Released in 1977 — six albums into Marshall Tucker's career, just as freeform FM radio was increasingly tightening up toward consultant-whitewashed AOR — Carolina Dreams is an easy album to be cynical about. The opening cut, for heaven's sake, is called “Fly Like an Eagle”: just like the Steve Miller smash from a year before, not to mention the second Tucker title about eagles flying. But it takes us on a warm riverboat ride toward the early REO Speedwagon/Head East prairie-rock Midwest over a shave-and-a-haircut clavé rhythm regardless. And the band's biggest pop hit comes next. “Heard It In a Love Song” famously features Toy Caldwell drawling about his boots needing new soles, then grabbing his duffle bag because he's free as a bird now and he's got the bad grammar to match: “I was born a wrangler and a rounder, and I guess I always will.”

“I Should Have Never Started Lovin'You” unfolds its smooth-jazzed Southern soul over seven minutes; “Desert Skies” could be the Texas Playboys back in their most mellow saddle, getting along little doggie at a clippity-clopping equestrian pace until a sax solo worthy of Steely Dan enters around the 4:25 mark. Then six… read more »