The Doobie Brothers will release the reworking of their greatest hits with country music guest stars on November 4 via Arista Nashville.
Conceived by David Huff, the album was made in Nashville with some of the country world’s best session players. Many of the Doobies from throughout their history returned for the project, including Michael McDonald.
Tom Johnston told Lagniappe Mobile about the production:
It’s a best-of, if you will, but it’s re-done by incredible Nashville players in the studio, who were incredibly good and fast. We had three guitar players going at one time, and Michael McDonald playing keyboard on his tunes. So, we would go in and cut the track using one or two takes, and it was done. It had guitars, drums, bass and pedal-steel, and it was phenomenal. I’ve never done anything like that before, and I was just blown away at how efficient and good they were. Then, we had the artists themselves come in. Most of the time, we weren’t there to witness their performances. I was in L.A. when Blake Shelton did his performance. I got to see Chris Young do the vocal on the song he did. So, it’s been an interesting project and having heard the results, I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised.
A film crew was also in the studio for much of the recording to document the production.
The track list and guest stars:
Black Water featuring the Zac Brown Band
China Grove featuring Chris Young
Jesus Is Just Alright featuring Casey James
Listen to the Music featuring Blake Shelton with Hunter Hayes on guitar
Long Train Runnin’ featuring Toby Keith
Nobody featuring Charlie Worsham
Rockin’ Down the Highway featuring Brad Paisley
South City Midnight Lady featuring Jerrod Niemann
Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While) featuring Tyler Farr
Takin’ It to the Streets featuring Love and Theft
What a Fool Believes featuring Sara Evans
You Belong to Me featuring Amanda Sudano Ramirez (Johnnyswim) with Vince Gill on guitar
