The Unreleased Tapes
by Craig Cumberland

    In 1986, after having split from Marshall Tucker and having been away from the music business for a few years, Toy recorded (at least) 9 songs.  To date, they have never been released, nor are there plans to release them.  The songs were recorded in Macon, GA at the Capricorn Studios and produced by Paul Hornsby.  The players included Paul Riddle on drums, Franklin Wilkie on bass, Johnny Vernazza (formerly of the Elvin Bishop Band) on acoustic guitar, Norton Buffalo on harmonica and vocals and Ronnie Godfrey on piano and vocals.  Originally the idea was to have John Townsend sing vocals.  He was of Sanford-Townsend Band fame, who's Smoke from a Distant Fire hit the Top 40 in 1977.  It didn't work out for him to make the recording sessions so they went with the personnel they had.  

    Below is an overview of the songs.  Some are listed on BMI's website, so the author and official title is known.  Others are not, so I don't know who wrote them or even the song title for sure.  If anyone has any more information, please drop me a line!

    The first time I heard this tape I was blown away.  It was soooo good to her "new" music again from Toy, even though he was no longer with us.  Hearing his guitar again was liking seeing an old friend you hadn't heard from in years.  Somehow it makes you feel whole again.  So, too, did hearing Toy.  Gone, though, were the flute and sax we'd come to know so well in Tucker.  It was replaced, intentionally it seemed, by a harmonica, which was featured on every tune.  A nice touch though.  The songs, along with the solos, were shorter than what we had come to know in MTB.  

    I'm not sure why these songs were never released or what became of the band that played them.  It did not evolve into what became the Toy Caldwell Band, with whom Toy began touring the country again in 1989.  To my knowledge he never played these songs live with the TCB.  Like the gap that lies between his leaving MTB and the formation of the TCB, not much is known, by fans anyway, of this material... so I thought I'd offer what little insight I know!

Cry Cry Cry (2:55) - credited on BMI's site to Toy.  A hard driving number that starts out with a hypnotic piano refrain, Toy's distinctive guitar riffs then burst onto the scene.  Soon a sassy harmonica joins the fracas.  Ronnie Godfrey sings lead.  His delivery is reminiscent of Toy's; as if they were being delivered straight from the soul.  The mournful urgency of the singer embodies the lyrics of lost love perfectly.

Not  a Pretty Picture (3:16) - this number starts out in laid-back fashion but soon thunders on with infectious style.  Ronnie Godfrey delivers soulful kick accented by harmonica and bass riffs, and, of course, Toy's licks. Piano fills, such as were delivered by Paul Hornsby on all those great MTB albums are another stand out.  BMI's site credits Toy with writing this song.

Rose in Paradise (3:48) - I first heard "Rose" in 1987.  It was one of the last singles that Waylon received any air time for. The opening guitar riffs instantly made me think Toy, who was a friend of Waylon's, was the guitarist.  The lyrics were also reminiscent of Toy's.   It was on his Will the Wolf Survive CD.  I made a B-line for the record store and popped open the CD insert to review the album's credits... but I was wrong! Toy hadn't wrote the song or played on it.  Several years later I came across the Toy tape and when "Rose" kicked in I chuckled to myself...  I thought "great minds think alike" and was glad that Toy liked the song well enough to record it!  Symbols lead the way into the song, followed by a sultry harmonica.  Toy's matter of fact vocals sing the lyrics of a wealthy man who marries the girl of his dreams then proceeds to "keep his rose in paradise."  The remainder of the song tell the tale of what becomes of each.  Stewart Harris and Jim McBride wrote this song.

Long Road to Nowhere (4:12) - a sad, slow tempo song.  A harmonica underscores the singers pain and Toy's guitar fills amplify the mournfulness.  Godfrey again (I think!) sings lead.

Life Just Ain't Worth Living (3:54) - piano and harmonica augment this upbeat song about the contrasting sadness of the songs lyrics.  Godfrey again takes the mic.  I could not find a credit at BMI to this song, so don't know the author (or the title!).

