Doobie Brothers’ Pat Simmons on ‘Walk This Road’
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For the first time in the history of legendary rock band the Doobie Brothers, Maui has a significant presence on one of their recordings. Their new album "Walk This Road" closes with Pat Simmons' tribute "Lahaina."
The Haiku-based musician was on tour with the band when the devastating Maui fires happened and began composing the song in response. Featuring all the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald, guest drummer Mick Fleetwood, Jake Shimabukuro and Henry Kapono, "Lahaina" was previously released as a single with proceeds benefiting relief efforts.
"I wasn't really sure whether in the end, if it was going to make the record," said Simmons. "It's outside of our normal commercial kind of thing. It was meant as more of a tribute memorial. It ended up in a good spot, rounding out the whole thing."
Simmons had once previously referenced Maui on a Doobie's album in 2000, with the instrumental "Five Corners," which Haiku folks will probably recognize.
One of their most memorable albums in years, "Walk This Road" will be released June 6. With songs composed by Simmons, Tom Johnston and McDonald, it showcases the band's diverse stylistic perspectives in a cohesive work reflecting the band's classic sound.
Fifty-five years since their formation, they still sound great.
"Everybody's feeling good," said Simmons. "It's nice to play some new music. As much as anything, having some excuse to play some new songs live is kind of what you're always most excited about."
He is especially enthused about having McDonald back recording with the band. McDonald, whose hits with the band included "Takin' It to the Streets" and "What a Fool Believes," officially rejoined in 2020.
"That's really how it started out, having him come back and play with us," he said. "We always tried to do something of Mike's, so one of us had covered them -- usually me singing and I never really felt totally comfortable with that. There's only really one Mike, and he's got such an amazing distinctive voice.
"I was curious to see how he would respond to being back and what he would bring to everything, not only his own songs, but our songs as well. And you know Mike never disappoints. He's such a great keyboard player and fantastic singer. The backgrounds on all the songs he's singing are pretty incredible and then he played some great keyboards all over the place. There's something distinctive in terms of how he approaches things within this band context."
Before the official album release, the band released the terrific, soulful McDonald song "Learn to Let Go." Their first new original song to feature McDonald on lead vocals in 45 years, it's an instant classic that would have been a highlight on any Doobies' record.
"It's a song about what might be the hardest lesson we learn and one of the last things we do in this life," McDonald reported.
"I think that particular sentiment probably has been said again and again. In order to free yourselves and maybe have some closure with things, you've got to let it go," said Simmons. "It's more a general concept of learning to let go of a relationship in order to move on."
Another killer track, the upbeat, rocking bluesy title song about persevering, co-composed by McDonald and producer John Shanks, features gospel/R&B star Mavis Staples of the Staple Singers on vocals. Then there's Johnston's uplifting "Call Me" with a great funky horn arrangement.
"That's going to be one of the ones we'll be doing live," he said. "Tommy just really did a great job on his songs, as well as great solos. I love Tom's songs."
Besides "Lahaina," Simmons' contributions to the album include the rocking "Angels and Mercy" and "State of Grace," which "is kind of a more reflective country thing," he explained. "My intention was to talk about finding a place within yourself where you can find a certain amount of peace that has no reference to anything other than the moment you're in. Living in the moment is much more meaningful as an ultimate goal. In the last moments of your life, what's going to be important? Not all the things that came before or the things that will never be. It's going to be that moment. Those are the moments to treasure, every moment that you're here and can appreciate. That's the ultimate blessing that you can have."
The Doobie Brothers' "Walk This Road" will be released June 6 on Rhino Records. They head out on a Mainland tour with Jimmy Buffet's Coral Reefer Band in August, after shows in Europe including a sold out concert at London's historic Hyde Park on July 13 with Jeff Lynne's ELO.