Poco- Cantamos

Cantomos

On Cantamos, Poco shows that they did indeed have life after the departure of founder Richie Furay. Cantamos is significant in the history of Poco in that it signals the arrival of Rusty Young as a songwriter as he does an excellent job of filling the songwriting gap left by Furay. The strength of the new material by Young in conjunction with the contributions of Paul Cotton and Tim Schmit result in the strongest song set since the classic "A Good Feelin' to Know" album.

Cantamos provides a vehicle for Poco to show the full range of their talents. Cotton does what he does best, delivering rockers like "Western Waterloo" and "One Horse Blue." Schmit's "What Ever Happened to Your Smile" falls right in line with the relatively laid back acoustic tunes that he specializes in. But it is the great Rusty Young who provides the highlights on Cantamos. The album opens and closes with Young classics "Sagebrush Serenade" and "All the Ways" and his "High and Dry" provides both the literal and figurative centerpiece. "Sagebrush" and "High and Dry" also provide an opportunity for Young to blow us away with his superhuman skills on the pedal steel guitar.

Cantamos has a little bit of everything for Poco fans - great harmonies, lots of energy, and great guitar and pedal steel work. Most importantly, it offers us a peak at things to come; Grantham, Cotton, Schmit and Young were not finished with creating some great music and Poco was ready to carry on a great tradition and were still very much at home on the throne as the kings of country-rock.



Poco-Standing Room Only

Standing Room Only

This collection seems to be an offshoot of some of the acoustic concerts Poco has been doing as of late. The sound quality here is amazing and comes truly highlights the raw sound of the band. The song selection is flawless. The brilliance of both Paul Cotton and Rusty Young is evidenced early on and continues throughout. The mixing and mastering makes for an almost seemless presentation. These could be some of the best versions of these songs ever recorded. My only complaint is that there could be more music here. The disc is only about 40 minutes long. POCO (SRO) volume II would be a great idea!   This has probably been around for awhile but it was a real pleasure to find it recently. As with most Poco recordings I rarely find fault with anything they do so I am somewhat biased. Their longevity alone says what a great group they still are, even without Richie Furay most of the time. As always Paul Cotton is always in fine form. It's also always nice to hear them live as the songs always change according to their mood and lineup. I've always thought that live versions of any group is better if you really want to know if a group is still good or should hang up their hats and retire gracefully. Dear Poco... Never give it up! This recording is just fine and a wonderful addition toany music collection.   I dont own this one, as I have ever Poco CD.

Poco-Forgotten Trail

Forgotten Trail

Poco became more successful in the late seventies, but this collection covers their equally interesting formative years. During that period, their success was modest, so a double-CD seems somewhat generous, but it's all good stuff - and I love the cover picture too.Poco were one of the earliest country rock bands. Most such bands placed the emphasis on the rock rather than the country, but Poco included a steel guitarist in their band to emphasise the country. This may explain why they struggled - rock fans have long regarded the steel guitar as a symbol of what is (to them) everything that is wrong with country music, while country fans (at the time) wouldn't touch country rock. Throughout the period covered by this collection, the steel guitar remained a feature of Poco's music, but it never dominates, always being used effectively and well in just the right places.
The albums represented here are Picking up the pieces (5 tracks), Poco (4 tracks), Delivering (3 tracks), From the inside (3 tracks), A good feeling to know (3 tracks), Crazy eyes (4 tracks), Poco Seven (2 tracks) and Cantamos (3 tracks). The other 11 tracks were recorded during the same period, but did not appear on any album. Some were released as singles, while others were not released at all, or are remixes.
Poco's influence is obvious but hard to measure. Two of their members later joined the Eagles, the most successful country rock band of them all, while other country rock bands of the seventies all owed something to Poco. Today, there are many bands who mix rock and country in various ways, but they also owe something to Poco, either directly or indirectly via other bands.
This mammoth collection, with mammoth liner notes, provides a fascinating insight into the early evolution of country rock. Unlike the mammoth, the music is alive and flourishing.

DVD review-Poco Crazy Love

Crazy love DVD

First off, it is a great concert and if you like Poco, the Eagles, CSNY, America, etc. you are going to like this.

