Sevens the Easy Way (series)

What Were Once Vices....

by The Doobie Brothers

Product Description:

The Doobie Brothers: Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston (vocals, guitar); Tiran Porter (vocals, bass instrument); John Hartman (drums).

Additional personnel: Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (pedal steel guitar); Arlo Guthrie (autoharp); Novi (viola); Andrew Love (saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet); James Booker (piano); Bill Payne (keyboards); Milt Holland (marimba, pandeiro, tabla); Michael Hossack (drums); Eddie Guzman (congas, timbales).

Recording information: Wally Heider Studio, San Francisco, California; Warner Brothers Studios, Hollywood, CA; Burbank Studios, Burbank, California.

WHAT WERE ONCE VICES ARE NOW HABITS, the follow-up to the Doobies' massive commercial breakthrough, THE CAPTAIN AND ME, boasts one of the great album titles in rock history. The album also features a strong bunch of songs in the same stylistic vein as its immediate predecessors. The big hit here, of course, is "Black Water," an infectious piece of jazzy folk rock with a killer a cappella gospel-chorus section. "Song to See You Through" is the Doobies' version of a '60s soul ballad, with the Memphis Horns adding a deep, Southern-fried feel.

"Eyes of Silver" lopes along on a guitar-driven "Listen to the Music" groove, while "Down in the Track" is a straight-ahead, mid-tempo blues rocker with a cameo appearance by New Orleans piano legend James Booker. Best of all is the lovely "Another Park, Another Sunday," whose folk-style guitars and harmonies give country-rock contemporaries like the Eagles a good run for their money. Though not as consistent and essential as THE CAPTAIN AND ME, WHAT WERE ONCE VICES still has plenty to offer, capturing the band at the crest of their early-'70s peak.