Stampede

by The Doobie Brothers

Overview

Talk about greatness -- the Doobie Brothers, with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter added to their lineup, delivered their best album to date helped by a fairly big hit, though "Take Me in Your Arms" never did anything close to its predecessors despite some chords and modulations that recalled "Black Water" ever so slightly. Stampede's virtue was its musicianship, which, in addition to new member Baxter, was also showcased in the guises of some impressive guests. The Doobie Brothers' rootsiest album to date, Stampede was virtuoso soulful countrified rock of a gritty nature, crossing over into blues as well as reaching back to a raw, traditional rock & roll sound that wouldn't have sounded too out of place 20 years earlier. That was the opener, the searing "Sweet Maxine," which just might've made a good single with an edit or two to bring it down to three and a half minutes; the record gets better with the bouncing "Neal's Fandango," which is highlighted by lyrical as well as instrumental acrobatics on the verses and a delicious guitar and piano break. "Texas Lullaby" is one of the prettiest pieces of country rock (though it's a little more "Western rock") to come out of the genre since the Byrds and the Beau Brummels had treaded into it eight years earlier, and gets a magnificently soulful performance from Tom Johnston. And speaking of soul, Curtis Mayfield is the arranger on Johnston's hard-driving "Music Man." The group strips down to its acoustic basics for "Slat Key Soquel Rag," which could have been an outtake from the group's self-titled debut album; Maria Muldaur is the guest vocalist on "I Cheat the Hangman," representing Patrick Simmons' songwriting at its most ethereal. Baxter's "Precis" was the group's nod to classical and Spanish guitar technique, and "Rainy Day Crossroad Blues" provides guest artist Ry Cooder with a gorgeous canvas on which to paint his slide guitar licks. And the album lands with its feet firmly in 1970s-style roots rock on "I've Been Workin' on You" and "Double Dealin' Four Flusher." ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	04/14/2023
Label:	Wea Japan
UPC:	4943674371815
Rank:	7214

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Doobie Brothers   Primary Artist
Keith Knudsen   Vocals (Background),Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter   Guitar
Patrick Simmons   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Ted Templeman   Percussion
Maria Muldaur   Vocals
Jessica Smith   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Bill Payne   Organ,Piano,Keyboards,Piano (Electric)
Conte Candoli   Trumpet
Ry Cooder   Guitar,Bottleneck Guitar
John Hartman   Drums,Percussion
Pete Candoli   Trumpet
Venetta Fields   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Bobbye Hall   Congas,Percussion
Tiran Porter   Bass,Vocals,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
Tom Johnston   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Sherlie Matthews   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Karl Himmel   Drums,Percussion
Jeff Baxter   Guitar,Guitar (Steel)
Victor Feldman   Marimba,Percussion

Technical Credits

Jill Maggid   Photography
Barbara Casado   Design
Rich Tufo   Orchestration
John Casado   Design
Ed Thrasher   Art Direction
Michael Maggid   Photography
Hideki Masubuchi   Liner Notes
Patrick Simmons   Composer
Travis Turk   Engineer
Ted Templeman   Producer
Lamont Dozier   Composer
Curtis Mayfield   Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Eddie Holland   Composer
Nick DeCaro   String Arrangements
Tom Johnston   Composer
Brian Holland   Composer
Donn Landee   Engineer
Paul Riser   Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Jeff Baxter   Composer
Richard Tufo   Orchestration