Livin' on the Fault Line

by The Doobie Brothers

Overview

Livin' on the Fault Line fell between two of the Doobie Brothers' biggest-selling records. The album had no hit singles, and one-time leader Tom Johnston kept a markedly low profile (this would be his last record with the group, not including a later reunion). Despite this, Livin' on the Fault Line contains some of the most challenging and well-developed music of the band's career, with Patrick Simmons and Michael McDonald really stepping to the fore. There's a vague mood of melancholia running through the songs, as well as a definite jazz influence. This is most obvious on the title track, which has several instrumental passages that showcase the guitar abilities of Simmons and Jeff Baxter. Similarly, "Chinatown" is a spooky mood piece not unlike the smooth fusion of late-period Steely Dan or Little Feat. But "Echoes of Love" and "Nothin' But a Heartache" are both intelligent, glistening pop songs that confirm Simmons and McDonald as first-rate tunesmiths. The record slips a little at the end, with a plodding R&B song and a Piedmont guitar instrumental thrown in as filler. Overall, though, this is a chapter in the Doobie Brothers' history that deserves a second look. ~ Peter Kurtz

Product Details

Release Date:	04/14/2023
Label:	Wea Japan
UPC:	4943674371839
Rank:	75120

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Doobie Brothers   Primary Artist
Patrick Simmons   Guitar,Vocals
Ted Templeman   Percussion
Keith Knudsen   Drums,Vocals
Bobby LaKind   Congas,Vocals,Conductor
John Hartman   Drums
Rosemary Butler   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Norton Buffalo   Harmonica
Michael McDonald   Vocals,Keyboards
Tiran Porter   Bass,Vocals
Tom Johnston   Guitar,Vocals
Jeff Baxter   Guitar,Guitar (Steel)
Victor Feldman   Percussion,Vibraphone
Dan Armstrong   Sitar,Sitar (Electric)
Maureen McDonald   Vocals,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Patrick Simmons   Composer
Ted Templeman   Producer
Keith Knudsen   Composer
Billy Livsey   Composer
Lamont Dozier   Composer
Carly Simon   Composer
Earl Randle   Composer
Eddie Holland   Composer
Graham Lyle   Composer
David Paich   String Arrangements
Michael McDonald   Composer
Tiran Porter   Composer
Brian Holland   Composer
Willie Mitchell   Composer
Donn Landee   Engineer
Terry Britten   Composer
Jeff Baxter   Composer
Bruce Steinberg   Photography,Cover Design,Art Direction