Customer Reviews

Beyond the Horizon

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

BEYOND THE HORIZON is Marshall Tucker's best album since 1983. On this one, singer/guitarist Chris Hicks shares lead vocals with Doug Gray, singing many songs on his own and giving the band a new voice while returning it to the old 70s sound of records such as the self-titled debut, A NEW LIFE and WHERE WE ALL BELONG. Several songs are not so great, but the great ones make this a 5-star release.

If Toy and Tommy Caldwell were still around I've got to believe that this outing would have their blessing. The songwriting is strong throughout and two of the tracks were written by Toy himself. My personal two favorite tracks ("The Rain" and "Give It All You Got") were both written and sung by Chris Hicks, who has a total of 8 writing or co-writing credits on the cd. Doug Gray is in fine voice on this disc as is Hicks and the rest of the band. The playing is strong throughout, with flautist David Muse carrying on in the style originally established by Jerry Eubanks, and Doug Gray's nephew, Clay Cook, showcasing his incredible talents on a couple of the tracks, as well as co-writing two tunes with Chris Hicks. Original Tucker producer (from the band's glory days on Capricorn Records), Paul Hornsby, lends his keyboard talents to 8 of the tracks, greatly helping to retain the feel of the original MTB line-up. Grumpy Old Tuckerheads will no doubt complain that without a Caldwell in the group it ain't the Marshall Tucker Band, but this is a finely crafted album that is true to the tradition established by the original band and is deserving to be heard by Tucker fans of all stripes.

this new cd has done the boys proud the great southern style is there the new with the old. doug's vocals are in great shape and you dont have to worry about the next generation of tucker boys. THEY hold true to the toy caldwell sound and I AM very proud to say that this new cd is great not a bad song on the list i have been with the good old tucker sound for thirty years and they just keep moving along with the great sound that i love so much Thanks to MTB TAKE A LISTEN YOU WON'T BE SORRY THANKS SKEETGUN

I am very impressed with this group of musician's. They have really found that MTB sound and have made one of there most compelete albums of the bands career. I think that Chris Hicks songwriting has really helped this album take a direction, Just as Toy Caldwell used to do. And Doug Gray himself and the rest of the band really shine. So if you are an MTB fan this is definitely an album not to ignore. Also check out Chris Hicks solo Funcky Broadway...awesome album....I am fastly becoming a fan of his. MTB keep it going you guy's have really found that magic.

While I'm a huge fan of boys from their early beginnings, admittedly I haven't been keeping up the releases of late. I see Doug Gray as the soul member. An important member with that strong, distinct voice. But, Gray's voice has changed. The only time I heard his pure voice of the past are in the ballads. The rest was damn near unrecognizable. The songs are OK, but they do lack any kind of magic or chemistry. This might as well be a tribute band with similar sounding country rock songs.

..this is a good one! "Beyond the Horizon" is a beautiful effort, full of southern spirit that stands proudly among the best ones from the band. All in all the main guys are gone forever and why should we blame Gray's job to keep the name of the band alive, and making good new music too?

Agree with other reviews. It's an excellent CD given the bands history and sound.

This CD bursts with the enthusiasm and genuineness of the first ten
Tucker releases. It's as if there were a 20 year time warp between Tenth
and this album. It seems like the natural progression that would have
been made had Tommy Caldwell (who died in a Jeep accident in 1980) not
left us so young. His spirit fills this album from beginning to end - thanks in no small part to new bassist Tony Heatherly, who played in Toy Caldwell's Band for almost ten years and was Tommy's good friend growing up in Spartanburg, SC. If
this is the last MTB CD, it is the perfect bookend to a storied career.
But I truly hope there is much more beyond the horizon...

If Tommy's spirit is felt throughout the album, there can be no doubt who
provides the heart - Doug Gray. He produced the album, but more
importantly he provided the direction; allowing his band mates to let
their immense talents shine. And he sings his tail off. His vocals are
incredible. Through the roof in fact, especially on Ride of Your Life.
But more on that later. New member Chris Hicks wrote the majority of
the songs and really captures the old Tucker vibe - something that had
been missing since the departure of Toy Caldwell (in 1983). And each
band member, just like in the early days, has the chance to add their
personality to the tunes. From Tony's thumping bass to David's sax and
flute riffs... to Stuart's slide guitar and Chris' lead guitar... and
B.B.'s incredible work behind the drum kit. This line-up really comes
together. Any Tucker fan that loved the music of the original line-up
will love this CD as well.