There are two versions of this concert on DVD, but this is the one to get. The other is Keeping the Legend Alive CD/DVD

Why? Superior sound! The single DVD version ("Keeping the Legend Alive" by another DVD brand) has all the same extra footage (interviews, photos, rehearsals) but on a single DVD. Thus, to save DVD space to accommodate everything, the stereo track is a compressed Dolby Digital track (not a good thing, all things Dolby are not great). On this version, the extras are moved to a second DVD, and the concert has an uncompressed LPCM soundtrack. I know because I have both versions and this one sounds noticeably better. The single DVD version does come with a cd of the same concert. But this 2-DVD version is the one with the best audio!

But it is the great music why you should buy this!

DVD Review-Poco-Keeping the legend alive

Keeping the legend alive DVD

Keeping the legend alive

This DVD has turned out to be the greatest surprise in many moons. The photography is mature and balanced. The venue, the audience, the lighting: all are in sync. But ultimately, great music is why I buy music dvd's, and this one has me very happy. The sound is full and rich- a gratifying mix of pensive and toe tapping. (I could listen to Rusty Young's slide guitar all night.) I can't help but think they're like the Eagles without the ego trips. Listener friendly, and timeless stuff. Great music. Great people.

Chances are you're not reading this without some knowledge of Poco. If you're in need of some confidence in the quality of the DVD, let me assure you, I had "0" problems with this CD/DVD set. Nothing but first rate.

My only complaint has to do with marketing- why is this set marketed as a music CD (with dvd add-on)? That too often means marginal quality video. Clearly not so in this case. I spend far less these days on CD's than I do on DVD's. This DVD should come up when customers search for new music DVD's. Poco would be making many more people happy. And more people would have yet another reason to agree that so much pop music of today is dismal in comparison.

Al Garth

Al Garth

Al Garth is best known for being a founding member of Loggins & Messina and a member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. In the seventies, he worked with Timothy B. Schmit while in Poco (obviously Tim was not an Eagle yet). Both he and Bernie Leadon were in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but at different times.

Garth has been playing on Glenn Freys records and touring as a part of his backing band since his first album, No Fun Aloud, in 1982. This naturally evolved into him touring with the Eagles as well. Al Garth also Played in Poco during the Rose of Cimmaron period.  he worked with Timothy B. Schmit while in Poco (obviously Tim was not an Eagle yet). Both he and Bernie Leadon were in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but at different times.

Poco-The Essential

The Essential Poco

A couple years ago, Head over heels and Rose of Cimmaron, were very hard to find at resonable rate, at least half of this compilation covers these CD's. Not having HOH or ROC, it filled that gap until i could get them.

This compilation covers the second and most commercially successful part of their career after they switched to the ABC label, which later became part of MCA. Whether you like the music here better than their earlier music will depend on your personal taste, but there is much to like about both compilations., the Forgotten Trail and this one

Poco's early music featured a prominent steel guitar, and while I love the sound of a steel guitar, a lot of people don't and this may have been part of their problem. The steel guitar had gone by the time Poco joined ABC, so you won't hear it on these tracks, which owe more to rock music and less to country music. That said, even these tracks sound more country than you'll hear on contemporary country music stations across America, but that's a whole other issue.

The tracks here are taken from seven albums, these being Head over heels (Keep on tryin', Making love, Lovin' arms, Flying solo), Rose of Cimarron (Rose of Cimarron, Too many nights too long, Tulsa turnaround, Stealaway), Indian summer (Indian summer, Livin' in the band, Me and you), Legend (Crazy love, Heart of the night, Legend), Under the gun (Midnight rain, Under the gun), Blue and grey (Widowmaker, Sometimes) and Cowboys and Englishmen (Price of love, Ashes, Feudin'). Of these tracks, the most recognizable are Rose of Cimarron (later covered by Emmylou Harris), Price of love (Poco's cover of an Everly Brothers song) and the two major American hits from the Legend album, Crazy love and Heart of the night. The success of those two hits propelled the Legend album into the top 20 of the American album charts and the album eventually sold a million.

This is an excellent overview of Poco's music from 1975 to 1982, neatly complementing the Epic compilation. After 1982, Poco recorded some more albums but (it seems) nothing of any consequence. Despite the success of the Legend album and the singles taken from it, Poco remained something of an enigma to the end. Nevertheless, they were an important factor in the history of country-rock music, not least because so many of their members learned their craft with Poco before departing for better things elsewhere. If you enjoy country-rock, you should have at least one Poco album, and it might as well be this one.

