Blackwater means just that. The lakes and rivers of most of the southeast are blackwater. The waters down here are a dark, silty black. It's because of the tannins from the trees and undergrowth that live in and immediately around our water systems.
The Doobie Brothers was my stepdad’s favorite band. I got the call that he had passed away while I was at work. During the drive home Black Water came on my iTunes and it broke me. I had to pull over to have a good cry and listen to the rest of the song. RIP Dad.
No double entendres here. The Moon is shining on the dark water of the Mississippi River. The river boats have big paddle wheels on them for a way to push them down the river. The Honky Tonk is where you go to dance to Dixieland music in New Orleans. They have a lot of them and you can walk from one to another.
It's the Mississippi river, and a honkytonk is commonly defined in the early 1900's as a "low" dancehall/saloon, with loud raucous music ... and patrons.
PLEASE BP, do their banger awesome song, "JESUS IS JUST ALRIGHT WITH ME" next!! You cannot keep still, you have to be dancing, tapping a toe or wiggling to the beat in your chair and singing along at the very least, to that song about Jesus! 🙏❤ 💃🎸🎵🇺🇲
That was a viola (bigger than a violin but smaller than a cello) 😁Patrick Simmons wrote and sang lead on this one and he was obsessed with New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta. The song was his tribute to the place and lifestyle! Thanks BP! Fun Fact: song was originally released as a “B” side to another single but was re-released as a single because it was so popular and it became a #1 hit!❤️🔥✌🏻🫶🏻
"Patrick Simmons wrote and sang lead on "Black Water" while the band was in New Orleans. Simmons was a fan of Delta blues and had previously visited New Orleans for a Doobie Brothers gig in 1971. The Doobie Brothers' song "Black Water" is about the Mississippi River and the South, and is inspired by Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. "
Boy BP, got that 100% wrong in the end. It was about just what it was about, the Mississippi River, the moon shinning down making the water look black, New Orleans and going to a honky-tonk, dancing, drinking and having a good time on the bayou,
Love this by Doobie Brothers. 🔥❤️ The Mississippi flows down to New Orleans where Dixieland music is played in honky tonks (bars). He even talks about the street car in NOLA. ❤
There was a renaissance of music in the 70's & 80's, Eagles, Doobies, Journey, Kiss, Police, Genesis, Ozzy, Foreigner, Little Rive Band, Chicago, REO, YES, Bad Company, Aerosmith, ELO, CARS, Steve Miller, Styx....... its an endless list.
Love the Doobie Brothers, they are/were a local Bay Area band Some of the greatest tunes from the 1970's. I saw this pop up and jump right on over. I haven't heard this song in a very long time. Still know the lyrics. Anything Doobie the best..... ❤
@@rdecker62 OK, I'll give you that the band started in San Jose... However, I lived in Marin County during their Hay Day and Tim Johnston one of the co-founders moved to Marin. In fact he still lives there. So we also claimed them as a local band. Lol. Hell they were good no matter where they lived. ❤️ Yes, weren't we blessed with such incredible musicians all around us. Did u ever go to the Day's on the Green concerts?
When it comes to listening to music from this generation, I highly suggest listening to the studio versions first! Not because they aren't as good live, they just perform the songs very differently sometimes! I grew up listening to The Doobie Brothers, and they were actually the first band I took my boys to see! Also, I just noticed that u haven't done anything by Little River Band! Check out Reminiscing! It's one of my favorite songs ever!
I'm happy you liked this one. This song was written by Patrick Simons. This is another group that had so many song writers. It is a fun one to watch live because the audience gets into it and sings the end with them .... At least at the concerts I was in attendance. Thanks for listening to this BP - one of my favorites.
@chelseahaley2350. Doobie Brothers are great, but I really love LRB. That is with original lead singer, Glen Shirrock. Not that the newer guy was bad, but it just didn't seem as good. Also, I know some say that reactors should.listen to original records/recordings before watching bands perform, but I think watching LRB really makes you see and feel the vibe between them when they're harmonizing and performing together..
