Opening for Journey on this beautiful clear night in Chula Vista was none other than The Doobie Brothers. After a few minutes to get seated – it was time for The Doobie Brothers to take the stage. These guys were a staple of the summer concert scene when I was growing up in Southern California. The 70’s and 80’s were very kind to this ensemble of musicians. Known for their dual drummer set up – the band hit the stage already wound up and plowed through a nearly one hour set that showcased hit after hit after hit. With a career that has spanned five decades – the depth of their catalogue is that of legend and they hit all the high notes of that celebrated career. Original members Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons keep the bands vision true and the level of musicianship on the stage – is staggering. There was everything to some beautiful Sax soloing to some great fiddle playing and beautiful Harmonies.
Opening their slot was a chugging take of “Jesus Is Just Alright,” which was followed by superb interpretations of “Rollin’ down the Highway,” “Take me in your Arms,” “Dark eyed Cajun Woman,” “Sweet Maxine” and a great Blues Jam with some phenomenal Funky Bass lines. The voices of guitarist Tommy Johnston, guitarist Patrick Simmons and bassist John Cowan were peerless, both as stand-alone voices and as harmony parts.
For the always-outstanding “Takin’ It to the Streets,” Simmons and Cowan shared lead-vocal duties that were originally handled by departed Doobie member Michael McDonald. Cowan’s bass dug low in register for half of the song, while Cowan’s flexible fingers climbed high on his bass neck for higher notes usually reserved for guitar.
Their entire set was a series of highlights but standing out amongst all the awesome songs was a perfect rendition of “Black Water” into “Long Train Runnin’” that had the now near capacity crowd cheering and singing at the top of their lungs. After the crowd got fired up along comes the Heavy classic “China Grove” which always gets your blood flowing. Finishing their set with a high-powered rendition of “Listen to the Music” – the crowd was now primed and ready for Journey – The Doobie Brothers had done their job and done it well.
Doobie Brothers setlist:
- Jesus is just alright
- Rockin’ Down the Highway
- Take me in your Arms
- Dark Eyed Cajun Woman
- Spirit
- Sweet Maxine
- Eyes of Silver
Clear as the Driven Snow- Bill Payne keyboard solo
- Takin’ it to the streets
- The Doctor
- Black Water
- Long Train Runnin’
- China Grove
- Without You
- Listen to the Music