The Doobie Brothers

Minute by Minute

First released1978

Minute by Minute, released in 1978, was recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood and produced by the Doobie Brothers themselves alongside engineer Ry Cooder and mixer Ted Templeman, who had worked with the band on previous projects. The album was created during a period of transition for the band, reflecting a more polished and sophisticated pop-rock sound compared to their earlier work. Recording took place over several months with the band experimenting with layered arrangements, prominent use of synthesizers, and more intricate vocal harmonies. The album's production emphasized studio precision and meticulous attention to detail in overdubbing and mixing, which was characteristic of late-1970s album-oriented rock. Minute by Minute became one of the band's most commercially successful albums and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1979, cementing the studio techniques and production choices as influential examples of the era's recording standards.