George Lawerence

George Lawerence

Hailing from Jackson Mississippi, George has lived and worked in the major music centers of Los Angeles, Nashville, and Muscle Shoals Alabama, recording and touring around the world with some of the best musicians and major recording artists. He is known for his "deep pocket groove" and his ability to inspire other musicians to play their best. During the nineties he gained a reputation as one of the top sub drummers in Nashville. Able to fill in with national recording artists on a moment's notice with no rehearsal, George has been working constantly as a "ringer" or "pinch hitter". He subbed a couple of gigs with POCO in 1999 which led to his becoming a member of that band in 2004. George lives in Nashville where he plays for recording sessions and gigs, teaches private students at his home and at Fork's Drum Closet, and is owner of Not So Modern Drummer magazine and hosts the annual Nashville Drum Show.

A truly versatile jack of all trades and "master of some", he has played funk, R&B, soul music, blues, country, classic rock, pop, big band jazz, be-bop jazz and jazz-rock fusion music. He has spent many years as a recording studio "session cat" and reads standard transcription and Nashville number charts flawlessly. He has played drum set in every imaginable setting including concert arenas, videos, TV, clubs, churches, symphony orchestras, and clinics. A professional sideman, George is available to work anywhere in the world for gigs large and small. "Sometimes people are hesitant to call me because they think I only play for Poco or that I might charge too much to play. I am a working drummer and never have too many opportunities. My only criteria for accepting jobs are great music and great people. To contact George about playing a gig or tour or playing on your recordings (your studio or his) email him at george@notsomoderndrummer.com or call him at 330 338 6035.

George is very active in the drumming community both locally and nationally, attending drum festivals and conventions around the country as a performer and clinician. He owns and produces the Nashville Drum Show every Fall. He is one of the administrators for the Nashville Pro Drummers Facebook Group and faithfully attends the monthly Nashville Drummer's lunch. He has taught thousands of students, many who have gone on to become professional drummers and some who have become famous drummers. Of special note is student Keith Carlock, also from their mutual hometown of Jackson Mississippi, who is now recognized as one of the top drummers in the world working with the likes of Steely Dan, Sting, John Mayer and James Taylor. Pro and aspiring pro drummers from around the country seek George out for the highest level of instruction on the drumset.

George owned and operated George's Drum Shop from 1985 through 2010. In 2006 George and Joe Partridge started the Famous Drum Company which manufacturers pro level snare drums and drum sets. In 2008 George bought Not So Modern Drummer magazine from Bill Ludwig III and works as editor, publisher and photographer. He is currently writing the Blue Book of Drums for Not So Modern Drummer which is due for print publication in 2013.

Jack Sundrud

Jack Sundrud

This is Jack's AutoBiography from his website:

Let's see... What would I say if I were me...

• I grew up in northern Minnesota. Small town; pop. 500. Oklee, by name. Got the music bug when I first heard the Beatles. Bought a guitar, played every night until my fingers bled. Joined my first band in high school. And that's what I'm still doing.

•In 1969, I was in an original country-rock band called Podipto, also from MN. We had a good bit of regional success and in '71, we did an album for GRT Records. The band toured with The Carpenters, Elton John, James Taylor, Laura Nyro and, fortuitously enough, Poco. I left in '73 to go to nearby Fargo, doing cover songs 4 sets a night, 7 nights a week for a steady check and free beer. While in Fargo, I worked with a whole bunch of great musicians and learned a whole lot about music.

• I moved to Nashville in '81. Worked as bassist/vocalist on the road with: Vince Gill, Dickey Betts, Nicolette Larson, Michael Johnson, Gail Davies, The O'Kanes, Gary Morris, Kathy Mattea and others.

• I was the singer/writer/rhythm guitar guy for Great Plains, a country-rock band on Columbia and later Magnatone Records. We had some minor success in the early 90s and hung it up in '96.

• Had a job as a staff writer for about 15 years. I've had songs recorded by several artists (see discography), including a #1 by Ty Herndon in '99.

• These days I'm working with the seminal country-rock band Poco. 2010 marked 25 years since I started. I love it. Great guys, great music.

