Song:Jesus Is Just Alright
Album:Best Of The Doobies
The 1972 hit Jesus Is Just Alright was one of a long string of hits that established The Doobie Brothers as one of the top bands of the 70s. They would later morph into a blue eyed soul group but this early version was led by guitarist vocalist Tom Johnston and guitarist Patrick Simmons along with bassist Dave Shogren and drummer John Hartman. They signed with Warner Bros. in 1970 and their debut album didn't sell. Shogren was replaced by Tiran Porter and second drummer Michael Hossack was added. For their second album Toulouse Street, The Doobie Brothers and producer Ted Templeman decided to aim for a more mainstream southern rock sound. Groups like Eagles were popularizing that kind of music. The Johnston song Listen To The Music was their breakthrough single and reached #11 on the pop charts. Jesus Is Just Alright was the follow up and reached #35 but Toulouse Street reached #21 on the album charts and went platinum. So Jesus Is Just Alright was one of the key songs that established the Doobie Brothers. The song is a traditional gospel song but was brought into modern times by Gram Parsons when he was leading The Byrds. It was on their 1969 album The Ballad Of Easy Rider. The Doobie Brothers arrangement is very similar to Parsons' version. This 1976 comp cover the band's early years. Here's The Doobie Brothers performing Jesus Is Just Alright in 1973.
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