This actually refers to the 1974 release of the album ‘The Doobie Brothers – What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits’.

It’s been over 50 years since that release, and my mind still holds great memories of that album – indeed much music released in that year.

At the time, I worked in the Manchester (UK) City Centre, and had a ‘habit’ of visiting ‘Paperchase’ in St. Ann’s Square in my lunchtime, and perusing their records on display. I hadn’t heard much about The Doobies but I was initially drawn to the album cover artwork – I thought that view of the band on stage was so exciting.

After a few weeks of visiting ‘Paperchase’ I decided to buy the album, and it was – now thinking back all those years – one of my better purchases.

Luckily, my friends at the time really liked the music and I would play it on the cassette tape player whilst out in my car, and when ‘Black Water’ started we would all immediately start singing along!

My favourite track on the album is ‘Road Angel’ – the musicianship is sublime!

Here’s a link to ‘Road Angel‘ on YouTube.