When Rhino/Warner Brothers released the 1999 box set, Long Train Running 1970-2000, it was the most comprehensive Doobie compilation ever. But, the long-time fans wanted more rarities and the first-time listeners wanted a single disc of their hits. The Best Of The Doobies Vol.1-2 wasn't enough. So, in 2001, Rhino made another Doobies collection. Greatest Hits is a valued compilation of 20 of their best hits. It sums up their best years from 1970-2000. They are all here, starting with their 1972 hit, Listen To The Music. Some of my favorites are What A Fool Believes, Minute By Minute, Real Love, You Belong To Me, and Takin' It To The Streets. The booklet has a lot of rare photographs and other great information. Buy this with Doobies Choice, which includes album cuts and rarities, before you get any of their albums. If you think you're ready for the box set, Long Train Running 1970-2000, go for it because that's a great one too.

While I am not a particularly big fan of the music of the 1970's one group that stood head and shoulders above the rest was the Doobie Brothers. Led by vocalist Tom Johnston, this group successfully combined elements of rock 'n roll and R&B and made some of the most memorable music of the decade. And despite a rash of personnel changes along the way the group continued to make great music throughout the 1970's.
It did not take long for the group to make its mark on the American music scene. Formed in San Jose, Ca. in 1970, the Doobies found themselves riding high on the Billboard Top Pop Singles Chart when in the fall of 1972 their debut release "Listen To The Music" leaped all the way to #11. Quite an accomplishment! Over the next few years the hits just kept on comin' with memorable songs like "Long Train Runnin'", "Black Water" and "China Grove". What I particularly enjoyed about the Doobie Brothers was that no two songs seemed to sound alike. This was a very innovative group that featured tight harmonies and superior musicianship.
As I mentioned earlier the group was plagued by constant personnel changes which made the fact that their music was so consistantly good all the more remarkable. In 1975, Michael McDonald came aboard to replace Tom Johnston and lent his considerable talents to the group. But the group had a lot of trouble coming up with another big hit. "Takin' It To The Streets" and "It Keeps You Runnin'" were great records but it seemed the public had lost some interest. In late 1978 the group released the album "Minute By Minute". This record was greeted with wild enthusiasm by the public. Not only did it reach #1 on the Billboard Albums chart, but it stayed there for five weeks. "Minute By Minute" also spawned the #1 single "What A Fool Believes" which in my opinion could well be the best single release of the decade. The group continued to have varying amounts of success until they finally disbanded in 1983. The group re-formed briefly with Tom Johnston at the helm and released the great Top 10 single "The Doctor" which thankfully Rhino has chosen to include on this disc.
Featuring a total of 20 tracks, "Doobie Brothers Greatest Hits" is really an excellent collection. I found just about everything I was looking for on this disc. Rhino has also provided an excellent 16 page booklet which details all of the twists and turns that took place in the life of this marvelous group. Highly recommended.

This is by far the best collection of hits by the Doobie Brothers, those prime 1970s purveyors of tuneful California soft rock or boogie pop. Their laid-back radio-friendly grooves never impressed me on the first listen, but had an insidious way of sneaking into one's consciousness so you were soon singing along to addictive songs like China Grove and Listen To The Music. This album is a celebration of timeless tunes, heavenly harmonies and mellow southern California style that is hard to resist.

Their slick but soulful sound has aged gracefully and compares very favorably with today's radio pop. My favorites include the lilting, swaying What A Fool Believes (a massive 1978 hit), Long Train Runnin', Dependin' On You, Black Water and Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me). Their later stuff like 1980's Real Love and the reunion single Doctor from 1989 are also included, making this a comprehensive compilation of their very best work.

First off, I LOVE THE DOOBIE BROTHERS. I want that to be absolutely clear, because there seems to be an interesting tradition that has been permeating in the music world for the past 10 years or so: continually re-package a band's so-called Greatest Hits, but only vary it by two or three songs each time. Granted, as digital technology continues to evolve along with the ability to improve older analog recordings, I can understand the need to freshen up a bands Hits collection...but do we REALLY need a new version every 18 months?? NO WE DON'T. It seems I am just finished reviewing a Greatest Hits by some band when a newer, more sleek and digitally enhanced version is suddenly available, the only difference being just a few songs. Is it THAT necessary to attempt to bleed more money from the fans? I suppose since we are in a Capitol Society, as long as there are folks willing to buy it why not, huh?

For ALL of my rants and raves regarding this endless problem (and there are dozens and dozens of HUGE bands that are doing it -- or rather I should say their Record Label are doing it) I really found this particular edition to be a superior collection of songs by a truly under-appreciated Super Group. It would seem that the vast majority of Doobie Fans are divided up in Pre-Michael McDonald era, and After-Michael, if you know what I mean. Sure, there are plenty who enjoy both incarnations of the band, and I must admit I fall squarely in between. Great before Michael, and Great after. What's NOT to like? Sure, if you have spent a lot of money on one of the earlier Greatest Hits by the Doobies, I am reluctant to encourage you to fork out more just for the couple song difference you will find. If you have yet to purchase one, than I whole-heartedly endorse this particular edition (that is until yet another version becomes available sometime within the next 18 months or so...). I am quite fortunate in that I work in radio and I haven't had to buy a record, cassette or cd for a mighty long time...but that doesn't mean I cannot understand the frustration from those of you who do not have this luxury. I realize how lucky I am, and I hear the complaints from my listeners on a regular basis and the prevailing opinion is that if the Record Labels continue to do this, pretty soon nobody will be willing to buy anything, everyone will just digitally copy it from the Internet somewhere until the site gets shut down...and when that happens, never fear another site will be up and running in a really short amount of time.

In short: If you already own a Greatest Hits by the Doobie Brothers, I would think twice before buying this one. If you are in the market to buy your first one, this would definitely be the one to own. Shop accordingly and save some money and time. Good luck.

you know, i was listening to this album and I forgot just how talented the Doobies really were. Each song is a different style of music that they tried to reach all audiences with. The classsics, It Keeps you Running, Black Water are timeless pieces of music that you can hit the repeat button again and again. I think that Michael McDonald's voice is one of the most recogizable voices in music. I think he reaches his pinnacle in "Minute by Minute", the range he uses as well as some of the backing vocals he lays down really show that he is a master of melody.

It's OK in this day and age to put this CD in your car with the windows down and crank up the volume and sing along with McDonald, who wouldn't want to "be like Mike"-(Jeff Baxter. Anyway, if you purchase this CD, I believe that you will appreciate a truly under appreciated band!!!!!