The early Doobie Brothers sound is hard to define, which to me
signifies the mark of a good band. Part Southern rock, part country
and part classic rock, mixed with a boogie bar band feel, the
pre-Michael McDonald incarnation of the band rightfully became
popular in the mid-’70s.
The Captain And Me is the band’s best effort. That’s not to
say it’s a great album, because the Doobies never made a real album
statement and were more singles-oriented anyway. But it has enough
individual moments to make it stand out among the other Doobie
efforts.
What sets this release apart from other Doobie efforts is its
edge. “Long Train Runnin” is driven by acoustic guitars and an
intermittent harmonica, but it has a skittering feel in both the
vocals and quick chord changes in the guitar. “Dark Eyed Cajon
Woman” is slightly melancholy, highlighted by the reliable Doobie
harmonies, while “Evil Woman” trades off vocals over top of a
driving beat reminiscent of Deep Purple.
“China Grove” and “Without You” showcase the harder side of the
band, with the latter going on a bit too long. This is in contrast
to the typical folky feel of “South City Midnight Lady” and “Clear
As The Driven Snow,” which sound like outtakes from the band’s last
two albums and are decent. Only “Natural Woman” is a generic
clunker.
The remaining trio of songs is the only time the Doobies feel
like an album band instead of a singles band. “Busted Down Around
O’Connelly Corners” is a nice acoustic ditty that ends too quickly,
seguing into the melancholy, soaring “Ukiah,” which is a
sadly-overlooked tune in the band’s history (it didn’t even make
the box set). The set closes with the title track, which starts off
pleasant and forgettable but builds in intensity, speeding up and
soaring to the album’s finish.
Why the Eagles were more popular than these guys I’ll never
know, because the Doobies can exude gorgeous vocal harmonies, a
sense of fun and even some melancholia into their music, often into
one song.
The Captain And Me may not make much of a dent after it’s
over, but its strongest moments — “Ukiah,” the title track, “Long
Train Runnin'” — are among the band’s best work, and overall the
album is the band’s most cohesive and enjoyable release.
