By the mid-‘70s, the Marshall Tucker Band had grown beyond its Southern Rock base thanks to near-constant touring and recording. Searchin’ for a Rainbow took them a step further, bringing them their first AM radio hit, “Fire On the Mountain.” This vivid Western story-song (written by rhythm guitarist George McCorkle) anticipated the Urban Cowboy craze by five years. Toy Caldwell reaffirms his lead guitar virtuosity on “Bound And Determined” and shows off his elegant pedal steel touch on “Bob Away My Blues” (a tribute to Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys). “Walkin’ And Talkin’” highlights Jerry Eubanks’ nimble reed-work, while “Keeps Me from All Wrong” allows Doug Gray to vocalize soulfully. The tracks gain added kick from such guest players as fiddler Charlie Daniels and Allman Brothers guitarist Dickie Betts, but what comes through most is Marshall Tucker’s impeccable chemistry as an ensemble and the increased command of Caldwell and McCorkle’s songwriting. Searchin’ for a Rainbow is the work of a band on the verge of mass success, still testing their limits and chasing dreams.