1. STAY IN THE COUNTRY (Tim Lawter)
2. DESTRUCTION (Confessions of a Junkie) (Rusty Milner)
3. BALLAD OF M.T.B. (Tim Lawter)
4. CHASE THE MEMORY (Don Cameron)
5. COUNTY ROAD (Don Cameron)
6. WHY CAN'T YOU LOVE ME (Stuart Swanlund)
7. SPECIAL LADY (Stuart Swanlund/Rusty Milner)
8. NO MERCY (Rusty Milner)
9. LOVE WILL (Rusty Milner)
10. AND THE HILLS (Don Cameron)
11. MODERN DAY MAN (Rusty Milner)
12. CLOSER TODAY (Doug Gray)
After their first sojourn into Nashville where their one and only record, Still
Holdin On, was recorded for Polygram records, The Marshall Tucker Band
returned to its country-rock-blues roots with the release of Southern Spirit
in 1990.
Unlike their previous effort, which featured a number of studio musicians, Southern
Spirit was written by the MTB and recorded solely by the band, with guest
musicians playing steel guitar and banjo. The album also marked the first
time that Doug Gray and Jerry Eubanks acted as producers. It was engineered by
Billy Sherrill, who worked with the band back in their Warner Brothers
days. This was
their only release on the now defunct Sisaspa Records label, located in Ohio.
The CD opens with "Stay In the Country," written by bassist by Tim
Lawter, and begins with a slow finger-pickin walk down Rusty's guitar. Don
Cameron's organ saunters in and Stuart Swanlund interjects some swingin licks on
his slide guitar, as Doug tells the tale of a man reminiscing about his
boyhood in the Carolina countryside. A typical infectious Tucker tune, the
rest of the band joins in for some uncharacteristic harmonies. Released as
a single, "Stay In The Country" received airplay on Album Orientated
Radio formats. It holds up well against any of the Tucker classics.
"Destruction," screams off the silver disc with a ringing blues guitar
in a song about a man battling his demons. Ace Allen thrusts in on drums
and Doug offers up his typically great passionate and soulful vocals.
"Ballad of MTB" is a countrified salute by Tim Lawter, a tribute to
the history of the band. Catchy and cool it takes you back through the
years. It's obvious that Tim has a great deal of respect for where Doug
and Jerry have been and the players that came before him.
"Chase the Memory" reminds me of a soft summer day spent recalling old
loves. Jerry's flute seems to dance on the wind and Stuart's slide guitar
punctuates the lovelorn feeling evoked by the song's lyrics, written by Don
Cameron. "County Road," another song to receive considerable play time
on AOR radio, finds the Tucker boys at their rockin' best. A true Tucker
classic, it explodes with Rusty's guitar and finds Jerry wailing on his
saxophone like never before. A tickle of the ivory interplays with Jerry's
sax at the interlude, before the whole band comes back to rock your socks off in
this tale about the life of a felon.
Stuart's song, which he also performs lead vocals, asks the question "Why
Can't You Love Me?" It features lyrics that reflect the question
nearly every man has asked (at least to himself). Filled with trademark
guitar solos and Don's pounding keyboards, this song bops along until it closes
out with a seal of approval from Jerry's sax. In interviews in support of
the release Doug boasted on Stuart's ability as a lead singer, and this song
drives home his point.
"Special Lady" features a horn section and a driving beat.
"No Mercy" is a haunting song about the problems encountered in
becoming a man. "Love Will," is a reflective song about the
difficulties of our world's most powerful force. "And The Hills"
is a fun, steel guitar-filled rompin 'tale about youth, sex appeal, and the
virtues there of. The band cut a video for the Playboy channel that seemed
to be the perfect fit.
"Modern Day Man" harkens back to the days of the Wild West and how
those times relate to the tribulations of life today. It features an
understated banjo and some soulful grooves on the organ by Don. The album closes
out with a moving gospel song, with lyrics by Doug and music written by Rusty
Milner. A soft reflective hymn, the band adds powerful harmonizing behind
Doug's touching lead.
- Craig Cumberland
