Well, another great southern rock band with more country influences than any other is doing a great thing (ala - Grateful Dead), they are remastering their great seventies studio discs and adding bonus material. Rhino records does the Grateful Dead material while Shout Factory, an offshoot from Rhino is working on the MTB catalog. I have already reviewed some of their discs, old and new. More good news, next month, the new version of the MTB has another new release. Doug Gray is the only original member, but that is another story.

Honestly, I thought the MTB discs sounded about as good as they could. I have been listening to the boys for thirty years. Shout Factory sent me Where We All Belong, the groups third disc. It is half live and half studio. I cued it up for my two favorites "This Ol Cowboy" and a live "Everyday (I Have The Blues)". I immediately noticed that the CD had been remixed too, I was hearing stuff that I had not heard before in the mix. The CD sparkles, on the studio cuts, McCorkles' acoustic guitar parts shimmer. The percussion is more noticeable than before. Toy's fills and parts never sounded better. Toy can do chicken pickin' better than anyone (A form of lead guitar using a compressor and some hard string pulls on the riffs). Some great liner notes by Barry Alfonso.

The studio part of the disc starts off with my favorite MTB song "This Ol' Cowboy". Toy sings this one and plays some great jazzy lead guitar. "Lo Down Blues" and "In My Own Way" are real country songs with Toy playing great lead guitar and some sweet pedal steel. Doug Sax sings with great emotion.

"Where A Country Boy Belongs" is a great country rock song. Toy really takes off on this one, trading licks with the band and Jerry Eubanks on saxophone.

"Try One More Time" is retro country with Doug's vocal and some nice sax again by Eubanks. Toy teases with delightful guitar parts.

On to the live part. Doug Gray states "Probably the most well-energized set that our band has ever played". This set was recorded July 11, 1974 at Milwaukee's' Uhlein Hall Performing Arts Center. 

"Twenty four Hours at a Time" is really jammed out with Toy and Tommy really in sequence, Charlie Daniels does some great fiddle playing on this track. Then they also kick out a couple of rockers of "Ramblin'" and "Take The Highway".

"Everyday (I Have The Blues)" showcases Toy's prowess as a great blues guitarist. From his fast paced riffs to slowed down blues, he flat out plays.

Related Links:
Official Website  

To visit Jim Moulton's website click here. 

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