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LETHARGIC DOOBIE

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As lead vocalist with the Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald looked like a $1 million solo property. But things appear to be going so slowly for him in that role that he’s probably reconsidering the title of his new album, “No Lookin’ Back.” There were plenty of empty seats Friday night at the Wiltern Theatre, and it wasn’t hard to see why. This proponent of blue-eyed soul seemed lethargic and uninspired, coming to life only at the sound of an occasional female squeal from the audience. “That Nancy Reagan, I tell ya,” he cracked. “She comes to every show.”

High points included the church-like intro to the Doobie-era “Minute By Minute” and an earnest version of “You Belong to Me.” Mostly, however, the music was colorless pop. The most unintentionally ironic touch was a song called “I’ll Be Your Angel.” Don’t sweat it, Michael. We’d be satisfied if you just got back some of the old R&B; grit.

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