What we have here are some great, classic tracks - China Grove, Long Train Running, Listen to the Music, Take Me In Your Arms, Black Water - but this is the early, driving rock Doobies, with killer slower, more acoustic tracks as a contrast. I love them but I just have never been able to get the acquired taste of Michael McDonald's vocal style on many of the other tracks.
I'm not exactly the first to mention the difference that it made when Michael McDonald was in the band and when Minute By Minute came out I bought it and wondered where the old Doobie magic had gone. That is all a matter of personal opinion - but it is good to see Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons together still playing.
I much prefer to listen to the earlier, individual albums, especially The Captain And Me and Stampede to fully experience the Doobies in all their glory, with the superb guitars, vocals from Tom and Pat. I strongly urge any newcomer to this great, American band to go for these albums.