Walk This Road – Doobie Brothers
*** ½

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Doobie Brothers celebrate their 54th anniversary as a band with the release of Walk This Road, their sixteenth album, and their first of new material with Michael McDonald since 1980’s One Step Closer.  The album, which was produced by John Shanks, features ten new songs, including “Lahaina” featuring Mick Fleetwood and Jake Shimabukuru, which was released in 2023.
McDonald, who rejoined the band for their 50th anniversary tour, which we saw in Peoria June 24, 2023, makes his presence known from the beginning notes of the title song, which features Mavis Staples. He also sings lead on “Learn to Let Go”, “The Kind That Lasts”, and “Speed of Pain”. McDonald joins cofounders Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons and guitarist John McFee, an on-and-off member since 1980.

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

More of this reviewMusic NewsSong of the Week Lyrics ~ Oh, What High and Holy Privilege by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

The album contains a balance of rock, soul, pop and adult contemporary, and the band’s harmonies sound great. In addition to the title song, and McDonald’s songs, I enjoyed “New Orleans” (perhaps the song that sounds most like pre-McDonald Doobies), and “Angels and Mercy”

Quality Christian Music 2025: 15 Artists to Watch. Brett McCracken writes “Every summer for the last seven years, I’ve released a list of quality Christian artists who I think should be on your radar (and playlists), if they aren’t already.”Worship Leader, Tell the Whole Story. Kevin King writes “To convey the full story, worship leaders ought to aim for songs that convey (1) the glory of God, (2) our need for his grace, (3) his provision of that grace, and (4) our mission in response. Without each of these elements in your regular worship, your church will sing an incomplete gospel.”Wait. Here is the radio version of “Wait”, from Matt Maher.God Did It. Here is a new version of TobyMac’s “God Did It”, featuring Jamie MacDonald.

Oh, What High and Holy Privilege by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

This week’s song of the week is “Oh, What High and Holy Privilege, written by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Bryan Fowler, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa. Each verse of the song takes you through a different element of the worship service – from gathering, to prayer, singing, reading scripture and preaching, communion and benediction. Listen to the song here.

Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Once again to gather here
In the name of our Lord Jesus
As we see His Day draw near
May we join in joyful rev’rence
With thanksgiving, faith and love
As He welcomes in His people
To the throne of grace above
Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Voices raised in prayer and praise
Boldly bringing great petitions
Gladly singing hymns of faith
May His grace at work among us
Cleanse and heal us from our sin
That our prayers may not be hindered
And our praises honor Him
Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
Hearing from the word of God
Heaven speaks in perfect wisdom
Earth responds and stands in awe
Do our hearts not burn within us
As we see God’s promises
Find their final yes in Jesus
Leading us to righteousness!
Oh, what high and holy priv’lege
This communion that we share
With the Father, Son, and Spirit
And His people everywhere
As we go with God’s great blessing
In the keeping of His grace
Go in peace to love and service
Till we join again in praise
As we go with God’s great blessing
In the keeping of His grace
Go in peace to love and service
Till we join again in praise
Till we join again in praise