By DONNA BALANCIA
The Doobie Brothers show brotherly love with the new 10-track album called “Walk This Road,” set for a June release. The group has released the video plus single “Learn to Let Go” and renowned singer Michael McDonald went on social media recently to talk about the music.
McDonald, Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons and John McFee brought the vibes into a Los Angeles studio to create the John Shanks-produced “Walk This Road,” a collection that has been eagerly anticipated by fans. The upcoming release marks a milestone in the history of members of the 54-year-old band. The Doobie Brothers celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021.
McDonald took to the airwaves to deliver a message to the fans directly, describing the track “Learn to Let Go.”
“My friends Pat Simmons, Tom Johnston and John McFee and I have just finished the most recent Doobie Brothers album, an album entitled ‘Walk This Road,'” McDonald said. “And from that we’re releasing one of the tracks called “Learn to Let Go.’
“‘Learn to Let Go’ is a song about more or less one of the hardest lessons we learn in this life especially where love is concernced and probably the last decision we make on this earthly plane,” he said. “The song is not all that serious. We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to seeing you all this summer and as always thank you so much.”
Check out The Doobie Brothers on Spotify:
The band said recurring themes on the album include recovery and enlightenment and “waking up to see the important things you’ve been missing,” Simmons added. “The title track on the album, ‘Walk This Road,’ featuring Mavis Staples, embodies a sense of hope and togetherness, in terms of searching for the right path forward.”
Besides the energetic Staples, additional guest artists on the record include Henry Kapono, Jake Shimabukuro and Mick Fleetwood, who play on the track “Lahaina.”
The Doobie Brothers will be touring this summer, including stops in Detroit on Aug. 4, Burgettstown, Penn. on Aug. 6, Holmdel, N.J. on Aug. 7, Bristow, Va. on Aug. 9 and Wantagh, N.Y. at Jones Beach Theater on Aug. 10. Check out more tour dates here.
Pre-order “Walk This Road” here.
The album is expected to arrive on or before June 6.
Track Listing:
1. Walk This Road
2. Angels & Mercy
3. Call Me
4. Learn To Let Go
5. State Of Grace
6. Here To Stay
7. The Kind That Lasts
8. New Orleans
9. Speed of Pain
10. Lahaina
Check out ‘Learn to Let Go’ here: