Search - Marshall Tucker Band :: Next Adventure

A rock-solid three star album from Doug Gray & crew

Mike | San Jose, CA | 08/12/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Like any other classic Southern Rock Band...The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet...that's still on the concert / CD trail today with "one or more original members," it's all too easy to dismiss the 2007 Marshall Tucker Band. That's a shame, because people who do are missing some good music that's true to its roots.



Founding member Tommy Caldwell died in 1980. Toy Caldwell, Paul Riddle and George McCorkle left the MTB in the mid-80s, which marked the beginning of Doug Gray's "last man standing" revival of the band. In 2004, the MTB released "Beyond The Horizon"...not "A New Life" or "Where We All Belong" by any means, but surely the best effort by the band since its core members headed for greener pastures. "The Next Adventure" is the follow-up to that album. As is often the case in life, you'll appreciate this a lot more if you focus on what it is rather than what it isn't.



"The Guitar Playing Man" gets things off to a nice start...one of three runes co-written by George McCorkle (who joined Toy & Tommy in Rock 'n' Roll Heaven on June 29th, 2007...read Charlie Daniels' eulogy @ http://www.georgemccorkle.com/).



Eric Anderson's "Come Runnin' Like A Friend" is next, and it expresses sentiments well in keeping with the voice of MTB through the years. Honest, simple, sweet.



"Travelin' Man"...with former Jerry Garcia Band member Melvin Seals on organ (he also wrote the track)...is a little out of place with its faux-Otis Redding soul strut. I find myself skipping over this track when I play the CD in my car. Not bad, just not what I look for in MTB music.



"I Love You That Way"...Chris Hicks' duet with Doug Gray's daughter Gabrielle...is the second McCorkle-penned track. Not "characteristically" MTB in sound, but a nice enough track. Gabrielle can be compared...favorably or unfavorably, depending on your viewpoint...to a number of modern-era Nashville divas.



"Cold Steel" is closer to what you might expect from the band...lead guitar and flute solos intermingle with Doug's vocals.



"Why Am I Crying"...a slow blues that just might be a little TOO laid back. On my mix CD, this one and "Travelin' Man" don't make the final cut, even though it was written by Toy Caldwell.



"Down This Road Before II"...Drummer Barry Borden takes the lead vocals on this one. Sounds a little more like late-period Poco than MTB (or maybe The Band, since Borden sounds a little Rick Danko-ish). Nice, especially the dobro fills from Chris Hicks and the steel guitar / mandolin from Ronald Radford.



"A Sad Cowboy Song"...talk about truth in labeling. Nice job, Doug...sing it!



"Crossroad"...sort of MTB with a dollop of Doo-Wop and sixties soul. Very, very nice.



"Jesus Never Had A Motorcycle"...the final McCorkle track, and the only one that left me feeling truly "Tuckerized." Doug carefully paces his vocal, the chorus has a nice hook, Radford shoots and scores again with mandolin and pedal steel, and Hicks (along with Stewart Swanlund) shines on electric guitar. This one lives up to the legend...and will leave you hungry for the next album.



All in all, a solid three stars, and a resounding vote of confidence as the band keeps the legacy alive."

Standing on it's own.

J. Phoenix | 08/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Tucker fan for 30 years. I understand the usual comparisons that always come with every new CD. But on it's own, this is an outstanding album with incredible variety and first rate perfromances.



I can't understand a rating of less than 4 stars for this amazing CD. Yes, I know it's all opinions but c'mon. What has happened to music today? Furthermore, what has happened to music lovers today? Those who vote and claim to understand what great music is!



To rate a CD of this caliber less than 4 stars shows that there's a musical appreciation problem out there with the population and perhaps those individuals should just keep listening to mainstream pop hits.



The song writing couldn't be better. Ballads, fantasies, rockers and even a biker anthum. The band has meshed together which such perfection it's beginning to sound like on old MT CD. But the truth is, they don't need to worry about sounding like the old MT. This album shows the incredible talent and skill they have now. So much variety, it's like hearing four different bands on one CD. Let's face it, most of us hate today's music and the radio for the most part stinks. We complain about not having new great music and now a CD by The Marshall Tucker band has come through for us with an album that drips of emotion, talent and variety. Doug Gray's daughter's voice is stunningly beautiful. I'll be looking for further work from her whether with good ole dad or something on her own hopefully produced by Doug.



The production on the CD is excellent. The soundstage is coherent, sound quality is stupendous without the usual compressed, lack of dynamics found on many CD's today.



This is jus a great CD. Thank you, Marshall Tucker boys (and lady). I have every CD you've ever made. All are great. This effort is up there with the very best you've done.



Listen to it 6 or 7 times before writing a review. 5 stars no question about it. One of the best CD's Marshall Tucker have made."

A NICE CD

James M. Hawk | columbus, ohio United States | 06/19/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"MTB latest is a refreshing, breezy musical journey. its been a long 30+yrs for the band and as with all bands--suffered tragic losses etc. MTB has struck paydirt with 10 passionate songs that spin cowboys and the west. DOUG GRAY is still the keeper of the stable and his voice is tired but true. there are 3 songs from GEORGE MCCORKLE and one from TOY CALDWELL and both need no introduction. highlights are: A SAD COWBOY SONG and I LOVE YOU THAT WAY-thrown in a couple well to do rockers and you have a great lazy day lemonade song parade. with each listen I like it just a little more. its not the 70's but this is a good reflection of past experiences. good one boys."