•And I've hung out a production shingle as well. I was co-producer on David Llewellyn's self-titled debut CD and MBird's debut CD, "Over The Bones". I also produced Paul Cotton's, "When The Coast Is Clear" and 2 critically acclaimed CDs by Keith Miles; "What It Was They Became" and the latest, "Beyond the Headlights". Most recently, I produced (along with Ben Strano and Chris) Chris Ross' new CD, "The Steady Stumble". I've also produced my own bad self. My first solo release, "By My Own Hand" in 2005 and "Cage" in 2011.

• I dabble a bit in website design, as well. At first, I learned it so I could do my own site. But as I've learned more, friends have asked me to do their sites. I enjoy it.

George Grantham

George Grantham (born Cordell, Oklahoma, 20 November 1947) is a drummer and vocalist best known for his work with pioneering American country-rock band Poco.

Grantham and pedal steel guitarist sensation Rusty Young were members of a Denver-based psychedelic rock act Boenzee Cryque when Young left the band in mid-1968 for Los Angeles. There he fell in with Buffalo Springfield members Richie Furay and Jim Messina as they wrapped up that act's final album.[1]

With Buffalo Springfield disintegrated, Furay, Messina, and Young joined together to create a new band, Pogo, shortly rechristened Poco after copyright concerns forced a change.

Needing a drummer, Young recruited Grantham, who shortly became part of Poco's founding line-up. A talented singer, Grantham's backup vocals were an important element of the band's distinctive harmony sound.

Grantham remained a member of various Poco line-ups through 1977, a span of ten studio albums and two live releases. He returned in 1985, and was part of four of five band incarnations before departing again 1990. Reunited once more in 2000, he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2002 and was unable to rejoin the band again until some vocals-only appearances in 2009.

Grantham also found time to play most of the drums on Neil Young's self-titled 1969 debut solo album, and later worked on recordings by Rick Roberts and the self-titled album by Gunhill Road, as well as on Furay's first solo album after his exit from the group in the mid-'70s. Poco's constant near-misses with success wore the membership down across a decade of hard work, however, and Grantham left the band in 1978. He subsequently played and sang on a string of Ricky Skaggs releases, as well as recording with Richie Furay, Ronnie McDowell, and Steve Wariner. He returned to Poco as a guest musician in the early '80s, and as a full member of the band for the reunion of the 1968 lineup on Legacy (1989), and the tour that followed. He later resumed working alongside Young and Paul Cotton in a revived version of Poco, which included the album Running Horse (2002). On July 29, 2004, however, Grantham suffered a crippling stroke in the middle of a show. He was forced to leave the group and give up performing. He has since made major strides to recovery, and in a statement in 2007, said that he hopes someday to resume performing.

George is far left

Jim Messina

Jim Messina

Jim Messina (born James Melvin Messina, December 5, 1947, Maywood, California) is an American musician, songwriter, singer, recording engineer, and record producer. He was a member of folk rock legend Buffalo Springfield, a founding member of country rock pioneer Poco, and half the popular soft rock duo Loggins and Messina.
Buffalo Springfield

While with Buffalo Springfield Messina served as a recording engineer, producer, and musician, replacing bass player Bruce Palmer on their last album.
Poco

Messina and Richie Furay, another Buffalo Springfield member, formed Poco after Buffalo Springfield broke up. Messina played lead guitar and supplied vocals and some songwriting to the band. After recording two studio albums and one live album, he left Poco.

In 1989, Messina joined in with Poco's original lineup, consisting of Jim Messina, Richie Furay, Rusty Young, George Grantham and Randy Meisner, for a successful reunion tour. The group released the album entitled, "Legacy." Messina played guitar and mandolin on the album and wrote or co-wrote four of the songs. Those songs he wrote and sang on were, "Follow Your Dreams," Look Within," and "Lovin' You Every Minute". The song Messina co-wrote was, "Call it Love" wherein Rusty Young sang the lead vocal on that song.

Website

www.jimmeessina.com

Richie Furay

Richie Furay

Paul Richard "Richie" Furay (born May 9, 1944, Yellow Springs, Ohio) is an American singer, songwriter, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member who is best known for forming the bands Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin, and Poco with Jim Messina, Rusty Young, George Grantham and Randy Meisner.[1] His best known song (originally written during his tenure in Buffalo Springfield, but eventually performed by Poco, as well) was "Kind Woman", which he wrote for his wife, Nancy.