Damn Sure Changed My Mind (2:48) - Toy's the featured vocalist on this one.  A lazy harmonica paves the way for this county shuffle.  This tune would have been right at home on MTB's Just Us.  In my mind I picture this being performed in a lounge with a stand up bass and a piano player.  A very cool song.  Toy is credited t BMI's site for this one, too.

Hang Your Head and Cry (3:26) - written and sang by Norton Buffalo.  It features some fast paced, but short, guitar solos by Toy.  Harmony vocals are another feature.  A harmonica again is a featured instrument in this song about finding out that the one you love has been untrue.

Trapped In Love (3:48) - a slow bluesy song sang achingly by Godfrey.  The song captures the sadness felt when the realization that "it's over" hits home. Harmonica again highlights this song, the only one not to feature a guitar solo.  No credit for this song could be found on BMI's site.

Glass Slipper (2:32) - written by Kenny Smith.  Norton Buffalo on vocals.  Cinderella is never mentioned in the song, though the glass slipper obviously alludes to the Disney heroine.   A piano intro is followed by Toy's guitar.  "I may not be the prince you dreamed, but I'm the one you need."  Looks like Cinderella has to settle!

    I hope someday these can be released commercially.  Due to the legal red tape that it would take, I'm not sure this will ever happen.  Too bad, it's great stuff and a fine addition to Toy's legacy.

Note:  Out of respect for Toy, and Abbie, I do not sell or trade copies of this material.  My belief is that had he wanted this to go public, he would have made it available.  Sorry.

    There are other rare, though available, songs that Toy either played on or wrote.  These inlcude, but are not limited, to:

I Danced to the Night We Met -  A song that can be found on the Portland, Maine 1989 tape.  As far as I know it was never recorded in the studio and this is the only tape I have found it on.  Toy states that he wrote it with Charlie Daniels but the BMI site only credits Toy.  It is a slow sad song delivered with great eloquence by Toy.  It is, I think, the saddest most heart-felt song he ever wrote.  I would love for Doug and Charlie to do a duet of this someday...  

Welcome to the Human Race - written (and sung) by Bruce Marshall, who toured with the TCB for about a year (around 1990).  This track was cut by the TCB and intended for Toy's first solo CD, released eventually by Cabin Fever in 1992.  Bruce left the band before the CD was finished so this cut was gleaned from the project.  The song, featuring Toy and the rest of the TCB, is available on Bruce's Love the Ride CD and can be purchased on his website - www.brucemarshall.com.  Bruce covered This Ol Cowboy on his most recent release, Kalispell.  On it his guitar playing sounds amazingly like Toy's.  To read an interview with Bruce about his TCB days click here!

The Only Cowboy on Your Mind - written by Toy for the movie Urban Cowboy.  The song was turned down in favor of Johnny Leeís ìLooking For Loveî and thus almost became lost forever, had it not been for a bizarre turn of events.  To read more about the song, click here.  The song was eventually recorded by Toy's long-time friend Mickey Fowler and is available on his independently released CD, available at: www.mickeyfowler.com.  The CD also contains a cover of In My Own Way.  Toy plays on two songs, Peaches and I Wonder Where You Are Tonight.  Former TCB member and current Tucker bassist Tony Heatherly plays or provides backing vocals on every song.  Country star Aaron Tippin, a South Carolina boy, also sings on one song.

    Toy made numerous guest appearances on other songs by the likes of Hank, Jr., Charlie Daniels and others.  They include:

Elvin Bishop - Let It Flow (1974)
Charlie Daniels Band - Nightrider (1975) 
Charlie Daniels Band - Saddle Tramp (1976)
Charlie Daniels Band - High Lonesome (1976)
Grinderswitch - Live Tracks (released in 1994, recorded in the 70's)
Wet Willie - Left Coast Live (1977)
Hank Williams, Jr - Hank Willims, Jr & Friends (1975)