The Marshall Tucker Band's third set only underlines the difficulties of this country-tinged six: lackluster arrangements and long solos. On the studio half of this double album, the band meanders slowly and almost randomly through Toy Caldwell's songs, running workable ideas into the ground from lack of variation. Caldwell in turn allows his sometimes exciting guitar work to slip back to phrases he used on The Marshall Tucker Band and A New Life. The live record does feature an initially spirited version of their "24 Hours at a Time," garnished with the freshness of guest Charlie Daniels's fiddle. But he, Caldwell and hearty singer Doug Gray are eventually overwhelmed by 13 minutes plus of soloing. Length does not mean strength, and laid back doesn't mean lax. (RS 179)

CHARLEY WALTERS