Let the Music Play: The Story of the Doobie Brothers

In Barry Ehrmann's documentary profile, the Doobie Brothers (along with producer Ted Templeman and longtime manager Bruce Cohn) tell their own story, tracing the band's long history starting with their early roots in the Bay Area. The group was already starting to land gigs in 1970 when they realized that they needed a name. Guitarist Patrick Simmons admits that "Doobie Brothers," which began as a joke, was stupid, but it stuck. Label attention came early, but their Warner Brothers debut made little impact, so the band added a second drummer to their three-guitar line-up and released the single "Listen to the Music" from 1972's Toulouse Street, which became a big hit. "By '74," remembers singer-guitarist and primary songwriter Tom Johnston, "we had a Doobieliner": i.e., a nonstop party plane. In short order, the group topped the charts with "Black Water" and added former Steely Dan guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, but then Johnston developed a bleeding ulcer. While he took time off, Michael McDonald stepped in as a backup singer and keyboard player, impressing the other members so much that he was able to take over on lead vocals. McDonald's songwriting skills also brought more hits, including “Takin' It to the Streets” and “It Keeps You Runnin'.” Unhappy with the band's new direction, Johnston left in 1977. After several more lineup changes, the Doobie Brothers embarked on a farewell tour in 1982, although they would still get together for annual benefit gigs, and five years later decided to reform. Towards the end of the documentary, the band members' wives and kids weigh in with their thoughts, adding a welcome dimension. Presented in DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 on Blu-ray and LPCM stereo, extras include nine bonus songs performed live. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)