The Doobie Brothers cover Steely Dan at State Theatre in New Brunswick (WATCH VIDEO)

by JAY LUSTIG
doobie brothers pretzel logic

The Doobie Brothers covered Steely Dan’s “Pretzel Logic” at their 50th Anniversary Tour show at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, July 8.

The Doobie Brothers performed Steely Dan’s “Pretzel Logic” as one of the encores of their 50th Anniversary Tour concert at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, July 8. You can watch a video of it below.

It’s not the first time the band has done this song. They do it, in part, because Doobie Brothers member Michael McDonald toured with Steely Dan in 1973 and 1974 and performed on the Steely Dan albums Katy Lied (1975), Aja (1977) and Gaucho (1980). He did not perform on the original studio version of “Pretzel Logic,” though.

With the Doobie Brothers at the State Theatre, McDonald shared lead vocals on the song with guitarist Patrick Simmons and bassist John Cowan.

The band will perform again at the State Theatre, July 9; at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, July 11-12; and at the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, Oct. 8.

Co-founder Tom Johnston is recovering from back surgery and unable to join his bandmates on the road at this time. He is not being replaced, per se, but McDonald, Simmons and Cowan are singing his vocal parts.

Here is the July 8 show’s setlist, according to setlist.fm, and, below it, the “Pretzel Logic” video, as well as videos of “Takin’ It to the Streets” and “Rockin’ Down the Highway.”

“Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)”
“Here to Love You”
“Dependin’ on You”
“Rockin’ Down the Highway”
“Neal’s Fandango”
“You Belong to Me”
“Slack Key Soquel Rag”
“South City Midnight Lady”
“Clear as the Driven Snow”
“It Keeps You Runnin’ ”
“Eyes of Silver”
“I Heard It Through the Grapevine”
“Better Days”
“Real Love”
“Minute by Minute”
“Without You”
“Jesus Is Just Alright”
“What a Fool Believes”
“Long Train Runnin’ ”
“China Grove”

Encore:
“Takin’ It to the Streets”
“Listen to the Music”
“Black Water”
“Pretzel Logic”

Click HERE for a look at 20 great Doobie Brothers non-singles (songs from their studio albums that weren’t released as singles).

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