The Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary Tour hit London’s Budweiser Gardens this past Thursday, June 30, after a two-year postponement due to the pandemic, and they didn’t disappoint! Original members Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston, as well as long-time member John McFee, with a reunited Michael McDonald, played a 24-song, hit-filled extravaganza that covered the band’s entire career from the opening song "Nobody" from their eponymous debut through their big hit days with McDonald and a few new songs from last year’s *Liberté*.
The band sounded great, but the acoustics at an arena like Bud Gardens can sometimes be a challenge, especially when dealing with a band of that size, with all the layered harmonies.
The debate still rages over which version of the band was better: pre-McDonald or the McDonald years. I personally love both and don’t know why there’s even a debate. We are so lucky to get this version of the band right now and everyone appearing healthy and vibrant in their seventh decade of life. During the band introductions, the loudest noise was made for McDonald, not because the fans favour him, but because they’re happy that he’s back to make the band complete.
We are so lucky to get this version of the band right now and everyone appearing healthy and vibrant in their seventh decade of life.
Patrick Simmons introduced the song "Better Days" by talking a bit about the challenges of the last couple years, but telling the audience that these are better days and we can make this world a better place.
The set ended very strong with seven of their biggest hits, and the band encouraging fans to sing back and forth during the a cappella section in "Black Water." A nice little surprise was an instrumental interlude of Paul Simon’s "Still Crazy After All These Years" by sax player Marc Russo and McDonald before the final two songs: mega hits "Takin' It to the Streets" and "Listen to the Music." The tour continues this week in the US through to an October date in Nashville, TN.
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