Several weeks into basic training in the summer of 1978 we were being moved on buses. Someone started singing the end of this song, and before you knew it people were singing each of the parts as loud as we could. It was a brief moment of spontaneous joy I’ll never forget.
It’s talking about the Mississippi River… it’s romanticized from Mark Twains vision … the books Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn where they float down the river …the band also liked how it would be raining in Louisiana with the sun still shining bright. … they also liked the French Quarter … they’d hit up the bars and clubs and they’d be playing “Dixieland”
Blackwater is the most laid back cool song! My 2nd favorite though is along that line, but is just plain beautiful, called "SOUTH CITY MIDNIGHT LADY". I hope you will do that pretty song soon!! (It's my 2nd favorite of the Doobies after "Jesus is Just Alright" which I just literally begged for in a comment below. Thanks BP for this and all the great reactions! 💃🎸🎵🇺🇲
I'm from New Orleans, as a kid mom would take me out to the French Quarter and we'd go sit on the dock of the Missisippi river at midnight and watch the tug boats and stuff come in and they'd open the big bridge...and she'd sing this song....RIP Mom. :)
@@michellemccall6511 :) If you ever had Cafe Du Monde donuts then you know the spot right where they park the big paddle boats...so you smell donuts....and of course I had donuts, that place is 24/7 open air , best place to people watch in the world.
This was released when I was in high school, and the ending is what drew everyone in at the time. I remember everyone loving it, with the ending coming up often in discussions.
They're so fantastic in concert, had the pleasure of seeing them in the 80's and again in a BBQ Roundup in Cedar Rapids Iowa in the late 90's at an outdoor concert 💙
Love Love Love this song. So many cool elements. The wind chimes, the viola, how brings that funk knees out in his voice and the near the end where they start singing a cappella and they're all singing something different and I don't want the song to end. They have a bunch of cool stuff.
One of my favorite songs. Takes me right back to junior high. I'm not a huge Doobie Brothers fan, but I sure love this one. I think you overthought this. It's just about relaxing and partying near or on the Mississippi.
According to Online Entomology In 1889 Honk Tonk seems to be the name of a particular theater, and the Marshall, Texas, "Messenger" of May 27, 1892, mentions the "Honk-E-Tonk district" as "the most disreputable part of town."
One of the best Doobie Brothers songs to me! My sons used to make fun of us cause when we'd have a party or hear this on the radio...they wanted to know why it was necessary for all of my age group to stop everything, turn up the music and all of us sing harmony to this song until it was over before returning to whatever we were doing. 😅😅😅Old Blackwater is referring to the Mississippi River as are the paddle wheel and catfish jumping. Honky tonk is not a dance but a type of dance hall, bar or jook joint. It's always referring to working class dives where loud, raucous music was/is played. One of the theories of the origin of the name is that it came from the type of piano that was played in these places. They were manufactured by the William Tonk & Bros Company and had tacks attached and were modified to make a more percussive sound to the piano music, and was louder and had rhythmic tinny sounds. They also made player pianos that didn't require a pianist. Nowadays they refer more to what you'd call a hole in the wall, and playing loud, rowdy country western or southern rock type music. They've always been up and down the Mississippi and around New Orleans but they have them all over the country. Apparently started on the Mississippi and expanding to the west and even had them during gold rush times. Honky-tonks were referred to as far back as the mid-1800's... it's hilarious to me that my sons in their late thirties now stop everything and join us in singing it!
Love The Doobie bros. China Grove and South city midnight lady are my personal favorites. Please check out April Wine...Roller extended version 🙏. Great reaction and Peace out ☮️ ✌️ 🙏
My first ever concert at 16 was Doobie Brothers and ZZ Top. I really didn't know their music at the time, but the concert was incredible. The music was amazing, and I immediately became a fan. They had the audience sing along to this song, and it was so much fun, because everyone was singing together. I learned the lyrics that night at the show, and it brings back such great memories every time I hear it still today.