In the late 1960s he formed the country-rock band Poco with Jim Messina and Rusty Young. This band, while influential to many future country-rock acts, experienced uneven commercial success. Furay's best known songs, "Pickin' Up The Pieces" and "Good Feelin' To Know", however, have reached classic status and appear on many country rock compilations. Furay left Poco in 1974 to form the Souther Hillman Furay Band. It was during this time that Al Perkins, the band's pedal steel guitar player, introduced Furay to Christianity. His newfound faith helped him rebuild his troubled marriage.

Although Souther, Hillman, Furay's self-titled first album was certified Gold and yielded the top thirty hit with "Fallin' in Love" in 1974, the group could not follow up on that success, and poor record sales eventually led to its demise.

After moving from Los Angeles to Sugarloaf Mountain near Boulder, Colorado, Furay formed The Richie Furay Band with Jay Truax, John Mehler, and Tom Stipe, releasing the album I've Got a Reason in 1976, which reflected Furay's newfound beliefs. To support the release of this album Furay formed an alliance with David Geffen and Asylum Records. Furay assured Geffen that his album would be Christian influenced but would not be an attempt to preach his newfound beliefs. "I've Got a Reason" did, however, establish Furay as a pioneer in Christian Rock. The title track of his third album, the secular "I Still Have Dreams", became a mild radio hit in 1979.

Overall, his albums charted unsatisfactorily, and, compounded with the strain of touring wearing on him and his family, he hung up his rock and roll shoes in favor of a call to the ministry. In 1983 Furay became senior pastor of the Calvary Chapel in Broomfield, Colorado, a non-sectarian Christian church in the Denver area. He continues to perform as a solo artist, and very occasionally with Poco. He toured as an opening act for America and Linda Ronstadt during the Summer of 2006. The 2006 release of his latest CD The Heartbeat of Love returns Furay to his early country-rock roots with a contemporary flair.

In 2007 he toured with a new formation of the Richie Furay Band. At the Boulder and Bluebird Theatres in Colorado they recorded a double live CD ALIVE. The ALIVE set covers 29 songs of Furay's career. The Richie Furay band continued to tour through 2008 and 2009. Furay appeared with Poco for several shows in early 2009. At the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California in the Spring of 2009, Furay and the current Poco lineup were joined onstage by original members Jimmy Messina and George Grantham and former bass player Timothy B. Schmit reuniting the Poco lineup that achieved the most critical acclaim.

On October 23, 2010, he reunited with surviving Buffalo Springfield bandmates Stephen Stills and Neil Young for a set at the 24th annual Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California.

Richie is currently performing with the Richie Furay Band and regrouped with Buffalo Springfield for a 2011 tour, headlining 2011 Bonnaroo with them. In July 2011, Furay announced on his Facebook page that he would be touring with Buffalo Springfield in early 2012, ending speculation there would be a 2011 fall tour with them.

WEBSITE
http://www.richiefuray.com/

With Buffalo Springfield

Timothy B Schmit

Timothy B Schmit

Timothy Bruce Schmit (born October 30, 1947, in Oakland, California) is an American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as bass guitar player and singer for Poco and the Eagles. Schmit has also worked for decades as a session musician and solo artist. In 1998, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Eagles.

Raised in Sacramento, Schmit began playing in the folk music group Tim, Tom & Ron[1] at age 15. That group evolved into a surf band called the Contenders, then changed its name to the New Breed. As the New Breed they had one big radio hit, the catchy, Animals-inspired "Green Eyed Woman," released 1965. Changing its name once again to Glad, the group recorded the album Feelin' Glad in 1968.

In 1970, Schmit joined Poco, replacing founding member Randy Meisner on bass and vocals.[2] He wrote and was lead singer on the song "Keep On Tryin'," Poco's biggest hit single to that point, peaking at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975. Apart from Poco, Schmit also contributed vocals to Firefall's 1977 hit, "Just Remember I Love You."[3]

Schmit also played bass and sang backing vocals on several Steely Dan albums.

Rusty Young

Rusty Young

Rusty Young (born Norman Russell Young on February 23, 1946, in Long Beach, California) is an American guitarist, vocalist and songwriter best known as one of the frontmen in the seminal country rock band Poco.

