This concert is a continuation and conclusion of the 50th year tour of the Doobie Brothers which also included Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, and John McFee touring together for the first time in 27 years. This was quite an achievement and the fact that they all still sound as good as ever makes it just that more special. The band extended the 50-year celebration tour by popular demand.
The band members were Patrick Simmons on guitar and vocals, John McFee on guitar, pedal steel, dobro, vocals, Michael McDonald on Keyboard and vocals, Marc Russo on saxophone, John Cowan on bass, Ed Toth on drums and Marc Quiñones on percussion.
There was no warmup band so the Doobie Brothers took to the stage and started right in with “Take Me In Your Arms” followed by “Here To Love You” and “Depending On You.” The crowd was energized and from the start were singing with the band. You could tell there were many longtime fans of the band by the amount of people in the audience singing along to every song. The sheer number of hits produced by the Doobie Brothers over the years made it no surprise the songs were well known.
The Doobie Brothers are 4-time Grammy Award winners and have had five top-10 singles, 16 top-40 hits, three multi-platinum albums, seven platinum albums, 14 gold albums and own a rare diamond record for their 1976 album, Best of the Doobies. The Doobie Brothers’ collection of timeless hits played live at The Mohegan Sun by the artists who wrote them is a rare opportunity not often seen these days, especially from a group as well known for classics that go back decades. This night was special in so many ways those fans who showed up knew it and showed their appreciation to the fullest.
The band ended the concert of great memories and music with an encore of “Blackwater,” “Takin’ It To The Streets” and “Listen To The Music.” Then as a bonus included “Pretzel Logic” to a crowd who if they weren’t already on their feet singing and dancing midway through the concert were by the end of the night.
This night wrapped up the American tour venues and the band will finish out the tour with upcoming dates in Canada.
Well done Doobie Brothers, you guys still have it, those who attended knew it and appreciated all the effort put out by the band to make the night an outstanding event. The Doobie Brothers have generations of fans and there are new generations who will become fans as they listen to the music in years to come.
Review by Donna Erichsen
Photos by George Bekris
For more information about upcoming tours and band information visit The Doobie Brothers
Setlist:
Take Me in Your Arms
Here to Love You
Dependin’ on You
Rockin’ Down the Highway
Neal’s Fandango
You Belong to Me
Slack Key Soquel Rag
South City Midnight Lady
Clear as the Driven Snow
It Keeps You Runnin’
Eyes of Silver
One Step Closer
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Better Days
Real Love
Minute by Minute
Without You
Jesus Is Just Alright
What a Fool Believes
Long Train Runnin’
China Grove
Encore:
Black Water
Takin’ It to the Streets
Listen to the Music
Pretzel Logic