Although “Toulouse Street” was the Doobie Brothers' second album, the band liked to refer to it as their actual debut: After their self-titled debut album in 1971, Pat Simmons (vocals, guitar), Tom Johnston (vocals, guitar) and “Little” John Hartman (drums, percussion) admitted that they had rushed the production of that album. “Toulouse Street” was recorded a year later under much more favorable circumstances: the album featured a new bassist, Tiran Porter, and an additional drummer, Michael Hossak, who helped establish the band's characteristic twin-drummer sound.