The Doobie Brothers - Minute By Minute (1978)

NUMBER ONE ALBUMS WEEK (MAY 5-11, 2014)

On the cover photo, Michael McDonald doesn't look to happy to be here, but we're glad he showed up. Rolling Stone magazine titled its review of this album "The Doobie Brothers dabble on and on, but Michael McDonald's great" (see below). Even without checking the credits, you can easily separate songs McDonald wrote from those written by guitarist Patrick Simmons. And quite frankly, the blue-eyed soul McDonald songs are far better than the hippie boogie groove of the others. Earlier Doobie albums seemed to rely on the solid playing of the musicians, this one seems to rely more on the songwriting. Rumor has it that the band was understandably frustrated after this album was completed and were ready to call it quits. Then sales took off and, not surprisingly, they decide to stick it out a little longer. Can't blame them.

The group's most commercially successful album, Minute By Minute was nominated for Album of the Year (losing to 52nd Street) and singles from the album won four Grammy awards:

1. Record of the Year (What A Fool Believes)
2. Song of the Year (What A Fool Believes)
3. Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocals (What A Fool Believes)
4. Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus (Minute By Minute)

Press of the time:

• Robert Christgau (B): "Tight playing combines with moderately intricate rhythms and harmonies for sexy, dancey pop music of undeniable craft (at least on side one)."
• Billboard: "10 exceptional cuts based in rock but influenced heavily with jazz"
• CashBox: "latest offering should fare...well"
  
• Record World: "satisfying album highlighted by the sinewy vocals of Michael McDonald"
• Rolling Stone: "there's no question that the new record's best songs are all primarily by Michael McDonald"

 

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard Top 200: #1 (5 weeks between Apr 7 - May 12, 1979)
• CashBox: #2
• Rolling Stone: #1

Tracks:  What A Fool Believes and Minute By Minute are both soft rock favorites of mine. The electric piano intro of Minute By Minute is particularly memorable. Hard core DB fans will tell you that What A Fool Believes, written by McDonald and Kenny Loggins, doesn't sound like a DB song, but it is so good that doesn't matter much to me. The Steely Dan-ish Dependin' On You was a minor hit (#25) and is also good. Of the others, stick with the McDonald tunes (just ignore the "God sez" lyrics of Carole Bayer Sager on How Do The Fools Survive? and enjoy the sweet guitar solo).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
The Very Best Of (2007)
Takin' It To The Streets (1976)