I love all of the Doobie’s music, but this is probably my favorite. It just conjures up images of a real warm sultry, lazy summer day - laying in the grass - and for some reason makes me crave jambalaya! (LOL!) This song is so perfect, from the harmonies to the double-lyrics being sung at the same time to the back and forth fiddle-play…it is real ear-candy. I LOVE this song! You’re right - it just has a way of making your calm down and feel relaxed.
oh, yes...here we go!!!...this song had a HUGE resurgence in the late 80's and I have no idea why but I remember hearing it all the time in high school!
Listening to The Doobie Brothers reminded me one of my favorite groups, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show." I see you haven't listened to them yet. A good place to start is with either "Cover of the Rolling Stone,' "Only Sixteen," "A Little Bit More." or "Sylvia's Mother." They have great discography. If you're in the mood for humor, then listen to "I was Stoned and I Missed It."
What memories! Living in my first apartment & working downtown Chicago. Went to concerts several nights a week. What were once vices are now habits. Played this album over and over.
"Black Water" is also my favorite Doobie Brothers' song and I am excited to hear your reaction. I love the call and response between the viola and the guitar in the middle and the way they fade out the music at the end and then fade it back in. I also love the title track "Toulouse Street" from this album which is a great song with a haunting melody and a wonderful recorder solo by Patrick Simmons in the middle. For anyone who doesn't know, a recorder is a type of flute.
A Honky Tonk is just an old run-down bar where people come to dance to country music. That was a cool observation on "Black Water" being "Moonshine". My mom was a huge Doobie Brothers fan so I heard a lot of their music growing up. Love Black Water!!
From Websters: honky-tonk 1 of 2 noun 1 : a usually tawdry nightclub or dance hall especially : one that features country music 2 : a district marked by places of cheap entertainment 3 : country music that has a heavy beat and lyrics dealing usually with vice or misfortune Meaning can change depending on how it is being used. Most common is the first and second meaning.
In my experience a honky tonk originally refered to any small bar, and/or dance club located out in the countryside regardless of what style of music played. Back blues clubs or country music clubs as long as they were out in the county, outside city limits, where there was less chance of "establishment" or police interference.
6:03 The origins of the phrase "honky tonk" aren't entirely known. It's thought to be an onomatopoeia, coined by cowboys in the Texas-Oklahoma area in the mid 1800s, referencing the sound of the ragtime piano music that was often played in such establishments at the time. The first use in print was an Illinois newspaper in 1874, "police spent a busy day raiding the bagnios (brothels) and honkytonks", likely referring to bars in this context.
These guys made great songs for 6-8 years. Quite a few bangers and all quality music - I never, ever, thought about moonshine and this, but you make some good observations.
Try looking at Boots Randolph. He was from the prohibition era. He was a saxophone player. I don't remember if there was any lyrics in his stuff, I was just caught up in his sax music. Listen to yakety Sax. I don't know if he has any videos. He I saw him at his club to in "Bottle Alley" in xxxx Tennessee
Get into that funky Dixieland music. Absolutely my favorite Doobie Bros. song, and that's saying a lot. Being in the back waters of the Mississippi river on a raft or small boat and listening to nature all around. Then getting out to socialize, dance, sing, drink, and just have a good time.
Patrick Simmons is the lead on my 2 favorite Doobie songs - Black Water and South City Midnight Lady. I do love the driving rock sound from Tom Johnson - China Grove, Long Train Running - but those two songs from Simmons are clearly standouts musically.
Years ago, this song came on the radio in my car. Just before the breakdown, the DJ comes on and says, “fords, take the high parts, chevys, take the bass, dodges and foreign cars, find some place to chime in”. I laughed good at that one.
