Dedicated

AMG Review of Dedicated

Rob Theakston
All Music Guide

After the loss of his brother/bandmate Tommy Caldwell in a serious car accident and the loss of another brother shortly thereafter, guitarist Toy Caldwell and the surviving members of the Marshall Tucker Band found it in themselves to record another record in 1981. Under the production of Tom Dowd, Dedicated is a sleek, well-polished album not unlike their previous few endeavors. The group borders the fine line between radio-friendly ock and the Southern rock sound that was so popular at the time, with songs like "Rumors Are Raging" tempering out slower, more pop-friendly songs like "Tonight's the Night" and "Love Some." Contributions from Charlie Daniels on fiddle help to give the group a lean towards the raditional country of their earlier records, but Dowd keeps the production slick and tight enough for it not to stray too much outside ock territory. The album's crown jewel unquestionably lies in its final track "Ride in Peace"; a touching farewell written and recorded in one take that stands with some of the best songs the group has ever recorded.