Jesus Is Just Alright (Live 1996)

The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic today with Jesus Is Just Alright (Live 1996) by The Doobie Brothers, taken from their live album Rockin' Down The Highway: The Wildlife Concert Disc 1. This song, originally a gospel tune penned by Arthur Reid Reynolds and first recorded by The Art Reynolds Singers in 1966, found its way into rock history through various covers. The Doobie Brothers’ version, first released on their 1972 album Toulouse Street, became a hit, peaking at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. The 1996 live rendition, featured in the Wildlife Concert, showcases the band’s enduring energy and includes a standout performance by saxophonist/keyboardist Cornelius Bumpus, who took lead vocals on this track. The song’s title, using the 1960s slang “just alright” for something cool or hip, resonates with the Zoo Freaks’ vibe, blending spiritual swagger with rock groove.

One juicy piece of trivia comes from the song’s journey through rock’s tapestry. Before The Doobie Brothers made it their own, The Byrds covered it on their 1969 album Ballad of Easy Rider. Their drummer, Gene Parsons, introduced the song after hearing The Art Reynolds Singers record it, and it became a crowd-pleaser in The Byrds’ live sets. The Doobies, inspired by The Byrds’ arrangement, gave it a grittier, funk-infused spin. In a 1996 review of the Wildlife Concert, critic Bob Cannon noted the reunion of former members like guitarist John McFee and drummer Keith Knudsen, who rejoined in 1993, adding a nostalgic punch to tracks like Jesus Is Just Alright. The concert itself was a benefit for the Wildlife Conservation Society, tying the band’s performance to a cause as earthy as the Zoo Crew’s ethos.

Another tidbit Zoo Freaks might dig: the song’s been a chameleon across genres. Christian rock band DC Talk dropped a rap-infused cover in 1992 on their Grammy-winning album Free at Last, tweaking the chorus to “Jesus is still alright” to reflect their faith. DC Talk’s TobyMac said in a Free at Last – The Movie commentary that it’s the one song they’ve played at every show since ’92. Even Robert Randolph and Eric Clapton jammed on it for Randolph’s 2006 album Colorblind, proving its cross-generational pull. For The Doobie Brothers, the 1996 live version captured a moment of renewal, with Michael McDonald also returning to perform hits like What a Fool Believes, making the Wildlife Concert a celebration of their legacy.

The Doobie Brothers kicked off their journey in 1969 in San Jose, California, when singer/guitarist Tom Johnston and drummer John Hartman linked up, introduced by Skip Spence of Moby Grape. The duo, soon joined by guitarist Patrick Simmons and bassist Dave Shogren, started jamming in biker bars and clubs, blending rock, soul, and R&B. Their name, a nod to their love for “doobies” (slang for joints), reflected their counterculture roots, perfect for the Zoo Crew’s hippie spirit. By 1971, they signed with Warner Bros. Records, releasing their self-titled debut. It was Toulouse Street in 1972, with hits like Listen to the Music and Jesus Is Just Alright, that catapulted them to fame. Over the decades, the band evolved through lineup changes, with Michael McDonald steering them into a smoother, soulful sound in the late ’70s. They’ve sold over 40 million albums and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

Zoo Freaks can connect with The Doobie Brothers through their official website, where they share tour dates and merch. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, throwback photos, and fan interactions. For deeper dives, check out fan hubs like the Doobie Brothers Fans Facebook group, where devotees swap stories, rare pics, and concert memories. There’s also doobiebros.com, a fan site with discographies and news, keeping the Doobie love alive for all the Zoo Freaks out there.