#MusicMonday – November 5, 2018

It’s Music Monday, and I just went to another concert!

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Joke’s on you.  You probably thought this was another Chicago-themed Music Monday.

Think again!

I was on my way to Valley Forge/Oaks, Pennsylvania in mid-October, on my way to RetroCon 2018 when I spotted a billboard on I-76 West for The Doobie Brothers performing at the Borgata in Atlantic City.  I texted my mom (I was not driving, so don’t worry!) immediately because of the billboard.  She said that if I wanted to go, she’d be happy to accompany me.  I was back and forth about seeing this concert, but last Friday I decided I wanted to go.

So we did.

Doobies Concert Selfie

In the grand tradition of attending concerts where I drive down the average age AND watch guys in their 70s prove they still have it, I had a fantastic time.  And so did mom.  I think she was impressed that I knew most of these songs.

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As you know, my music taste is pretty varied, and not limited to one or two songs by any of the artists I listen to.  I listen to whole Best Of albums, but I’ll seek out regular albums just to find hidden gems.

This concert played like a combination of both Best Of and “other songs from our albums you may know, but we haven’t sung in awhile,” which really lead to “oh, I’ve heard this song before!” reactions a few times.

The Doobie Brothers were actually featured on a previous Music Monday (“China Grove” – September 11, 2017), singing about a crazy small town populated by people looking to the East, a sheriff, and some samurai swords.  They actually sang this during the encore, and it was the “September” of my mom’s wish list for the evening.  This is a reference to the Chicago / Earth Wind and Fire concert when my mom only wanted to hear “September.”  I had a similar wish for the Kenny Loggins concert – a whole list, actually.  He delivered, though I’m still convinced he forgot to sing “Heart to Heart.”

Here nor there.

Anyway, The Doobies, and my Music Monday choice.

“Black Water” is a single from The Doobie Brothers’ 1974 album What Once Were Vices Are Now Habits, released in 1975 and the first of two #1 singles that year.  Vocalist Patrick Simmons (one of the group’s original members), not only provided the vocals, but also composed the song.

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“Black Water” was based on Simmons’ perception of the south from reading Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, but the lyrics subsequent to the first chorus draw on his experience of visiting New Orleans (which happened in 1971).

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When released as the B-Side to “Another Park, Another Sunday,” the single charted and peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.  Released on its own in 1975, it reached #1 on March 15, 1975 (#15 year ending 1975).  “Black Water” is also notable as being one of the songs performed on the sitcom What’s Happening!!, when the band made an appearance on the show.

Yeah, that really happened.

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No, I didn’t believe it either.

Anyway, you’ll be a believer in the calmness of a river and the Mississippi moon, when you click play!

Oh, and because I knew this was going to be my Music Monday choice, I filmed this being sung live.  Because how could I not?

From sleepy backward towns to calm Mississippi waters, the Doobie Brothers really know how to sing it, don’t you think?  The best part was, they really still sing it like it is the 1970s.  It’s nice to be able to see a group that decided together was better than disbanded.

On that lovely note, have a great Music Monday, and enjoy the music!

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