TOOK A LONG TIME [AKA: PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER]

Also known as " Putting It Back Together". This 1976 release was always going to be a hard act to follow 1973's Lord Of The Ages. Perhaps bourne on the success of Lord Of The Ages the band took too long to make another release ( three years was quite a long time between albums in the 70's) They also went through some more line up changes. Took A Long Time quite aptly titled is not a bad album at all though. Not anywhere as good as it's predecessor but the material is not bad. Pick Withers on drums of later Dire Straits fame laid down some good rhythms. This inconsistent album is mediocre but very upbeat in parts too. Highlights would have to be the opener ' Putting It Back Together', the lengthy ' Wild Bird' and the excellent closer ' Book About Us'. The rest is kind of filler material with nothing really standing out. As usual Chris Simpson play the lead role and Tommy Hoy struts his stuff.This is a must for collectors only.

MAGNA CARTA had always held a fascination for American folk and country music even on earlier albums where their English origins could not be denied. After a several year layoff, they returned with a decidedly more convincing American country sound at turns reminiscent of JAMES TAYLOR, MICHAEL MURPHY, LOGGINS AND MESSINA, and other bands and artists operating in that era.

While the twee is almost banished, and the muscle of the rhythm section which includes Pick Withers later of DIRE STRAITS is impressive, this is ultimately not a very distinguished recording, even if it marks an uptick over "Martin's Cafe". "Took a Long Time" (one of their most lucid ballads), "My Dear Rose", "Wild Bird" (like Magna Carta's "Free Bird" if you will), and "Tomorrow is a Long Time" all show a comfort level with this genre that the group has rarely exhibited before, but the rest simply lack sufficient inspiration to transcend the generic.

The progressive quotient entirely absent, "Took a Long Time" didn't take a long time to assess as a 2 star effort of interest for historians only.