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

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.