Released: 1980
Chart Peak: # 32
My most vivid memory of this
record was the day Billy Mac played it, one track at a time, on WORD Radio in
Spartanburg, the same way he had played so many others in the past. I dropped
everything I was doing, got myself a Pepsi and a comfortable chair, and
listened. I honestly don’t remember how many band members were in the studio
that day, but I do remember Toy being there. I also remember that this was the
last record to feature Tommy Caldwell. And I remember it being great.
The LP, produced by Stewart Levine, begins with
“It Takes Time,” a cut which ended up being the show opener for the 1980
tour, with it’s high-energy guitar and massive drum rolls from the sticks of
Paul T. Another Toy Caldwell classic composition.
Tommy Caldwell contributes “Without You,” a
moderate-beat number that has heart and soul oozing from every line. Doug’s
vocals shine again, and you can tell he is singing from the heart, with an
honest half-laugh at the beginning of one of the lines.
“See You One More Time” has an almost eerie air to
it when held up beside the death of Tommy, at least in the line, “If I could
see you one more time/ there’s just a few things on my mind/Just a few more
things I’d like to tell you.” I guess we all feel that way sometimes.
Doug sings his heart out once again on the George
McCorkle/Jerry Eubanks composition, “Disillusion,” which sets the stage
nicely for an excellent jam to close out side one of the recording.
From the jazzy sax riff Jerry blows at the opening to
the funky, driving bass and drum pattern spun between P.T. and Tommy, “Cattle
Drive,” co-written by the brothers Caldwell, stands as one of my all-time
favorite cuts, not only on Tenth, but a favorite in the entire MTB canon.
As anyone who has heard it played live or on the “King Biscuit Flour Hour”
knows, the song smoked live, but the studio cut is in no way shabby itself. Is
it Tex-Mex? Is it jazz? Is it country? Is it funk? It’s The Marshall Tucker
Band! Nuff said.
George McCorkle tosses his hat in with another of his
classic story-songs, “Gospel Singin’ Man.” While Toy’s innate ability to
spin off a tune became obvious from the outset, McCorkle must also be credited
for his amazing talent at telling a story in song, as with “Fire On the
Mountain” and “Last of the Singing Cowboys,” “Gospel Singin’ Man”
stands as a classic George cut. Doug Gray’s vocals help to make the song one
of the best tracks here.
“Save My Soul,” another Toy written tune, sung her
by Toy, is another good one, which leads right in to Toy & Tommy's rocking
“Sing My Blues.”
The instrumental, “Jimi,” a tribute from two
guitarists to one of the masters, is emotional and warm. The tune was co-written
by Toy and George.
The album closes with “Foolish Dreaming,” yet another highly enjoyable tune, this one penned by George and Doug. And then it’s time to set the needle back at the beginning, and enjoy this vinyl masterpiece all over again, still hoping and praying that the Warner Brothers collection will be re-issued on CD real soon, so that we can relive all of these great tunes with full CD clarity. Until then, thank God they haven’t totally phased out turntables. This is a tribute to one of the best records ever made. The tenth record from Spartanburg, South Carolina’s own Marshall Tucker Band.
- Michael B. Smith