Summer 1974, eleven of us in a 1970 two door Falcon with a three on tree jamming to this on the 8-track, this song takes me back there every time, three of the eleven have left us.
Hi Nice reaction Glad you really enjoyed this song, It really is a feel good song.. Seems to always put oneself in A great mood too... Hope you add to to one of your playlist's.. As it's a lifer, Not really a song that one would get tired of hearing.. Probably my favourite song by the Doobies, Though I think China Grove is a close second. Cheers my friend
My favorite Doobie Brothers song. Black water just means the Mississippi River. They're simply celebrating New Orleans.
Mine too. Actually one of my all time fave songs in general.
More than New Orleans, the entire Mississippi River region.
WHO DAT NATION
WE LUV OUR NOLA ROOTS
BORN AND RAISED NOLA !!!
Mine as well
Blackwater means just that. The lakes and rivers of most of the southeast are blackwater.
The waters down here are a dark, silty black.
It's because of the tannins from the trees and undergrowth that live in and immediately around our water systems.
Almost fifty years later and this song never gets old!
WOW seems like just yesterday
Still makes me dance, even if just in my chair.
"China Grove" is a fantastic song! Oh, all the memories....
LOVE CHINA GROVE. ❤❤❤
My favorite 😊❤
TOTALLY AGREE!
The Doobie Brothers was my stepdad’s favorite band. I got the call that he had passed away while I was at work. During the drive home Black Water came on my iTunes and it broke me. I had to pull over to have a good cry and listen to the rest of the song. RIP Dad.
No double entendres here. The Moon is shining on the dark water of the Mississippi River. The river boats have big paddle wheels on them for a way to push them down the river. The Honky Tonk is where you go to dance to Dixieland music in New Orleans. They have a lot of them and you can walk from one to another.
Black Water is the silty, muddy water that floats down the Mississippi that settles in the delta
It's the Mississippi river, and a honkytonk is commonly defined in the early 1900's as a "low" dancehall/saloon, with loud raucous music ... and patrons.
PLEASE BP, do their banger awesome song, "JESUS IS JUST ALRIGHT WITH ME" next!! You cannot keep still, you have to be dancing, tapping a toe or wiggling to the beat in your chair and singing along at the very least, to that song about Jesus! 🙏❤ 💃🎸🎵🇺🇲
This is my favorite Doobie Brothers song!! I was in Junior High School when it was released. I’ll soon be 64 years old.
I'll be 64 to amszing song
Same! Just turned 64. This is my youth
Just turned 63, they came out to Australia just in time for my 21st...best present ever, and just like it was yesterday...best of days were ours!
@ You’re so right
Turned 63 this summer, and yeah, a great song from the day.
That was a viola (bigger than a violin but smaller than a cello) 😁Patrick Simmons wrote and sang lead on this one and he was obsessed with New Orleans and the Mississippi Delta. The song was his tribute to the place and lifestyle! Thanks BP! Fun Fact: song was originally released as a “B” side to another single but was re-released as a single because it was so popular and it became a #1 hit!❤️🔥✌🏻🫶🏻
That's what I thought. A viola. Thanks.
"Patrick Simmons wrote and sang lead on "Black Water" while the band was in New Orleans. Simmons was a fan of Delta blues and had previously visited New Orleans for a Doobie Brothers gig in 1971.
The Doobie Brothers' song "Black Water" is about the Mississippi River and the South, and is inspired by Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. "
Thank You!! BP does love to go off on his crazy theories! He trippin'!
@candacemay7187 ❤️❤️❤️
The Doobie Brothers... one of the coolest rabbit holes you can go down. You really need to take that dive.
Boy BP, got that 100% wrong in the end. It was about just what it was about, the Mississippi River, the moon shinning down making the water look black, New Orleans and going to a honky-tonk, dancing, drinking and having a good time on the bayou,
Yeah sometimes he reads a little bit too much into the simplest of songs lol
He wrote this while riding on a street car in New Orleans on St. Charles Ave. My favorite Doobie song
A.J. Croce does a great song about St Charles, called Texas Ruby.