Now about the songs... Ride of Your Life - get ready for this - is
perhaps my favorite MTB song of all-time. It features the vocals of both
Chris and Doug - and Mr. Gray delivers perhaps his fiercest vocal
performance ever! You feel great songs. They create a vision and take
you to another place and time. Ride, with it's vivid imagery, does all
that and more - it connects with your soul and lifts your spirit.
David Muse's flute and sax give the song that distinct MTB sound. Muse,
an original member of Firefall, has now been with Tucker for 5 years.

Give It All You Got, written by Chris, is pure unadulterated pleasure.
If this song doesn't lift your spirit, you better crawl in the ground and
ask someone to start throwing dirt on you. It's a powerful song of
conviction and faith.

Texas on My Mind is a slow waltz written by Toy Caldwell. It was
originally recorded with his band in 1993 (and sung by curent MTB member
Tony Heatherly, who was formerly the bassist for Toy). Doug sings so
good on this version it hurts. And, man... Chris' guitar playing. Well,
just wait 'til you hear it. It'll give ya chills, I promise.

The title cut, Beyond the Horizon, is reminiscent of the Old West songs
(Fire on the Mountain, Unto These Hills, et al) that Tucker did in the
early days. It would have sounded right at home on their albums such as
Searchin' for a Rainbow, Running Like the Wind or Tenth. Flute, drums,
vocals and guitar all capture the urgency of a man on the run - and Tony
throws in some bass licks at all the right times, providing the perfect
punctuation. It's classic Tucker all the way.

What the Future Holds warms the soul like a slow summer sunrise on a
clear mountain morning... and Stuart's voice cuts through the crisp

mountain air like those first golden rays of sunshine. And David's flute
adds a nice gentle breeze.

You can envision the steam rising from the crossroads on the next tune,
King of the Delta Blues - a biography of the life of blues great Robert
Johnson. To say this song smolders is an understatement. It's so hot,
it melts the blacktop. Absolutely incredible!

Set You Free, penned by Chris and sung by Doug, packs more into a two
minute song than any I've ever heard. Over the top vocals, punctuating
guitar and vibrant sax backed by electrifying piano fills. This one'll
get folks dancing in the aisles without a doubt!

The pace slows down with The Rain. A sad bluesy song that, in the end,
offers hope through redemption. Tucker fans have heard this for the last
several years in concert and it's so nice to finally have on CD. David
Muse's sax provides the perfect musical italics for the songs lyrics.

The band takes a turn down a country road with Honky Tonk Heart. It
features a myriad of instrumentation and Doug once again nails it - and
the line, "she stood next to Jesus when he gave it all"... Wow. The
tune also features great harmonies. It'll make you want to cry in a cold
one for sure!

Beginning in 1997 MTB began paying homage to the late Toy Caldwell by
performing Midnight Promises live. Originally, Chris was going to sing
this with Toy (on the TCB's CD released in 1992) but that idea gave way
to Gregg Allman doing what was to be Chris' vocal part.... But Chris is
finally given his turn here and I believe Toy would be proud.

Never Find Another You cuts right to the heart of lost love. This is a
song everyone can relate to because at one time or another we've all lost
that one person we thought was the only one for us - and Chris captures
the mood perfectly in this finely written song. Doug takes the reins
vocally and delivers the message with heartfelt passion. Like all the
songs on the CD, you'll find the lyrics running through your mind long
after the CD player has been turned off.

The CD closes with a short little romp called Down This Road Before, Part
1, sung by drummer B.B. Borden (founding member of Motheršs Finest and
former member of the Outlaws and Molly Hatchet). Like the rest of the CD
it leaves you wanting more... I just hope this time around it's not
another five years before we get a new Tucker CD! This release is pure

alchemy - just like all the classic Tucker works. Words can't express
how incredible this CD is - at all kinds of levels. This is timeless,
great music... Vintage Tucker for sure!

Folks,

It is plain and simple; the current band using the Marshall Tucker Band offers only ONE of the original band's lineup: vocalist Doug Gray. While some of these current members may very well be fine musicians in their own right, they are NOT the Marshall Tucker Band. Just listen to the samples and that will be all you need to hear to make your own opinion. By the way, the "reviewer" who has the long, overblown revue is a closely-associated person to the current band and has a vested interest interest in seeing them succeed. For him to call this current CD offering his favorite Marshall Tucker offering is just plain idiotic!

Long live the memories of the original and TRUE Marshall Tucker Band and especially the souls of Toy & Tommy Caldwell. Rest in peace dear brothers.

The guy from Tennessee below seems to have it right. Listening to the samples was enough to tell me that this is not the MTB sound I look forward to and have enjoyed for many years. There are slight hints of the MTB sound in the samples but not enough for me. Get "Stompin'Room Only" - MTB at its finest and as it should be heard - jammin' and rockin' live.