparent on every selection, where melody combines with twin-guitar arpeggios to create an unquestionable excitement. The unified good-vibes sound emerging from this cross-section imbues this album with its lasting strength.