A virtuoso on pedal steel guitar, he is celebrated for the ability to get a Hammond B3 organ sound out of the instrument by playing it through a Leslie speaker cabinet.
Rusty was raised in Colorado. He began playing lap steel guitar at age 6, and taught guitar and steel guitar lessons during his high school years. During that time, he also played country music in late night bars. Rusty played in a well known Denver psychedelic rock band "Boenzee Cryque"

he started to play the pedal steel guitar.  This was probably due to the lingering popularity of Hawaiian music after the second World War, but as far as Young's parents were concerned, playing country music was the goal for their son. He started gigging in bars in Colorado when he was only 12, sticking to Sunday afternoon gigs, still playing steel. By 16 or 17, he was keeping a schedule that would have left adult professionals panting. He taught lessons in a guitar studio in the afternoons and then played country music in bars until the wee hours of the morning. Then he would pack up and head to jam sessions, catching a few hours of sleep before it was time to go to high school. In 1966, he was surprised to get a call from a local rock band, the Boenzee Cryque. "Are you sure you want him?" Young's mother apparently asked, "He's in a country band you know." Boenzee Cryque was about the most popular Denver rock band at that point and had done fairly well with several locally produced singles that had been picked up by the psychedelic-obsessed Uni label. He worked with this band for two years, incorporating the pedal steel and utilizing some of his strange effects for the first time. In the meantime, a former student who had become road manager for Buffalo Springfield brought Young in contact with the hit group when the members were looking for a pedal steel track for their song "Kind Woman," and didn't want to hire any of the Los Angeles session men. Young was flown out to L.A. to do the session. After he hit it off particularly well with Messina and Furay, it was only natural that Young would become part of a new band that formed in the aftermath of the Springfield collapse.

Originally, the band was to be called Pogo and even used pictures of a similarly-named cartoon character in early promotion. The author of the Pogo strip, Walt Kelly, promptly sued. One letter was changed and Poco was born. Young wrote more than a dozen of the group's most well-known songs. The band was active until the end of the '80s, but seemed to make less and less use of Young's instrumental talents as the years went on.

Although based out of Nashville, Young avoids the recording session work that is the bread and butter of most pedal steel players in that area, due to the lack of space for experimentation. He can sometimes be heard playing solo at that city's Bluebird Cafe. His main venture since the late '90s has been a trio with John Cowan and Bill Lloyd, called Sky Kings.

Paul Cotton

Paul Cotton

Born in Alabama and raised on the south side of Chicago, the soulful influences of his roots can still be heard in the music of Norman Paul Cotton. He took up the guitar in his early teens and followed this passion through to the place he finds himself today, 'a legend in his own write'. The unmatched talent, artistry and staying power of Paul Cotton is an inspiration to so many of us.

Touring and recording with various bands in the late 50s, and well into the 60's, including; the Capitols, Mus-twangs, Gentrys and Rovin' Kind, he then formed The Illinois Speed Press*, where Paul was discovered while performing, landing a major recording contract for his new band. After two albums for Columbia Records, Paul was asked to join the critically acclaimed, Country Rock band POCO, where he spent the better part of four decades as it's dominant songwriter, lead vocalist and lead guitarist.

Poco was formed from Buffalo Springfield Rock Legends: Jim Messina (Loggins and Messina), and Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield) when Neil Young and Steven Stills departed. --- Additions to the newly formed band included Rusty Young and drummer George Grantham from Colorado (Boenzee Cryque), Timothy B. Schmit(Eagles). and Paul Cotton (Illinois Speed Press) who replaced Messina early in 1970.

Paul Cotton is globally known for his famous hits: 'Heart of The Night' 'Bad Weather' 'Indian Summer' 'Barbados' and numerous others. He has authored countless hits for Poco's best selling albums, and has been awarded a number of Certified GOLD & PLATINUM RECORDS including Asylum record "NO NUKES". Recognized in The Alabama Hall of Fame ,the Humanitarian Award and the countless charitable contributions and unmatched talent are but some of his tributes.

Still waters run deep, and this quiet man always comes to the table filled with the promise of a new and better time, whether writing songs about love and longing or painting pictures with his brilliant story telling. He was environmentally conscious or 'green' before it was fashionable composing 'Blue Water' 1972- Crazy Eyes. Being a prolific writer, Paul seldom relies on other's material, but he brought life back into J J Cale's Magnolia and Cajun Moon, making them 'like his own'. During breaks in past touring schedules, Paul Cotton recorded three solo CDs, and is currently recording a fourth Solo CD with his acclaimed Paul Cotton Band. To his credit, boatloads of accolades continue to pour in for these works: Changing Horses, Firebird and the most recent being When The Coast Is Clear, a top winner- selling out whenever & wherever it is offered.

