One Step Closer is the ninth studio album by American rock band the Doobie Brothers. The album was released on September 17, 1980, by Warner Bros. Records. The album included the hit "Real Love", which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. This album was the band's last studio album to be released before their initial 1982 breakup and last to feature Michael McDonald until 2014's Southbound. It is also their first studio album to feature John McFee as a member of the band although he would not feature on another until Sibling Rivalry in 2000.
Track listing
Personnel
The Doobie Brothers Patrick Simmons – guitars, lead vocals (3, 6, 9), backing vocals Michael McDonald – keyboards, synthesizers, lead vocals (1, 2, 5, 6, 9), backing vocals John McFee – guitars, backing vocals Keith Knudsen – drums, backing vocals Chet McCracken – drums, vibraphone, marimbas Tiran Porter – bass Cornelius Bumpus – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, organ, lead vocals (4, 5), backing vocals
Additional personnel Bobby LaKind – congas, bongos, backing vocals Nicolette Larson – backing vocals (1, 2, 7) Patrick Henderson – keyboards (2, 5, 6) Lee Thornburg – trumpet (6, 8), flugelhorn (1) Jimmie Haskell – string arrangements (2, 8) Chris Thompson – backing vocals (3) Jerome Jumonville – tenor saxophone, horn arrangements (6) Joel Peskin – baritone saxophone (6) Bill Armstrong – trumpet (6) Ted Templeman – tambourine, cowbell, maracas, backing vocals (5)
Production Produced by Ted Templeman Engineered by Jim Isaacson Second engineer – Gene Meros Mastered by Kent Duncan at Kendun Recorders (Burbank, CA) Art direction and design – Jim Welch Photography – Norman Seeff Production coordinator – Susyn Schope Production assistant – Joan Parker Publicity – David Gest Management – Bruce Cohn
Charts Chart (1980–81)PeakpositionAustralian Albums (Kent Music Report)18Canadian Albums (RPM)18UK Albums (OCC)53US Billboard 2003
References