I Just Might Pass This Way Again...

Waittaminute, you say, is the One Buck Guy a low-life no-good egg-suckin' idea-stealin' copy-cattin' scoundrel? Didn't our old buddy Fraq just recently feature the Doobies and now you're doing the same? Yes, and no, der friends. For one thing, this album has been laying in the 'OBG Muisc To Post' folder for the better part of forever. However, it's true that the friendly suggestion to give the classic Doobies' line-up's classic foursome (I also love the debut, even if it is not particularly representative) made me do exactly that, grooving those last days to the Doobie's best. So not only was I reminded that Toulouse Street was and still is my favorite, but also he little warts that always made me think we can make it just that tiny smidgen better. Not with the music, that is untouchable. I'd say pound for pound, song for song, this is the best and most consistent of the Doobie Brothers' records. 

But, and you know it's been a couple of weeks, so that ol' hobyhorse of mine is gettin' a little anxious in the stable, so I I'll have to take it out for a ride. Yeah, you know what that means: Ol' OBG is gonna bore people with seuencing discussions again. Good or bad, some things never change. There were always to or three little details that bothered me about how the songs on Toulouse Street were put on the record. Why were the two Pat Simmons-written numbers - the most unusual of the album - both clustered together in the first thrid of the album. Why isn't "Disciple", the big 6+ minute rock monster that they salvaged from their earlier days, not the run-out groove to end the record on a high note? Instead it sounds like Tom Johnston sneaking out for a quick solo encore with the short vignette "Snake Man".  

Another smallish issue is aggravated by the way we listen to this album nowadays. Back in the vinyl days, you at least had to get up and flipp the sides before "Cotton Mouth" gives way to "Don't Start Me To Talkin'". But still, why are the two horn-supported numbers clustered together in the middle? I know, I know, these are all small gripes, and rather typical OBG gripes. But still, rather than gripe on, I do something about it, even if it's comparatively minor stuff.

Here is, thus, the resequenced and I think more balanced version of Toulouse Street. Nothing added or subtracted, the same batch of great songs, but with more flow. The two big hits "Listen To The Music" and "Rockin' Down The Highway" - both quite similar-sounding - are now spearated to be the respective side openers. The two horn numbers are separated from each other, so are the Simmons songs (though not by much). The title song makes more sense as a side closer, while "Disciple" is now the barnburning album closer it was destined to be. Now just place the two acoustic numbers "White Sun" and "Snake Man" in an appropriate place on both vinyl sides - et voilà. I of course didn't touch the great album cover - as much a classic as the album. 

Toulouse Street is a very fine album any which way you listen to it - but maybe just a tad finer this way. Anyway, you've got your instructions, folks: oooooh, listen to the music...