Doobie Brothers Help Zac Brown Band Bring ‘Funky Dixieland’ to Boston
Zac Brown Band kicked off a two-night stand at Boston’s Fenway Park last weekend by rolling out a few surprises, including a rare cover of the Doobie Brothers‘ chart-topping classic, “Black Water” — performed with a little help from the Doobies themselves.
Zac Brown Band’s Fenway Park Shows Deemed ‘Best Nights of Our Career’
It’s not the first time the two bands have teamed up. Earlier this year, the Doobie Brothers announced plans to release an album of country duets, featuring revamped versions of their own hits with cameos by some of today’s country stars. While the official track list is still under wraps, Friday night’s pitch-perfect, tag-teamed rendition of “Black Water” — featuring vocals from Doobie Brothers co-founders Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston, along with longtime bandmate John McFee, who joined the Doobies during their Michael McDonald-fronted days — might have let the cat out of the bag. When the full album appears later this year, don’t be surprised if you hear the Zac Brown Band bringing some funky Dixieland to the track list.
The Doobie Brothers’ duets album will also bring together the band’s two frontmen, Michael McDonald and Tom Johnston, whose voices haven’t been heard on the same album since 1976’s Takin’ It to the Streets. Love and Theft, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, Chris Young and Toby Keith are among the other artists confirmed for the project.