Growing up in the 70’s…love it!!
Love this by Doobie Brothers. 🔥❤️
The Mississippi flows down to New Orleans where Dixieland music is played in honky tonks (bars). He even talks about the street car in NOLA. ❤
There was a renaissance of music in the 70's & 80's, Eagles, Doobies, Journey, Kiss, Police, Genesis, Ozzy, Foreigner, Little Rive Band, Chicago, REO, YES, Bad Company, Aerosmith, ELO, CARS, Steve Miller, Styx....... its an endless list.
The Mississippi River is black at night. River boats have paddles that thump on the water and usually have live music. It's a New Orleans thing.
Honky Tonk - where the booze flows, bands jam & people dance
Amen
@TrianglesAndCircles
A fun watch , Doobie Brothers on What's Happening TV show .. Vid is on Utube.
@chickeastwater9883 Thanks! Just watched the episode or the part of it with "Takin' it to the Sreets". That was amazing.
@@TrianglesAndCircles
Classic TV rewind , has both episodes one Viddy.
I watched it , last night.
Its about bootlegging the Doobies.
LoL
mississippi moon keep on shining on.the black water because its nightime.water looks black..
Doobie Brothers, another great one ........
I have loved this sing since it came out. I can't hear windchimes without singing a verse in my head. Glad you finally heard it.
He is singing about the Mississippi River!
Love this song. Doobie Brothers always bring the goods.
Love the Doobie Brothers, they are/were a local Bay Area band Some of the greatest tunes from the 1970's. I saw this pop up and jump right on over. I haven't heard this song in a very long time. Still know the lyrics. Anything Doobie the best..... ❤
I’m from San Jose and we considered them our own but there was so much good music coming out of the bay at that time.
@@rdecker62 OK, I'll give you that the band started in San Jose... However, I lived in Marin County during their Hay Day and Tim Johnston one of the co-founders moved to Marin. In fact he still lives there. So we also claimed them as a local band. Lol. Hell they were good no matter where they lived. ❤️
Yes, weren't we blessed with such incredible musicians all around us. Did u ever go to the Day's on the Green concerts?
@ I never did but my sister went. First concert was Journey 1981 at the Cow Palace with Loverboy opening.
When it comes to listening to music from this generation, I highly suggest listening to the studio versions first! Not because they aren't as good live, they just perform the songs very differently sometimes! I grew up listening to The Doobie Brothers, and they were actually the first band I took my boys to see! Also, I just noticed that u haven't done anything by Little River Band! Check out Reminiscing! It's one of my favorite songs ever!
LRB absolutely! Maybe try 'lonesome loser'? Great harmonies in that one.
I'm happy you liked this one. This song was written by Patrick Simons. This is another group that had so many song writers.
It is a fun one to watch live because the audience gets into it and sings the end with them .... At least at the concerts I was in attendance.
Thanks for listening to this BP - one of my favorites.
Definitely Little River band!!!!!
@chelseahaley2350. Doobie Brothers are great, but I really love LRB. That is with original lead singer, Glen Shirrock. Not that the newer guy was bad, but it just didn't seem as good. Also, I know some say that reactors should.listen to original records/recordings before watching bands perform, but I think watching LRB really makes you see and feel the vibe between them when they're harmonizing and performing together..
Little River Band and Reminiscing… Definitely hit!
Several weeks into basic training in the summer of 1978 we were being moved on buses. Someone started singing the end of this song, and before you knew it people were singing each of the parts as loud as we could. It was a brief moment of spontaneous joy I’ll never forget.
Black Water and China Grove are my top favorite Doobie Brothers songs. I never tire of them.
China Grove love it!
