(editor’s note – no ex post facto proof for Billy Hinsche or Myrna Smith)
The Doobie Brothers pack SPAC
by Dennis Redmond, Bennington Banner, July 23, 1981
The biggest crowd of the year so far mobbed the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Sunday night to hear the Doobie Brothers sound off with their greatest hits.
Over 16,000 fans of the Doobies didn’t go away disappointed as the eight-man rock-blues-soul-pop group put on a solid, 90-minute show of songs they made famous in the 1970s and 1980s.
It was exactly a year ago that this talented group of musicians and singers brought the house down at SPAC, setting the attendance record for the 1980 summer season.
This year’s version was more fast-moving — less talk and more continuous playing in a slick, professional manner not seen too often in a live rock show. There was no small talk or needless banter, and no fussing with the instruments during the show.
This was their last show of the summer tour and any on-the-road weariness or anxiety to get it over with did not show at all. These guys have been playing together for too long to let any of this happen.
They may have been playing even harder for a reason — SPAC officials have confirmed that an elaborate recording system was in operation and the entire concert was put on tape, perhaps the basis of a future “Best of the Doobies Live” album?
They opened with a non-stop set of some of their biggest hits — “Takin’ It To the Streets,” “Jesus Is Just Alright,” “It Keeps You Runnin.” This non-stop opening, coupled with their mesmerizing light show got the show rolling.
The wide range of individual talent all members of the group possess was evident right from the start. Each member takes turn sharing the spotlight on various songs which is one reason why this diverse group has had so much success in the past ten years.
The only disappointment is the fact that they didn’t introduce any new material, a sure sign that the group has no new album in the works. This may point to the fact that the future existence of the Doobie Brothers as a group may be on the rocks.
The sound system was excellent — certainly loud enough and almost to the point of being too loud so that the words to some of the songs came out practically garbled.
Last year they introduced several of the best songs from their then new album, “One Step Closer,” but the entire Sunday concert was devoted to a reprise of their old hits.
As usual, Michael McDonald, who has built up a following of his own, got the best welcome when the group was introduced. His influence, both in songwriting and as lead vocalist, has done more than anything to change the sound of the Doobies and this may yet lead to the breaking up of the group.
The unique sound of McDonald dominates all their most recent hits which they performed with perfection Sunday night — “Minute By Minute,” “What A Fool Believes,” “Real Love,” etc.
But during the older songs — “China Grove,” “Black Water,” “Long Train Runnin'” — McDonald takes a back seat to other band members, who have been with the Doobies the longest.
Lead guitarists Pat Simmons and John McFee played masterfully as usual and delighted the audience with their stage antics, strutting out to the edge of the stage and at times, dropping right into the audience and playing in the aisles.
The duo shined in doing the vintage Doobie Brothers songs, especially in “Black River,” with Simmons playing guitar and singing and McFee strolling around during his electric fiddle solos.
While McDonald may be the most popular Doobie today, these two guitarists sustained the most applause Sunday during their various guitar licks.
Keyboardist/saxophonist Cornelius Bumpus stole the spotlight several times, sharing the lead on vocals with McDonald on their most recent hit “One Step Closer.
And dummer Keith Knudsen, who has been a Doobie since 1973, finished out the night, leading everyone in a rousing second encore of “Listen to the Music.” This is their usual closing number and never fails to end bring their show to a successful ending.
Opening for the Doobies was former Beach Boy Carl Wilson, who has fled from his brothers and is touring on his own. He’s trying to make the break with the past, with a new sound all his own.
Backed by a rock band, Wilson introduced songs from this album, but got the most applause when he performed “Darlin’,” the only Beach Boy song of the night. And “Heaven,” the single released from the album, also has a definite Beach Boy sound to it, so maybe he’ll find it harder than he thinks to break his bond with the past.
The Knickerbocker News, July 17, 1981
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