1. Long Hard Ride 7. Blue Ridge Mountain Sky
2. This Ol Cowboy 8. The Thrill Is Gone (Jimmy Hall & ABB Guests)
3. Fire on the Mountain 9. Ramblin'
4. Searchin' For a Rainbow 10. 24 Hours (Charlie Daniels on fiddle)
5. Take the Highway 11. Hillbilly Band
6. Can't You See
During MTB's one and only tour of Europe the band recorded several of the dates for a live album, which was to be released as a follow-up to Carolina Dreams - the band's first platinum (million selling) album. Perhaps it would have propelled the Tucker Boys to even great heights... but turmoil between the band and Capricorn Records caused the project to be shelved. The band released one more studio album, Together Forever, on the label the signed with Warner Brothers. Capricorn soon folded and SRO was lost, presumably forever. As the band neared it's thirtieth anniversary the wheels began rolling again for the release of SRO. The tapes were found, re-mastered and, thanks to the CD's longer format, other tracks were added to the original set list of SRO. The result is billed as a Live Greatest Hits package from the band first four albums, released between 1973 - 1976. It is certainly that because I can't think of one song I would delete in favor of another. And the CD represents the intensity of the band's live show. Both the sound quality and the "vibe" that is captured would be the same as if you were there in the auditorium.
Paris, France - Winter of 1976
The CD kicks off with a song nominated for a Grammy as best country instrumental of the year in 1976, Long Hard Ride. The song, from the album of the same name, was released to country radio as a single and also received exposure thanks to a "video" - then called trailers - released to movie theaters in 1976. It played before feature presentation in movie houses all across America. The song was always a rollicking way to start the band's live show and works effectively as well to open the CD. The country theme continues as the boys kick into This Ol Cowboy, also released as a country single (in 1974). A feel good tune to be sure, it is a fine example of the band's alchemy of musical styles - country, rock and jazz. Although Toy sang in on the studio version, Doug began singing live n 1975 and it is he that sings it here. The next tune is the band first Top 40 hit, Fire on the Mountain. Always a fan favorite, it features Toy Caldwell on steel guitar and Jerry Eubanks on flute. I think it is perhaps the best song to capture the mood of the Gold Rush era. That theme continues on Searchin' For a Rainbow. I'm thankful that Tuckerheads finally have a live version of this song preserved on CD. Live, it featured a magnificent guitar solo that was not included on the studio version. For several years Toy did the solo, then beginning around 1980 George McCorkle began doing it. Both gentleman parlay a vibe that make this song one of my favorite live performances by the band and stretches the song from the 4-minute studio version to almost seven live.
Still from Long Hard Ride movie scene
Take the Highway begins the rock and roll portion of the show. The intensity of the live version was originally caught on Where We All Belong (1975) and now fans have a second example of this freight train of a song that superbly showcases the power of Doug Gray's vocals. Why this song wasn't included on the band's Greatest Hits album I'll never know because it was and is a fan favorite - and it is clear why on SRO. Can't You See, arguably the band's most known song, follows. Although not a Top 40 hit, it was a hugely popular song on AOR (album oriented radio) in the summer of '73 and is a staple of classic rock radio. The strumming guitar notes catch your attention, the opening flute notes captivate the listener and Toy's angst ridden vocals take you prisoner. I've hear this song played on stadium PA's at baseball stadiums and performed live by local bar bands and the result is always the same - a clap your hands, stomp your feet sing along. It is one of only 1,500 songs to be in the million-aires club (one million times played on radio) which is 50,000 broadcast hours - or more than 5.7 years of continuous airplay. And this performance displays that European listeners enjoyed as well as those of us "across the pond".
Promo Pic 1973
Blue Ridge Mountain Sky is another tune Toy sang on the album but Doug sang live. It's a joyride through the mountain air and is highlighted by great solo by Toy lead guitar and Jerry sax. The lines say "lonesome feeling in my mind" but the song is anything but! The next cut, The Thrill Is Gone, is a song never previously available on a Tucker album and one many fans were not familiar with. Thanks to SRO all that is changed and it's a good thing because it is perhaps Doug's best vocal performance ever. Recorded at the Volunteer Jam in 1975 for the first Volunteer Jam album (that was never released on CD) it features Jimmy Hall on harmonica, Charlie Daniels and Dickey Betts on guitar, Chuck Leavell on keyboards, Jamie Nichol on congas, and Fred Edwards (along with Tucker's Paul Rddle) on drums. An intense blues song, it exemplifies the tightness of the band for which they were so popular. Jimmy Hall and Toy Caldwell absolutely smoke - and the other guests add nice touches as well. That fire pitch intensity continues with Ramblin'. It features alot of wailin' - Toy on guitar, Doug on vocals and Jerry on sax. The louder you play this one, the greater the effect it has.
Toy and his unique thumb picking style
24 Hours at a Time, perhaps the most beloved song among MTB fans, comes next. It's a perfect example of why the band didn't quite fit country, pop or rock radio. It begins as a gentle country tune and then steam rolls into a full-blown rock tune. It is also why many fans and writers have compared Tucker's music to a freight train. It starts out with a gentle motion then builds to a intense finish. No band has ever been tighter than MTB is on this song. Long time touring partner Charlie Daniels adds a sweet fiddle solo to make this a timeless treasure.
Doug Gray & Toy Caldwell, 1974
The CD finishes with a song that the band often opened with in their early years, Hillbilly Band. It's where the title of the CD came from and is fits for the Tucker Boys... "you can have fun I'm tellin' you can, when you stomp your feet to a hillbilly band." Tuckerheads have always known this and I hope with this release a new generation of fans will find it out as well. Tucker was one of the first jam bands and I hope fans of String Cheese Incident, Phish, et al, get turned on to this group of early pioneers of the genre.
Toy & Tommy Caldwell, 1973
Some fans have expressed disappointment that Ramblin' and 24 Hours are the same versions as are on Where We All Belong. Though I agree it would have been great to have different versions on SRO it is a mute point when you consider that I'm just happy as a pig in you-know-what just to finally have a live album by my favorite band of all-time. While their studio work was nothing short of superb, fans always knew MTB was at their best live... and after 20 years of waiting, the dream of a live album has finally come true... So duplicate cuts be damned! I'm just stoked that I can crank this up and take me back to a world of adolescence, the freedom of my youth and so many great memories. And anyone upset about the duplicate cuts is missing the big picture - SRO captures the magic of Marshall Tucker. They had a unique sound and spirit. SRO captures that perfectly. While Doug Gray's vocals, Toy Caldwell's lead guitar and Jerry Eubank's flute and sax were the trademark of the band Paul Riddle's drumming was awe inspiring. His jazz influenced technique brought and unusual element to a rock and roll band. Tommy's bass lines were deft and George McCorkle's rhythm guitar was perfectly subtle. Each member brought something special to the band. Their talent and legacy has been largely unappreciated. Perhaps SRO will change that...
Doug, Allentown PA late 1970's
Special thanks to Ron Rainey for making this happen - and doing right. And, of course, Doug for keeping the band alive for over thirty years. This project has preserved my Tucker memories is a time capsule forever. For that I am more grateful thank you can ever know!
- Craig Cumberland