Released: 1978
Billboard Chart Peak: #22
1. I'LL BE LOVING YOU
2. LOVE IS A MYSTERY
3. SINGING RHYMES
4. DREAM LOVER (Jerry Eubanks/George McCorkle)
5. EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY (Eubanks/Gray/McCorkle)
6. CHANGE IS GONNA COME (Tommy Caldwell)
7. ASKING TOO MUCH OF YOU* all songs written by Toy Caldwell except as indicated
Of the band's first 13 albums, I think three are often over-looked; "A New Life", "Long Hard Ride" - and this one. It was the follow-up to the their biggest commercial hit, "Carolina Dreams" and it went Gold on the momentum of that alone. Capricorn was in chaos and fast crumbling (soon to go bankrupt) and they did not give the album much support. Too bad, because it is Tucker to the core, though it did not contain any of the Western themed songs the band had become known for. The band, collectively, must have been in angst in the Love Department as that is the theme of each song. The mood, overall, is mellow. Perhaps the reflection of a band that had been on the road giving it all they had for six long years...
While it could be argued they were going through the motions, I think it is just a case of the band sticking with the sound they had become known for. Formula? Perhaps... but wearing what you're comfortable with is a sign of true strength and independence. While they could have tried to evolve with the changing musical landscape of the times, I think it shows their true character that they stuck to their guns.
I'll Be Loving You is a catchy tune that through the years has been well received at concerts. It kicks off with George's funky rhythm riffs and Toy and Jerry soon join in on lead guitar and flute. Paul soon follows with his snappy drum work and then along comes Doug with his distinctively great vocals. The song is a real Marshall Tucker opus.
Love Is a Mystery is a laid back but powerful song which addresses the eternal question of that most elusive of human emotions... and, of course, there's no answer! Just as it should be. Jerry has the chance to really display his incredible sax work on this one. The Love Theme carries on with the only duet Toy and Doug ever sang together, Singing Rhymes. Toy gets the first nod. His vocals are simple and laid back. Doug follows with powerful, soaring vocals. The contrast works to great effect. Dream Lover is a toe tapping little ditty that offers some real nice harmonies. Trademark lead guitar work and flute riffs abound. The pace slows down considerably with Everybody Needs Somebody. The lyrics paint the picture of cloudy, forlorn winter day perfectly. Truer words about love have never been written. Perhaps the same could be said for Change Is Gonna Come, as a doubting lover verbalizes his concerns over the changes wrought with his new-found success. Jerry's sax is at it's jazziest best.
The album closes on a similar sentiment with Asking Too Much of You as the songwriter ponders the faithfulness of his lover on a Saturday afternoon. The song is the only straight acoustic song the band ever recorded and features Tommy and Toy on acoustic guitar.
The album's liner notes state that the music on the album was performed solely by The Marshall Tucker Band. And that was the great thing about the band... it was THEIR music, as THEY wrote it, performed as THEY envisioned it. How many bands could lay those claims? Perhaps that's why it has had such staying power - because it came from their hearts.
- Craig Cumberland