Marshall Tucker Band Reach Into Archives for New Live Album
'Live From Englishtown' highlights a 150,000-capacity concert from 1977
By Andrew Leahey | October 16, 2014
1977 was a good year for the Marshall Tucker Band. Southern rock had become one of the most popular sounds on commercial radio, priming the band — whose members had spent the past half-decade on the road, sharing shows with everyone from Charlie Daniels Band to Bonnie Bramlett — for the sort of mainstream, platinum-certified success enjoyed by groups like Lynyrd Skynyrd. That success officially arrived with 1977's "Heard it in a Love Song," a Top 40 tune that appealed not only to long-hairs and country-rockers, but also soccer moms and pop fans, as well. (Flute fans probably dug it, too.)
Later that year, the Marshall Tucker Band played an outdoor show in Englishtown, New Jersey. The bill also featured Sea Level, a spin-off of the recently dissolved Allman Brothers Band, and the Grateful Dead, whose combined presence brought more than 150,000 fans to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park. It was one of the biggest shows of the Marshall Tucker Band's career. Three and a half decades later, the group's 70-minute set is being released as Live from Englishtown, a live album that showcases the Marshall Tucker Band — whose current lineup features Doug Gray as the only original member — with their golden-era membership intact.
"The 1977 Englishtown concert was one of the largest shows in the history of the Marshall Tucker Band," says Gray. "These recordings will give fans and those who attended a chance to relive that special day by hearing the original MTB lineup in its prime."
The album, which includes "Can't You See," "Fire on the Mountain," "Heard it in a Love Song" and other MTB staples, hit stores this week.
Thanks for the heads up. Downloading this one now for a listen later.
Evidently the sound quality is not great but for anyone who collects bootlegs I am betting it will be just fine.
Thanks for the heads up. Downloading this one now for a listen later.
Can you give us a quick opinion on sound quality? thanks
MTB sure have release a lot of archival live albums in the past few years. I like them a lot, but none of the live albums really light up my ears.
i am five songs into first listen and it is definitely "bootleggy" quality. You can pick up all the instruments but is a bit on the tinny and very slightly muffled side. A fun listen but not pristine by any stretch.
i have most of the live stuff they released on the SHOUT FACTORY label
They were my first live band in 1974.
I ended up seeing them 15 times by 1981.
George McCorkle babysat my son.
I bought every album as released, then the Shout Factory remasters, and every legitimate release since.
I proudly display a Capricorn promo poster, framed here in my living room.
It is because of what this band means to me, that keeps me from buying this.
The sound quality is so poor on the Amazon samples, plus I've been warned by those I trust, I just can't add this to my collection.
HOW in the Hell do you take Tommy's bass out of the mix ???
Inexcusable. None of the ABB's archival recordings sound THIS bad !
This was a great show. We came up from Virginia to see the Dead, but MTB put on a good show indeed.I have had a decent audience of the MTB for years.. Can't believe Rolling Stone says Sea Level were there as it was The New Riders of the Purple Sage who opened.
This was a great show. We came up from Virginia to see the Dead, but MTB put on a good show indeed.I have had a decent audience of the MTB for years.. Can't believe Rolling Stone says Sea Level were there as it was The New Riders of the Purple Sage who opened.
I noticed this too. Rolling Stone is obviously more out of touch with the rock and roll scene than ever
I picked up the "Live from Long Island" a few years ago and still love this CD. It was from April 1980 and was the last concert all the original members played together on as Tommy Caldwell was killed in a car accident a few days later. They open with "Running Like the Wind" and the show was excellent. Its also special to me as I was at this concert. Original Tucker was an amazing live act all the guys could bring it.
They were my first live band in 1974.
I ended up seeing them 15 times by 1981.
George McCorkle babysat my son.
I bought every album as released, then the Shout Factory remasters, and every legitimate release since.
I proudly display a Capricorn promo poster, framed here in my living room.
It is because of what this band means to me, that keeps me from buying this.
The sound quality is so poor on the Amazon samples, plus I've been warned by those I trust, I just can't add this to my collection.
HOW in the Hell do you take Tommy's bass out of the mix ???
Inexcusable. None of the ABB's archival recordings sound THIS bad !
The original line-up was awesome, but this sounds like a money grab to me. Doug Gray and a bunch of hired guns, playing 250 seat halls; then releasing a sub-par recording from the old days...
They were my first live band in 1974.
I ended up seeing them 15 times by 1981.
George McCorkle babysat my son.
I bought every album as released, then the Shout Factory remasters, and every legitimate release since.
I proudly display a Capricorn promo poster, framed here in my living room.
It is because of what this band means to me, that keeps me from buying this.
The sound quality is so poor on the Amazon samples, plus I've been warned by those I trust, I just can't add this to my collection.
HOW in the Hell do you take Tommy's bass out of the mix ???
Inexcusable. None of the ABB's archival recordings sound THIS bad !The original line-up was awesome, but this sounds like a money grab to me. Doug Gray and a bunch of hired guns, playing 250 seat halls; then releasing a sub-par recording from the old days...
Saw them do a free show in Syracuse a few years back, it was painful to watch what was once a grate band.
Doug Gray is an embarrassment.
I have to agree. Saw them last year in Charlotte. The band was actually good but Doug was an embarrassment. He spent all his time trying to get young girls to come on stage and just talking trash. I'm sure the band just cringes when he does it, but you know the place sold out so someone is making a little money. There is way too much great music out there to be wasting your money on this act.
The only Marshall Tucker band I'll ever know! 
The only Marshall Tucker band I'll ever know!
Wouldn't you love if this was high quality! Cause it is the real deal that is for sure.
The only Marshall Tucker band I'll ever know!
And wow. might not be the best footage but look who we have sitting in here. Like I said, this is the real deal here.
The only Marshall Tucker band I'll ever know!
And wow. might not be the best footage but look who we have sitting in here. Like I said, this is the real deal here.
Any time Toy and his thumb are playing Every Day, I don't need to see it.....I just need to hear and feel it.
And of anyone who can add to the sauce makes it that much better! 😛
Thanks for the post.
Yeah, probably best not to see them these days. I have two MTB's under my belt. One show back in the 70's was a fundraiser for their high school in Spartanburg, SC that burned down. Wonderful outdoor show.
About 10 years ago in Asheville, NC they played one of those fireman fundraiser shows that hit most towns. It actually was a very good show. Afterwards Doug Gray and the band did a meet and greet and signed my ticket.
I'll stick with those memories.
Thanks,
Mike
Yep, the sound quality is not very good on this new one.......but if you can get past that and tweak the equalizer the best you can...and the sound really is an issue......the actual music captured at this gig is fantastic...upbeat and funky and smoking.........a thumpin' 12-minute "Never Trust A Stranger" that rocks!
yeah the sound isn't too hot. the release was delayed a few times trying to get better sound but only so much the band had to work with
