The New Oldies: #3 Album of the Year 2021: The Doobie Brothers: Liberté

Something seems to be missing these days. It seems that record companies, radio stations, and streaming services are pushing some the great established musicians to the background. As a result these veteran artists are not getting the attention they deserve. Enter the Top 10 Album Countdown: The New Oldies. The main point is simple – to make this list you must have at least 20 years of producing established music. The album by the artist must have been released between November 1st, 2020 and October 31st, 2021.

#3 The Doobie Brothers: Liberté

Following a delayed tour in 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the band due to COVID-19, the Doobie Brothers would go back into the studio to release and put together their fifteenth studio album, Liberté. If you haven’t heard this album, you are missing out on some amazing tracks.

Liberté essentially is a collaboration between Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, both who sound like they are at they 40 years younger. It is the Doobies first new album of original material in 11 years. The album was produced by John Shanks, who also co-wrote all of the tracks.

The Doobie Brothers have always been a fusion of Southern Rock with R&B. There’s no Michael McDonald (although he is touring on the now resumed 50th anniversary tour), so there is less of the R&B sound. While the Southern Rock sound is present, there are some other surprises that show the Doobies going out of their comfort zone. Cannonball has an indie vibe to it, Wherever we Go and Shine Your Light have almost is a throwback to 80s Rock. As for some R&B, We are More Than Love will bring a little bit of that – but as I mentioned that is not the focus.

I’m not sure what the future of the Doobie Brothers go, but Liberté is one of their strongest efforts in decades – and that includes 1989’s very good comeback album Cycles. It’s a miscarriage of justice how this album didn’t garner more attention.