Review and photos by Alex Kluft
The Doobie Brothers played a fantastic show at the Ravinia Festival, their eighth appearance at the oldest outdoor music festival in the United States. The band joined summer concert series that included Tony Bennett’s 85th Birthday Celebration, Chicago, Peter Frampton, Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, Lyle Lovett, Robert Plant and Deep Purple. After seeing many concerts at outdoor venues, I would say Ravinia’s acoustics are among the top in the nation.
The Doobies kicked off their set with “Jesus Is Just Alright.” All these years later, and they sound better than ever. The band is led by original guitarists and singers Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons. The lineup is rounded out by keyboardist Guy Allison, bassist John Cowan, guitarist John McFee, saxophonist Mark Russo, and drummers Tony Pia and Ed Toth.
The show included such classics as “Dangerous,” “Rockin’ Down The Highway,” “Takin’ It To The Streets,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “China Grove” and “Listen To The Music.” They returned for an encore and played several songs off their latest album, World Gone Crazy. Simmons remarked, “We have a new download called World Gone Crazy since there aren’t albums anymore.”
They played “Clear As The Driven Snow,” “Nobody,” “Far From Home” (dedicated to the troops) and “Chateau.” I have seen the Doobie Brothers three times, and they always amaze me, whether it’s with their outstanding guitar and sax solos, or by how many of their songs I know the words to. They are truly a vintage rock band.
SETLIST:
Jesus Is Just Alright
Dangerous
Rockin’ Down The Highway
Rock Me
Clear As The Driven Snow
Nobody
Far From Home
World Gone Crazy
Chateu
Keyboard Solo/ Takin It To The Streets
Don’t Start Me Talkin’
All I Know
Black Water
Long Train Runnin’
Encore:
China Grove
Without You
Listen To The Music
