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Marshall Tucker Band-Anyone else get them?

Listening to music this am...it really hit me.

To me... they are an absolutely amazing fusion band... Jazz/Rock/Country/Western... the volume and variety of instrumentation they meld together (without sounding the least bit gimmicky) is mind blowing. They use Horns/Keyboards/Pianos/Guitars etc....and, as you may know, even the flute, to great effect.

I definitely would not classify them in the ..."one of best bands nobody's ever heard of"...because, I think everyone has heard of them (i.e. Heard it in a Love Song)...but, I think they are one of the most misunderstood and under-appreciated bands ever. Unfortunately, I think people make assumptions about them and dig no further... (a tragic case of judging a book by the cover).

Most probably write them off as simply another southern-rock band ...but they are so much more than that...First of all the (main) vocalist Doug Gray...the guy actually Sings...yes, SINGS. (Ironically he is not the vocalist in Heard it in a Love Song!). Toy Caldwell (guitarist), Wow! - Although I'm not a musician...the guitar work sounds amazing (especially the jazz themes). And...if you like jam bands...they have that more than covered too (the album versions of the hits give them the songs the breathing room they deserve)

Bottom Line: In my opinion, they are a music lover's dream.

Just for the record...I listen to everything from The Flamingos to Scarface...mostly alternative lately...so this is definitely not a niche thing for me... Actually, I don't have very much "Southern Rock" in my collection at all.
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mapman's avatar
mapman
22,303 posts
 
I've always liked them. Back in college, I thought they were one of the more interesting "southern rock" bands.

HAven't spun them in a while but I should put them on my "to do" list.
lindisfarne
511 posts
 
While I positively loath "southern" rock, these guys, especially early, were pretty darn good. Listen to the first few LPs, then you can quit. Like the Allman Brothers who fuse jazz, blues, and rock elements, MTB tried to do the same but their songs are just not as memorable to this listener. By "Heard it in a Love Song", which goes WAY back, they were already cheese. Listen to "Can't You See" and "Take the Highway". That's when they were good.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
"Where We All Belong", "A New Life", "Long Hard Ride" have remained on my play list since they were released. In 1974-1977, I saw them live many times. Charlie Daniels Band opened for them quite often. Toy and Tommy Caldwell really knew how to bring out the best in each other on the stage. At times, Tommy's bass playing reminded me of Barry Oakley.
f1fanatic
150 posts
 
MTB is very underrated. The guys can really play and jam when need to. My fav is `Where We All Belong` but they are all good especially the early ones.
jb8312
247 posts
 
They are without a doubt my grandest personal guilty pleasure and love them....While many people I know wouldn't agree (or confess), I think they have a great sound and one track or another of their greatest hits is very often in my playlist...
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