Search - Doobie Brothers :: One Step Closer

Thank God for Michael McDonald!!!

Marianne McDermott | Lacombe, LA USA | 10/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have read all 13 reviews of this album and believe you me, if it was not for Michael McDonald and his singing and musical talents, this album would be down the drane!!!

Every track on this album is perfect. I would not have bought this album if I had not heard the song, "Real Love". I just purchased the MP3 album. This whole album shimmers like glass. Nothing against the original members of the Doobies, but with McDonald on board, "This Train

is gonna Keep on Rollin"!!! Way to go, Michael!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Nothin' Stoppin' The Doobies But Themselves

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 05/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Over the years there's been a train of thought that once Michael McDonald joined the band they increasingly became a backup band for his writing and Pat Simmons took a back seat musically. The answer of course is....not really. Michael joining the band only allowed the band to put his jazzy funk stylings within the bands already finely honed Southern Rock boogie style.After three albums of getting all of this together the Doobie's,already having perfected their sound from this era,seem to have totally integrated that style here-what turned out to be their final album.The presense of sax player Cornelious Bumpus in the band really did them good in many places.The rhythms the band provided to the carnivalesque jazz/funk-pop of "Dedicate This Heart","No Stoppin' Us Now","Just In Time" and "One By One" really show how so much of what was called "soft rock" or "blue eyed soul" was often enough some form of funk or jazz-funk in disguise.There's still time to throw down another pop smash in "Real Love";it is one of the poppier tunes on this set but it's still plenty heated up. A bit of the old booging style shows itself on the title track and especially on the gutsy "Keep This Train A-Rollin".The instrumental "South Bay Strut" not only keeps the California funky jazz-pop thing rolling along but gives Bumpus as real time to shine too. This is not the hardest rocking of the Doobie albums by any means.But for lovers of funk or early 80's pop-jazz will find this is full of treasures and for those Doobie fans who can appreciate those attitudes and musical styles will find a lot here to soak up."

A True Group Effort

Rock Dinosaur | Boynton Beach, Florida | 03/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Few groups are able to drastically change their musical direction and maintain their popularity. Somehow, the Doobies were able to pull it off, with great success. I'm sure it was difficult for a lot of fans to swallow the sweet soulful sounds of Michael McDonald when they were expecting the chunky rhythms of Tom Johnston's guitar. No doubt the Doobies lost fans from the Johnston camp but gained listeners who appreciated the new sound.



One Step Closer continued a string of albums tailor made for top 40/smooth jazz type stations. Overall, the songs are catchy, and you get the feeling that all the members left their mark on the album. Real Love and One Step Closer are the clear standouts, but Keep This Train A-Rollin'and Just In Time are excellent tracks as well."