Product Details

• Actors: The Doobie Brothers
• Directors: The Doobie Brothers
• Format: Blu-ray, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Eagle Rock Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: November 20, 2012
• Run Time: 148 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B009410IAS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,831 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #95 in Movies & TV > Blu-ray > Music Videos & Concerts

Editorial Reviews

Let The Music Play is the authorized story of The Doobie Brothers from their beginnings as a biker band in California in 1970, through their breakthrough with Listen To The Music in 1972, sustained success and line-up changes in the mid-seventies and their change of musical direction and further success following the arrival of Michael McDonald in 1976. Worn out by non-stop touring and internal disagreements the band broke up after a farewell concert in 1982. There were sporadic reunions in the eighties before the band reformed permanently in the early nineties and have continued touring and recording ever since. This new film features contributions from all the surviving key band members, their manager Bruce Cohn and long term producer Ted Templeman to tell the full story of the band's highs and lows through four decades of musical evolution. / Bonus Features: Bonus live performances of: 1) Rainy Day Crossroad Blues 2) Without You 3) Listen To The Music 4) Black Water 5) Takin It To The Streets 6) Rockin Down The Highway 7) Neal's Fandango 8) Long Train Runnin 9) China Grove

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kickin' back with the Doobie's November 16, 2012

By Stephen Bieth

Format:Blu-ray

To be fair I just got into the Doobie's in the last year. Saw my first concert of theirs last month (it rocked). So my knowledge on this band is some what limited. So this release could not come at a better time. The two hour plus Blu ray gives a great overview of a band that has gone thru a lot of changes over the years. It interveiws just about everyone who is still alive that has been thru the band or worked with them in a significant role (such as Ted Templemen the producer of some of their best records). The thing that struck me was how at peace the band is with their history. In most Band's members of one era would be trying to take credit over members from another. But here Michael MacDonald seems very comfterble saying his period of the Doobie's is not the true Doobie's sound. Don't worry he gets his credit for saving the band when the thought they couldn't go on after Tom Johnston had to leave for health reasons (bleeding ulcer). It also does not treat the reunion years as an after thought like so many of these documentaries do. It takes you thru record by record. Over all I was very happy with this documentary.
This disc also has about 45 minutes of live footage. I figured this would be from a current tour but it actually spans their career. It also has some of their biggest hits. Overall I could not be happier with this package.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Forty years and still making music and working together. A DB-produced documentary I found insightful as a DB novice. December 2, 2012

By Steven I. Ramm TOP 100 REVIEWER

Format:Blu-ray

In the essay by San Francisco Chronicle music journalist Joel Selvin which accompanies some great Doobie Brother memorabilia in the 8-page booklet inserted the BD case, Selvin refers to this 99-minute film as both a "sprawling documentary" and a "scrapbook", both terms that I think accurately describe the centerpiece of this DVD and Bluray package. When original DB member Pat Simmons discovered a trove of old videos spanning 40 years in his house, he - and the remaining DBs provided them to filmmaker Barry Ehrmann to create the film.

I'll admit up front that I have always liked the DBs but I was never a rabid fan and knew little about them other than what I heard on the radio. But, after watching this thoroughly enjoyable film, I know a lot more. And the snippets of songs I heard - there are no full performances in the film (how could there be? - they produced way too many hits) but nine are included as bonus tracks - brought back a lot of memories. All the important folks are here in open, and in depth, interviews. All the living members (four have died over the years) of the band, their manager (of 40 years!) Bruce Cohn and Producer Ted Templeman. Unlike many of these "story of" documentaries, it's not loaded with comments from music journalists or biographers. There's only one and, honestly, I forget his name and I'm not sure he adds much except from a fan's perspective.

The footage, both in the film and as part of the 43-minute "bonus" section, is not always the best lighted or sharpest but - if we are to believe Selvin's comment that much of this is being seen for the first time in years - it's certainly watchable. And, as the band sings in just one of their biggest hits, just "listen to the music". It's still great.

In 1982 when the band members decided it was time to quit for a while (actually only five years) they did it as friends and you hear no real animosity from any of them.

If you are DB devotee you may see this film from a different perspective and have some gripes. As for me, I found this both an insightful and entertaining film. Sure, five minutes before the end you hear the members promoting their latest album (and their new brand of wine - which benefits charities in the Bay Area), but the 94 minutes before that are (to excerpt another DB hit) "just alright with me".

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! November 29, 2012

By HarleyRiderinAz

Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase

Yes I am a member of the Doobies fan club and have met them on many of occasions. This just tops off what I already know about the boys. It is fantastic with great films and scenes I haven't seen before. You can't just watch it once and put it down the first time. Believe it or not I had to watch it twice because there is always something you miss.
If you think you know everything about them your wrong. I'm sure after seeing this we all still don't know everything, but this is really a great way to feel closer to understanding the truth behind them and what all happened throughout the years.