The Doobie Brothers brought half a century of good vibes and timeless harmony to NPR’s Tiny Desk, turning the office space into a soulful jam session. Kicking off with “Takin’ It to the Streets,” Tom Johnston grinned as he told the crowd, “It’s not like this at gigs. We just played up in New York at Jones Beach last night and y’all are outdoing them. It’s pretty cool.” With that, the crowd was locked in, grooving to the familiar, feel-good energy only The Doobie Brothers can deliver.
Joined by Michael McDonald, Patrick Simmons, John McFee, and a powerhouse rhythm section, the band mixed new and classic. Their fresh track “Angels & Mercy” fit right in beside singalongs like “Black Water” and “Listen to the Music.” Fifty years in, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers still sound like summer on the highway — warm, easy, and unstoppable.