Tonight was another great concert by the Doobies. After the roar of motocycle
engines got the crowd ready, the Doobies tore threw a number of Doobie
classics as well as new tunes too.
The sold out concert had it all..... good music, great showmanship, an
appreciative crowd that wanted to dance and even a fight during the final
song.
As promised in an earlier e-mail, my 10-year-old son wore a Doobie shirt that
I wore at about the same age back in the 70s. My wife and I guessed that the
shirt was probably 29 years old. Maybe the next concert I will find some more
old Doobie shirts. I've got a stash in the attic.
A few highlights..... I promise not the name the songs since I know all of
you guys want to experience the concert firsthand.
The stage configuration allowed the Doobies close contact with the crowd. The
stage curved out to the front row tables. People sitting closest to the stage
could sit with their elbows on the stage. That allowed for great interaction
between the Doobies and the crowd.
Patrick Simmons got the crowd going early when he walked from the stage on to
one of the tables in the theater. Her performed a good balancing act while
playing the guitar solo. Patrick was also funny while introducing their first
new song. He told the crowd that this was about the third time they have
played the song live..... He said "if we screwed up that it wasn't his fault.
That is what my kids always say."
Tom Johnston was a bundle of energy throughout the show. Keith and Big Mike
were great on the drums. I'm constantly amazed at the playing ability of John
McFee.... the guy can play anything that has strings. The more I see this
rendition of the Doobies the more I appreciate Skylark on bass and Mr. Russo
is great on the sax.
We met up with a few folks who were going backstage (special thanks to Cris
for getting the Isbell family backstage). Once backstage, we quickly said
hello to a passing Keith Knudsen and Tom Johnson. We stopped and talked to
Big Mike about the show and the upcoming album. Then, we made our way to
Patrick Simmons.
Patrick had a nice reunion with my son Patrick. The two had met two years ago
that the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Patrick Simmons is my son's namesake and
it is always cool to see the two meet.
Patrick was the same gracious host that he has always been backstage. I have
to say the my Patrick is pretty comfortable around the guys. He approached
Pat Simmons with a huge smile and said hello. After a quick hug, my son
informed Patrick that his hair has grown more.
We had a nice conversation. It seems Patrick could see the fight between the
two guys while the Doobies were playing the final song. He told all of us
about a concert many moons ago when he saw a fight. Patrick said they were
playing and a woman approach a man to tell him to sit down. It turns out that
the guy turns and hits the woman. Patrick said he was close to the edge of
the stage so he just reached out and Konked the man on top of the head with
his guitar. "The guy sort of spun around a couple of times and fell and
disappeared," Patrick said.
We talked about the new album and the songs on it. Patrick promised a very
different CD. He said there are a 3-4 fast songs, about 4 ballads and a few
mid-tempo songs. He said it really wasn't planned that way but it sort of
just happened. From what we heard tonight, the CD will be very good.
One of the guys backstage gave my Patrick a Pat Simmons pick, Skylark guitar
pick and a playlist which Pat Simmons kindly autographed. I have a mini
office in the garage of our house. It is sort of my Doobie shrine. I guess we
have a few more things to hand up in the office now.
It was great to see the show. It was outstanding that once again the Isbell
family was invited and welcomed backstage. Before leaving the two Patricks
had to stand side by side. It seems Patrick wanted to have a reference to
judge how much my Patrick had grown since the last meeting. Right now, my
Patrick is up to Patrick's biceps. Who knows with the growth spurts that my
Patrick is having, they might be standing eye-to-eye before you know it.
It seems my Patrick likes picking on Big Mike..... He had his hair down and
my son told him that he looks like (excuse the misspelling) Quiag Gan Gin of
Star War the Phantom Menace fame. As we were leaving the Grand Casino, we ran
into Big Mike and Mark Russo on the walkway over U.S. 90 connecting the
theater to the hotel. My son had to goose Big Mike before leaving. As we
rounded the corner, a crowd of people started cheering and applauding the two
Doobies from the hotel bar. A great night for everyone on the Mississippi
Gulf Coast.
We are hoping for a return engagement real soon.
Tim on MS Gulf Coast
_________________________
To unsubscribe from this list, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with
"unsubscribe doobiefans-list" in the body.