Doobies! ❤ One of my absolute favs since the 70’s….and they STILL can rock! They are so good❣️
It’s talking about the Mississippi River… it’s romanticized from Mark Twains vision … the books Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn where they float down the river …the band also liked how it would be raining in Louisiana with the sun still shining bright. … they also liked the French Quarter … they’d hit up the bars and clubs and they’d be playing “Dixieland”
In the south when it's raining while the sun still shines we say, The devils beatin his wife.
Blackwater is the most laid back cool song! My 2nd favorite though is along that line, but is just plain beautiful, called "SOUTH CITY MIDNIGHT LADY". I hope you will do that pretty song soon!! (It's my 2nd favorite of the Doobies after "Jesus is Just Alright" which I just literally begged for in a comment below. Thanks BP for this and all the great reactions! 💃🎸🎵🇺🇲
I'm from New Orleans, as a kid mom would take me out to the French Quarter and we'd go sit on the dock of the Missisippi river at midnight and watch the tug boats and stuff come in and they'd open the big bridge...and she'd sing this song....RIP Mom. :)
What a beautiful memory.❤️
@@michellemccall6511 :) If you ever had Cafe Du Monde donuts then you know the spot right where they park the big paddle boats...so you smell donuts....and of course I had donuts, that place is 24/7 open air , best place to people watch in the world.
This was released when I was in high school, and the ending is what drew everyone in at the time. I remember everyone loving it, with the ending coming up often in discussions.
So glad you got to this one. Just the smile on your face...this song just make you feel good.
They're so fantastic in concert, had the pleasure of seeing them in the 80's and again in a BBQ Roundup in Cedar Rapids Iowa in the late 90's at an outdoor concert 💙
Love Love Love this song. So many cool elements. The wind chimes, the viola, how brings that funk knees out in his voice and the near the end where they start singing a cappella and they're all singing something different and I don't want the song to end. They have a bunch of cool stuff.
One of my faves by them. Impossible to not sing along!
One of my favorite songs. Takes me right back to junior high. I'm not a huge Doobie Brothers fan, but I sure love this one. I think you overthought this. It's just about relaxing and partying near or on the Mississippi.
Saw them live a couple decades ago. What a memory. Love your dive into the oldies. 🌸🌸🌸
According to Online Entomology In 1889 Honk Tonk seems to be the name of a particular theater, and the Marshall, Texas, "Messenger" of May 27, 1892, mentions the "Honk-E-Tonk district" as "the most disreputable part of town."
One of the best Doobie Brothers songs to me! My sons used to make fun of us cause when we'd have a party or hear this on the radio...they wanted to know why it was necessary for all of my age group to stop everything, turn up the music and all of us sing harmony to this song until it was over before returning to whatever we were doing. 😅😅😅Old Blackwater is referring to the Mississippi River as are the paddle wheel and catfish jumping. Honky tonk is not a dance but a type of dance hall, bar or jook joint. It's always referring to working class dives where loud, raucous music was/is played. One of the theories of the origin of the name is that it came from the type of piano that was played in these places. They were manufactured by the William Tonk & Bros Company and had tacks attached and were modified to make a more percussive sound to the piano music, and was louder and had rhythmic tinny sounds. They also made player pianos that didn't require a pianist. Nowadays they refer more to what you'd call a hole in the wall, and playing loud, rowdy country western or southern rock type music. They've always been up and down the Mississippi and around New Orleans but they have them all over the country. Apparently started on the Mississippi and expanding to the west and even had them during gold rush times. Honky-tonks were referred to as far back as the mid-1800's... it's hilarious to me that my sons in their late thirties now stop everything and join us in singing it!
Yes! The type of piano. They had a that different sound to them, that was fun.
@@julieCA58yes! I have an old piano that has honky tonk mode.😅
Doobie Brothers - BEFORE Michael McDonald and AFTER Michael McDonald are BOTH great= love the band in both its incarnations
No, after McDonald, they were just his back-up band.
