Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston have always been the heart and soul of the Doobie Brothers. Oh sure, others have come and gone, some more prominently but Pat and Tom just have that California coolness that keeps the band going strong. The band, once numbering enough to fill a small school bus, has been paired down to the two singer/songwriter/guitarists, multi-instrumentalist John McFee and drummer Mike Hossack. The smaller core works well on the Doobie’s latest release, as the band sounds cohesive and collected.

Joining the band of Brothers on World Gone Crazy is former Doobie keyboardist/vocalist Michael McDonald on the tune “Don’t Say Goodbye” and the doobie master, himself, Willie Nelson on “I Know We Won.” Other notable guests include Steve Miller band alum, the late Norton Buffalo, Guy Allison, Bill Payne and Gregg Bissonette.

While the album has plenty of big names and hard-core guest musicians it would not work if it didn’t have the Doobie Brother’s magic, which is their songs. The Jimmy Buffet styled “A Brighter Day” starts things off on a positive note but it is “Chateau” that proves this is a real rock band who is as potent in 2011 as they were in 1975. The title track continues the excellence, as does the introspective “I Know We Won.” All in all, there is not a bad song on the album. From the acoustic “Nobody” to the bop of “Old Juarez” this album proves that rock n’ roll refuses to roll over and play dead, despite the band having a song titled “Young Man’s Game.”

This one has not received any airplay and little press, which is a shame as it is an amazing collection of great songs.