Customer Reviews

Running Like the Wind

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

ONE OF MY FAVORITE ALBUMS. GREAT LYRICS AND EXCELLENT MUSIC. AS USUAL THE ENTIRE BAND WAS IN THE GROOVE AND IT WAS MAGIC. MARSHALL TUCKER HAD SOMETHING MOST GROUPS DON'T. NOBODY EVER LET THEIR EGO GET IN THE WAY AND IT SHOWED. AS A GROUP THEY WERE AS TIGHT AS ANYBODY.

I am a die hard MTB fan, and honestly, went into listening to this LP with high hopes. Unfortunately, I do believe that 'Together Forever' marked the high point of MTB discography, in all aspects. With 'Together Forever' MTB had the cleanest sound, the best engineering, top notch production, phenominal guitar playing and songwriting by Toy Caldwell, and solid, skilled vocals by Doug Gray.

'Running Like the Wind' could easily have been titled 'Running Out of Wind' as Doug Gray's vocals are clearly not up to task. Whatever transpired between the two albums, something had taken a serious toll on the band. Toy Caldwells once prominent guitar is nearly missing entirely from the album, with only token appearances in a few tracks. Doug Grays vocals are wavering, thin, uncoordinated and hollow. the album is laden with horns that feel both out of place and contrived.

I say this with deep regret, this was the album that MTB should never have made. Compare this to ALL previous releases. Is this due to a new Producer, new label and a band that was becoming both musically, physically and mentally exhausted?

The Marshall Tucker Band was one of the best groups to come out of the 1970's and will always be on the top of my list. This 1979 release brought an immediate end to the MTB signature sound that we are all fond of. Perhaps for some this is welcome. For others, a sad closure.

I appreciate the 5 stars given by the previous 2 reviewers, but I fear the rating has been given out of (due) respect to Tommy, Toy and George. (RIP) MTB is a 5 star band. But this album was not.

Absolutely! One of my favorite Tucker Recordings + my favorite song "Last of the Singing Cowboys". If your a southern-rock fan you must own this CD. It has been too long a wait for this to become available in CD format. And don't forget to purchase "Tenth", equally outstanding....Peace.

I have bought all of the early MTB albums recently. I love them all. RLTW has turned out to be a masterpiece. This is from a fan who missed out on MTB first time round but who has discovered them recently.

Going through my old albums, I ran across this one. I hadn't heard these tunes for 20 years and as soon as I discovered this CD online, I had to have it! This is one of my favorite MTB albums, a great mixture of southern rock and contemporary sounds, with a little jazz thrown in. Not your run-of-the-mill southern rocker, grind-it-out tunes; instead a great variety of tunes... tunes you'll be whistling the day away with.

The title song is kind of aimless, not really going anywhere and taking its time getting there. You gotta love the flute playing, though, in it. I have no idea why I respect bands that play unorthodox instruments on a rock cd, but I do and I give them more leeway than I would other bands because of their originality. Last of the Singing Cowboys could easily be early Chicago singing it, but I like the horn section on it. What bugs me about that song is it is about a cowboy, but there is literally no country flavor to it. It's kind of a misnomer in that sense. Highlight of the album is Unto These Hills, just a really good southern rock song. It's not a bad cd by any stretch, but a perfect five star cd? I can't bring myself to do it. The weakness of Singing Cowboys and the title track is too much to overcome. Anyway, the rest of the cd is vintage Tucker band, and I really like it. Good cd, just not great.

How do yah' describe a blend of southern rock, jazz, and sumpthin' else I can't put a label on??? Simply put.... good, real good music!!!! Last of the Singin' Cowboys is a fast-paced ballad-type tune that can actually bring a tear to the eye. Runnin' Like the Wind... the title tune... is a knee jerker!!!!

This album is in my personal top-100 album list. Try it!!! You'll probably like it!!! If not.... heck... try Hanson or the Spice Girls!!!!!! Ackkkkk!!!!!!!

This is the only MT album (vinyl) I never had - I had the cassette way back in the late 70's and 80's - and of course that absolutely wore out - I looked for years for a used album or a cassette but it was out of print. I knew it was going to be re-released, and I just couldn't wait. It is by far one of their best and I am so glad I can hear it again.

I heard this music on the radio and liked it. I knew right where to go to find it?? AMAZON!!!!!!

... and erases the youthful prejudices brought on by a sense of betrayal and loss. I vividly recall the times surrounding the release of "Running Like The Wind" and can now see that my rejection of this 1979 release was based more on those feelings than on the performances presented therein. Southern rock and Capricorn Records were facing an uphill battle during the disco era that was in full swing at this time. When MTB signed on with Warner Brothers my initial reaction was that they had sold out and had become part of the corporate music machine. My guess is that many others had the same thoughts as "Running Like The Wind" still could have been a monumental success had the original fan base simply given this release an unbiased listen.

There is much to like here as the songwriting and performances are mighty fine. Everyone is on their game including Doug Gray who consistently delivers top notch vocals on 6 of the 7 tracks. Tommy Caldwell steps up to the mic for the one remaining track, "Melody Ann", and delivers a warm, southern tribute to his special lady. This track has that "Where We All Belong" feel to it and would have fit in nicely on that album.

Harkening back to the formula used to kick off "A New Life", RLTW opens up with an extended, moody title track that clocks in at 9+ minutes and sets the bar high. "Last of the Singing Cowboys" comes next and is an outstanding story song that expands the boundaries of where MTB's western swing/jazz numbers had gone previously and would rarely reach again. No doubt Warner's input regarding the arrangement and production on this specific number transformed it into the big-time event it ends up becoming. Fortunately, Toy Caldwell punctuates the proceedings with his trademark licks leaving MTB's unmistakable brand permanently imbedded.

"Answer to Love" is the third track and features Doug Gray's vocals which are subtle and plaintive throughout until he delivers the powerful plea that concludes it. "Unto These Hills" comes next and is an extended workout where Toy shines and shares the spotlight with Jerry Eubanks. The aforementioned "Melody Ann" slides into to the fifth slot preceding another Warner influenced number, "My Best Friend". This high energy tune is given a full, west coast horn arrangement similar to what the Doobie Brothers had employed on their "Stampede" album (1975 WB). Toy really gets to cut loose on the tail end of this one. By contrast, the next track "Pass It On" is a return to basics and the more traditional MTB sound. This is another tune that would have fit well on any of the preceding Capricorn-era albums and closes the album out nicely.

I am certainly glad that I gave "Running Like The Wind" a fresh listen after all of these years. It showcases a different MTB sound that is very enjoyable and is a welcome addition to my music collection.