My first concert was doobie brothers with Pablo cruise with my older brother Pete!! I think I was 14!! I will never forget it!!❤️
Love The Doobie bros. China Grove and South city midnight lady are my personal favorites. Please check out April Wine...Roller extended version 🙏. Great reaction and Peace out ☮️ ✌️ 🙏
One of my favorite Doobie Brothers song, saw them in 76 with Lynyrd Skynyrd opening, great show, great reaction.
My first ever concert at 16 was Doobie Brothers and ZZ Top. I really didn't know their music at the time, but the concert was incredible. The music was amazing, and I immediately became a fan. They had the audience sing along to this song, and it was so much fun, because everyone was singing together. I learned the lyrics that night at the show, and it brings back such great memories every time I hear it still today.
I love all of the Doobie’s music, but this is probably my favorite. It just conjures up images of a real warm sultry, lazy summer day - laying in the grass - and for some reason makes me crave jambalaya! (LOL!) This song is so perfect, from the harmonies to the double-lyrics being sung at the same time to the back and forth fiddle-play…it is real ear-candy. I LOVE this song! You’re right - it just has a way of making your calm down and feel relaxed.
I love the Doobie Brothers...every time I hear them I remember when they were on the show What's Happening,,,,anyone else?
This is the song that makes me remember momma . I was just telling the story about the first time I remember this song. God and mom speaking to me
oh, yes...here we go!!!...this song had a HUGE resurgence in the late 80's and I have no idea why but I remember hearing it all the time in high school!
Because it’s a great song!
Love the Doobies they were always great live. Great band
"Clear as The Driven Snow" is a Doobie Masterpiece not to be missed.
An incredible piece of music. Doobies
Nothing I like more than a guitar solo on an acoustic, that just jams hard.
Classic. Truly. Talk about American roots. The Doobie Bros were at their best with this sound.
Listening to The Doobie Brothers reminded me one of my favorite groups, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show." I see you haven't listened to them yet. A good place to start is with either "Cover of the Rolling Stone,' "Only Sixteen," "A Little Bit More." or "Sylvia's Mother." They have great discography. If you're in the mood for humor, then listen to "I was Stoned and I Missed It."
I listened to this when it first came out on a quadraphonic system. Had it turned up, shaking the room. Thanks, Mr. Houston.
What memories! Living in my first apartment & working downtown Chicago. Went to concerts several nights a week. What were once vices are now habits. Played this album over and over.
Had a honky-tonk piano back in the 70s and I just loved it, right up till the moment that my husband sold it, big mistake, huge💔
"Black Water" is also my favorite Doobie Brothers' song and I am excited to hear your reaction. I love the call and response between the viola and the guitar in the middle and the way they fade out the music at the end and then fade it back in. I also love the title track "Toulouse Street" from this album which is a great song with a haunting melody and a wonderful recorder solo by Patrick Simmons in the middle. For anyone who doesn't know, a recorder is a type of flute.
A Honky Tonk is just an old run-down bar where people come to dance to country music. That was a cool observation on "Black Water" being "Moonshine". My mom was a huge Doobie Brothers fan so I heard a lot of their music growing up. Love Black Water!!
From Websters:
honky-tonk
1 of 2
noun
1
: a usually tawdry nightclub or dance hall
especially : one that features country music
2
: a district marked by places of cheap entertainment
3
: country music that has a heavy beat and lyrics dealing usually with vice or misfortune
Meaning can change depending on how it is being used. Most common is the first and second meaning.
Awww NOLA! Louisiana girl here and I love this song so much.
One of my favorite songs of all time... (Having grown up along the Mighty Mississippi river...)
u just can’t find talent like this anymore. Incredible song writing and harmonies. Always one of my favorite DB songs
One of my favorite albums in the 70's.
In my experience a honky tonk originally refered to any small bar, and/or dance club located out in the countryside regardless of what style of music played. Back blues clubs or country music clubs as long as they were out in the county, outside city limits, where there was less chance of "establishment" or police interference.
