Search - The Marshall Tucker Band - Live From the Garden State 1981 on DVD

Finally on DVD

TonySimps | New Jersey, USA | 05/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I attended this concert at the Garden State Art Center (now the PNC Bank Art Center), in Holmdel, New Jersey, back in August, 1981. And for most of the kids I went with it was our first concert.

The music:
What I always liked about the Marshall Tucker Band is that it set itself apart from other southern rockers with it's own unmistakable sound (flute and sax), and unique style that blended country and rock with jazz. Here the band performs their classics "Heard it in a Love Song", "Fire on the Mountain", "Can't You See", and "Searchin' for a Rainbow". You'll see from this concert that Southern rock fans reach pretty far north. And what made this concert particularly poignant was that it was at a pivotal time for the band. It took place only a year after the death of original member Tommy Caldwell.

DVD production:
The video and sound quality is surprising good for being shelved nearly 25 years. The direction and editing are also good compared to other concert videos I've seen even today. Here, you get to see faces clearly, close-up instrumental work, the audience, backstage, etc. The disk includes a film on the band's history, featuring comments by Charlie Daniels . . . worth the DVD alone.

It was fortunate MTV was around to capture MTB at a time when most concerts were not recorded. Now the video age brings it back again. If The Marshall Tucker Band recalls good times, you'd be glad to include this concert into your music DVD collection. For me, viewing this DVD was like replaying one of my best concert memories.

Tony"

Whoa, take me back in time

Jo King | Little Old Town in Midwest | 12/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I could only give this 4 stars due to the some of the sound quality. In a number of places Doug Gray's voice tends to fade. Not so much for his backing away from the mike, but some technical difficulties that rose it's ugly head occasionally. Don't get me wrong. Doug's voice is in fine form and it shines %99.9 in this concert. If your familiar with Marshall Tucker, you'll know they are not visually entertaining. I mean their music is what entertains the crowd. The band just plays it well. I've seen Marshall Tucker many times when they were climbing up to their zenith. And this concert is captures them perfectly. With as many times as I have seen them I never knew Toy played lead with his thumb, but then again I was never this close.

And as for the selection of songs, I couldn't be happier. I love the "Dedicated" Album. There is not one song on here I would have removed. While I have had the live version of "Ramblin" engrained in my brain, yea, I would have liked to see the bass solo here. Still no complaints.

Video wise... Hey, it's 1981. Were probably lucky they caught it on film. So it does have a somewhat dated look. Some of editing has a little to be desired. Some camera movement too, but these are real nitpicky arguements (Nothing like the horrid first Lynyrd Skynrd concert mess). The concert is focus's on the band, as it should and not a lot of audience images.

If your a Tucker fan, you most likely will enjoy the hell out of this concert. Pick it up, sit back and enjoy the"

Incredible!

Warren Bunn | Castaic, Ca United States | 11/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is classic Tucker at it's best.If you are a Tucker fan
please buy this!!It will not dissappoint."

Great Show

Jim M | New Jersey | 11/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was in the front row for this show and I bugged the people at MTV for years to get a copy of it. One of the best southern rock shows you'll ever see by one of the best southern rock bands ever!!"