I wanted to see the Doobie Brothers on this last Concert of their 50th Anniversary Tour.
I saw them a few years ago at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam, BC and they were just excellent in that small 1000 seat Theater. (Amazing!)
I knew things would be different in the 8500 seat Abbotsford Center, but the biggest shock of all was there was no Tom Johnson (Guitar and Lead Vocals on many tunes!). Someone should have advised their Customers when such a key member has to bow out due health issues long after the tickets are purchased. When I bought the tickets (for us and another couple) ages ago, his photo with the main members of the band was on the Ticketmaster website promoting the band's show. The same photo was used on the purchase confirmation sent to me in March and again on the reminder 10 days before the show, and again one day before.
The photo shows from left to right Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnson (in the forefront), Michael McDonald and John McFee.
Another issue was the parking was a disaster. Traffic control was not well done at all, and they should fix that for the poor folks who attend shows there. The parking was so bad, we were late and the show was into the third tune as we got seated.
But we soon were into it along with a packed arena that must of been sold out! The sound, which had a muddy bottom end early in the show, improved as the show went on, and folks really appreciated the distinctness of each artist and their instrument was easily heard. The Saxophone solos were more numerous than I remembered, but Marc Russo was excellent as always on them.
The
set list is already posted on line but they did a blend of their hits, and some others that weren't expected. The lack of Tom Johnson definitely influenced the set list, as did the inclusion of Michael McDonald who typically doesn't always tour with the Band. Michael was a treat except we were a bit put off on the way they presented "Taking It To The Streets" in the Encore tunes. Instead of nailing it like they did on the album of the same name, Michael "made it his own" as one of our friends put it.
Another oddity was playing a cover of Steely Dan's Pretzel Logic to end the show. They did a great job of it, but to end the show there should have been one of their classic rockers to bring the Tour to an end, and it would have brought the house down.
Missing Tom Johnston, who wrote and sang so many of The Doobie Brothers' early hits, including "Listen to the Music", "Jesus Is Just Alright", "Rockin' Down the Highway", "China Grove", "Long Train Runnin'", "Another Park, Another Sunday", "Eyes of Silver" and "Take Me in Your Arms"; caused others in the Band to step up and try to cover for his absence.
I'm a fan of the Band since their first Album and this, although a commendable effort, didn't quite hit the mark for me, while my wife and our friends didn't seem to notice it all. The Guitar work was fine but where I missed him most was the strength and energy of his voice, and overall presence on stage.
Maybe next time (?) he'll be back on stage with the Doobie Brothers. If so, I'd like to see them again.