Oh I love this so much - it always puts me in a happy place.
You feel the joy of the song... That is what a great band does...
Wow I'd like to see your reaction on this glad you're doing it❤❤❤❤❤❤
Pat Simmons is the writer and lead vocalist of this one and I absolutely love his songs with the band. Fantastic sognwriter!
❤ This is my jam!! Thank you BP
My favorite DB song! Always reminds me of being 15 at the roller skating rink! Good times!
This is my favorite Doobie Brothers song❤
My absolute favorite Doobie Brothers song!
This song is great! Always loved these guys 😊
One of the best so far ever.❤
6:03 The origins of the phrase "honky tonk" aren't entirely known. It's thought to be an onomatopoeia, coined by cowboys in the Texas-Oklahoma area in the mid 1800s, referencing the sound of the ragtime piano music that was often played in such establishments at the time. The first use in print was an Illinois newspaper in 1874, "police spent a busy day raiding the bagnios (brothels) and honkytonks", likely referring to bars in this context.
That bit at the end is the ultimate feel-good outro. Seeing you just sit and grin while taking it in was perfect!
These guys made great songs for 6-8 years. Quite a few bangers and all quality music - I never, ever, thought about moonshine and this, but you make some good observations.
Try looking at Boots Randolph. He was from the prohibition era. He was a saxophone player. I don't remember if there was any lyrics in his stuff, I was just caught up in his sax music. Listen to yakety Sax. I don't know if he has any videos. He I saw him at his club to in "Bottle Alley" in xxxx Tennessee
The sun came out for the first time in a week and you are reviewing Blackwater. Quite the Sunday morning!
Been hoping you would hear this song. Awesome!
One of my favorite mood changing songs
Get into that funky Dixieland music. Absolutely my favorite Doobie Bros. song, and that's saying a lot. Being in the back waters of the Mississippi river on a raft or small boat and listening to nature all around. Then getting out to socialize, dance, sing, drink, and just have a good time.
Patrick Simmons is the lead on my 2 favorite Doobie songs - Black Water and South City Midnight Lady. I do love the driving rock sound from Tom Johnson - China Grove, Long Train Running - but those two songs from Simmons are clearly standouts musically.
Years ago, this song came on the radio in my car. Just before the breakdown, the DJ comes on and says, “fords, take the high parts, chevys, take the bass, dodges and foreign cars, find some place to chime in”. I laughed good at that one.
I love this song.... I think of Huckleberry Finn when I hear this song...
Summer 1974, eleven of us in a 1970 two door Falcon with a three on tree jamming to this on the 8-track, this song takes me back there every time, three of the eleven have left us.
One of their best songs i feel like im there where they are talking About !
Man, was this a big 'ol song back then and just continued on... like all their songs. ❤
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I've always loved this song
It brings back wonderful memories it brings back a part of History where America was great
Always loved this one!
Wow, my man you’re going down my teenage years soundtrack this last week. I’m in heaven…..
OH, YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! One of the BEST DOOBIES SONGS, in MY BOOK!! :) LOVE IT!! ENJOY, BP!!!
I always enjoy the live takes the sound may not be great, but the performances are. I like watching the musician magic with their instruments. ✌🙏
One of their best!!!! Live is always good.
Whenever I hear this, I sing the lead and the 3 part harmony. Especially in the supermarket.
I saw the Doobie Brothers in concert on my 16th birthday back in 1978 in Huntington, WV. Fantastic show!!
Hi Nice reaction
Glad you really enjoyed this song,
It really is a feel good song..
Seems to always put oneself in
A great mood too...
Hope you add to to one of your
playlist's..
As it's a lifer,
Not really a song that one would get tired of hearing..
Probably my favourite song by the Doobies,
Though I think China Grove is a close second.
Cheers my friend