The Charlie Daniels Band - Volunteer Jam III (1977)

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I think the Volunteer Jams, hosted by Charlie Daniels in the 70's, were the culmination of everything that's good about Southern Rock. Like a celebration of brotherhood and good music, with loads of different artists teaming up, regardless of musical background or preferences. Actually, I think these shows are what Southern Rock used to be all about: a big melting pot of different styles of music, all played with that distinctive feel that makes you recognize it for what it is. Great music from the South played by great musicians from the South and from outside. The original files I got from friendly former blogspot Tell It To The Devil. Those files came with the original commercials in between songs. It gave a nice impression of radio in the 70's, some commercials are quite hilarious to hear now. And it's very nice to hear Ray Charles sing praise to Scotch audio tapes. You can get the original files here.. However, for repeated listening enjoyment, I found they become annoying after a few spins. Therefore I edited those out as much as possible, and tried creating one big show lasting over 90 minutes. Pure ear-candy for the rugged Southern Rock ear. Obviously it starts off with The Charlie Daniels Band doing their thing. Hey, this is 1977, and The Charlie Daniels Band is having their finest hour. A nice set, featuring songs like 'Cumberland Mountain Number Nine', Sweet Louisiana, Roll Mississippi and High Lonesome. Then it's time for Willie Nelson to come up with the goods. And he does with classics like 'Stay A Little Longer' and Good Hearted Woman. Killer track of this show, in my opinion, is 'Green Grass & High Tides' by The Outlaws. Throughout the artists are helped out by people like Bonnie Bramlett, Jimmy Hall,Mylon LeFevre, Chuck Leavell and the boys from Grinderswitch. There's one song by Papa John Creach, of which I don't know the title (help me out here). Toy Caldwell of The Marshall Tucker Band closes up with a little help from a lot of people. All in all, this is a perfect example of what Southern Rock was really all about. Can't You See?!

Toy Caldwell - Toy (1984)

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When Toy Caldwell left The Marshall Tucker Band, it would take up until 1992 before the world would hear a new studio product by one of the finest pickers Southern Rock had brought forth. But he did not sit still. He did work and record in the studio, it just never got released and, according to his widow, it's not about to. Now what we have here must be leaked recordings. Not the best of quality, some muffled sounds (probably from copying tape to tape to tape?), but still a splendid work of art. And the only chance for us fans to hear what Toy Caldwell had been doing all those in between years. This recording is very much a Country thing, but with that unmistakable trademark guitar sound that we so love from those early Tucker albums. Here's a real fine band, doing a real fine record. I don't know who's on it besides Toy, but from what I've been told, this features Norton Buffalo on harmonica, Bruce Marshall did some of the vocals, Ronnie Godfrey had some part in this and Paul Hornsby worked on the production? Here's still hoping this will one day get the release it deserves, sounding as good as it can. But this is still the kind of stuff you can only find at the end of a rainbow. Pure solid Southern gold.

Toy Caldwell - Toy Caldwell (1992)

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The late, great Toy Caldwell made one solo album in his life (though posthumously a live CD was released in 1998). Of course we all know and love him from his work with The Marshall Tucker Band, where his characteristic guitar style was center point of attention. You could always tell Toy's playing.
This album was later re-released as "Son Of The South" on Charlie Daniels' Blue Hat Records. The difference was that it featured a bonus track, a live version of "Can't You See". Also it had a really ugly cover. Both are now out of print. This version, the one that I have, is the original. So without the bonus. Sorry for that. Still, it doesn't matter much to me. This album was really fine as it was. Great classic Southern Rock, with guest appearances by Gregg Allman ("Midnight Promises"), Willie Nelson ("Night Life") and Charlie Daniels. Toy has passed away, but the music lives on. Remember this ol' cowboy.