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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.
128x128ml8764ag
pdn
438 posts
 
Hey M18764ag:

I've been a fan for decades and they are serious musicians combining many genres. The original 6 guys together were downright amazing. The chemistry between them made them the superstars they became.

Jerry Eubanks is the one who plays the flute and sax. He's a real pro, the music teacher type if you know what I mean. Let me suggest their DVD "Live from the Garden State, 1981". If you can play concert DVDs over a surround sound system, then get this. The audio is not the absolute greatest but decent for a performance of 28 years ago. George McCorkle (guitar) on "Searching for a Rainbow" is one you can't miss. The performance of a lifetime. The only genre I'm not a big fan of is their "western" style songs with a bit too much country. Otherwise, fantastic.

Do you ever wonder why some bands just make it to the big time? While certainly it's a lot of hard work, talent, and great management, it's also the chemistry as I call it between the players. Something just clicks and the symmetry happens. Like the Fab Four for example. Four youngsters from an industrial port town like Liverpool with no formal educations and look what happened. That never ceases to amaze me.
ardri
24 posts
 
Funny.. Years ago as a boy an older Cousin gave me a Marshal Tucker Band Album for Christmas.. I vividly remember thinking.. "Oh thanks A LOT"; dripping with sarcasm as I felt this only served to prove how little thought he put into my gift and lamenting more evidence of how completely oblivious my family were to who I actually was.. in a nutshell I'd never heard of them then and concluded they must suck or I'd already know and love them.. "Can't You See" would later in life take on a real meaningful signifigance... as I'm sure it did with many a man.. Still I never acquired the taste.
2chnlben
595 posts
 
Indeed. They were one of the most creative and talented bands recording at the time (in their genre). Don’t forget how good the drummer was – he was very much a jazz-influenced player. It’s sad that Tommy, Toy and George are all gone now.
ml8764ag's avatar
ml8764ag OP
481 posts
 
Good to see all the responses...thank you, now I have some additional insight AND have their concert DVD in my Netflix queue... Good Stuff.

Definitely don't want to forget the others in the band (drummer, bass player, etc.)...as folks have mentioned here, it's the chemistry and cohesiveness that made them work.

Side Note: did some searches yesterday...looks like they are on the summer festival/fare tour...and actually playing in my state...(unfortunately, 5 hours away)... wondering how they would be with only one (I think) original member left and 35 years past. I might just grab one of their more recent albums just to check them out.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,682 posts
 
Check out "Running Like The Wind" a very well recorded album and a showcase of the multi-talented and highly versatile MTB.
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