THE DOOBIE BROTHERS - NEAL'S FANDANGO

NEAL'S FANDANGO

THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

SONGWRITER: PATRICK SIMMONS

HOW: LIVE IN 1996

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: STAMPEDE

LABEL: WARNER BROS RECORDS

GENRE: CLASSIC ROCK

YEAR: 1975

Stampede is the fifth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The album was released on April 25, 1975, by Warner Bros. Records. It was the final album by the band before Michael McDonald replaced Tom Johnston as lead vocalist and primary songwriter. The album has been certified gold by the RIAA.

Stampede showed the band diversifying elements of their sound more than ever before, combining elements of their old sound as well as country-rock, funk and folk music. Many guest musicians contributed on the album including Maria Muldaur, Ry Cooder and Curtis Mayfield.

The first and most successful single released from this album was "Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)" on April 23, 1975, a classic Motown tune written by the legendary songwriting trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Tom Johnston had wanted to record the song for several years. "I thought that would be a killer track to cover," he said. "It's probably one of my favorite songs of all time. I thought our version came out great."

The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band from San Jose, California. The group has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. It has been active for five decades, with its greatest success in the 1970s.

The band's history can be roughly divided into three eras. From 1970 to 1975 it featured lead vocalist Tom Johnston and a mainstream rock and roll sound with elements of folk, country and R&B. Johnston quit the group in 1975, and was replaced by Michael McDonald, whose interest in soul music changed the band's sound until it broke up in 1982. The Doobie Brothers reformed in 1987 with Johnston back in the fold and are still active, with occasional contributions from McDonald. Every incarnation of the group emphasized vocal harmonies. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.

Well, a travelin' man's affliction makes it hard to settle down

But I'm stuck here in the flatlands while my heart is homeward bound

Goin' back, I'm too tired to roam, Loma Prieta my mountain home

On the hills above Santa Cruz, in the place where I spent my youth

Well it was Neal Cassady that started me to travelin'

All the stories that were told, I believed them every one

And it's a windin' road I'm on you understand

And no time to worry 'bout tomorrow when you're followin' the sun

Papa don't you worry now and mama don't you cry

Sweet woman don't forsake me, I'll be comin' by and by

Goin' back, I'm too tired to roam, Loma Prieta my mountain home

On the hills above Santa Cruz, in the place where I spent my youth.