The instrumental introduction to "Walkin' the Streets Alone," in which Toy Caldwell's guitar speaks with the grace of both country-jazz and blues, captures the essence of the Marshall Tucker Band today. Although failing to hit the highs of last year's Searchin' for a Rainbow, Long Hard Ride reflects the band's refined instrumental attack. The best songs here are primarily acoustic and move with an organic country-rock quality not unlike the Grateful Dead's.

The difference between Tucker's peaks and plains is best exemplified by rhythm guitarist George McCorkle's songwriting contributions. His "Fire on the Mountain," on Rainbow, and the new "Holding On to You" both use Toy's steel guitar to accentuate the music's country roots and sentiments. But where the former's lyrics conjured images that had a vivid symbolic life of their own, the latter's lackluster lyrics lack the language to enliven it.

When their songs push beyond simple homilies, the Tuckers use their fluid Southern synthesis to evoke unabashedly American images much like the Band's. At other times, the songs remain nothing more than solid contenders. Toy Caldwell usually makes the difference. The creative core of the band, he's clearly the standout, with a guitar solo that slides off the vocal chorus and spirals above a propulsive band sound. Such spirit helps Long Hard Ride reaffirm Marshall Tucker's status as a thoroughbred, even if this isn't the record to win them the Triple Crown. (RS 219)

JOHN MILWARD