Having shared the stage and performances with other Legends - Eric Clapton, the Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Willie Nelson, Jefferson Airplane, Beach Boys, Procol Harum, Moody Blues, ZZ Top, America, Loggins and Messina, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, Outlaws, Charlie Daniels, Steppenwolf, Yes, America and many more, Paul Cotton thrills audiences around the world with his unique 'tone' and master of the strings.

Having retired from the big shows he headlined at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Shea Stadium, Central Park, Madison Square Gardens and Fillmore East and West and at an age that most men would opt to retire, Paul has not stopped and continues to perform to everyone's delight.

Choosing to go forward, this truly gifted artist is currently writing songs, recording and bringing his brand of live music to fans around the world. His Band performs on an annual Cruise with private concerts and personal meet and greet gatherings. Paul Cotton Paul plays and tours today with the Paul Cotton Band - rockin' every venue they play. He recently organized the Illinois Speed Press' very successful 'reunion cruise', where he and former partner Kal David rocked the deep blue sea on a Caribbean Cruise . Dubbed "King Cotton" by George Harrison of the Beatles ,this is a truly "don't miss" performance, and fans continue to rave about the caliber of this man's genius talent.

http://www.paulcotton.com

Randy Meisner

Randy Meisner

Randy Herman Meisner (born March 8, 1946 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, U.S.) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of Poco and the Eagles. Throughout his professional musical career Meisner's main role has been as bassist and backing high-harmony vocalist as both a group member and session musician.
Meisner was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, the son of sharecroppers. When he was 17, in May 1963, Randy married his high school sweetheart Jennifer Barton, and the young couple had a son, Dana Scott Meisner in November 1963. Randy and Jennifer were married for 18 years, with the marriage producing two more children (Heather Leigh and Eric Shane Meisner) born in May 1970. His first public playing experience was with a local band named The Dynamics (later The Drivin' Dynamics) in 1961. By 1965 he had moved to California with a band named The Soul Survivors, later to be renamed The Poor (because, as Don Felder later said, "...that is what they became.")

In 1968, after auditioning along side the likes of Duane Allman and Timothy B Schmit, Meisner joined Poco (originally named Pogo) with former Buffalo Springfield members Richie Furay and Jim Messina. Meisner appeared on Poco's first album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, but was asked to leave the band shortly before the record was released. Meisner's exit was a result of his anger from being excluded (at Furay's insistence) from participation in the final mix playback sessions for the record, as only Messina and Furay were to complete the production. His image was removed from the painting on the album's cover,[9] and replaced with the dog seen at the far left. His bass parts and backing vocals were left in the mix, but his lead vocals were removed, and new versions were sung by George Grantham.

In 1969, Meisner joined Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band, and persuaded Nelson and producer John Boylan to hire his former band mates from The Poor, Allen Kemp (guitar) and Pat Shanahan (drums); pedal steel guitarist Tom Brumley completed the group. Meisner appears on both In Concert at the Troubadour, 1969[12] and Rudy The Fifth. Although he did not perform on Nelson's Garden Party, he did co-author one of the album's tracks. Meisner continued to support himself as a session performer, playing bass on James Taylor's Sweet Baby James album, among others. By early 1971, he would become active in Linda Ronstadt's backing band, which featured Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Bernie Leadon had already been playing with Ronstadt for some time.

Eagles songs written or co-written by Randy Meisner

    "Take the Devil" from Eagles
    "Early Bird" (co-written with Bernie Leadon) from Eagles
    "Tryin'" from Eagles
    "Certain Kind of Fool" from Desperado (co-written with Glenn Frey & Don Henley)
    "Saturday Night" from Desperado (co-written with Frey/Henley/Leadon)
    "Is It True" from On the Border
    "Too Many Hands" from One of These Nights (co-written with Don Felder)
    "Take It to the Limit" from One of These Nights (co-written with Frey/Henley)
    "Try and Love Again" from Hotel California

Eagles songs featuring Randy Meisner on lead or co-lead vocal

    "Most of Us Are Sad" from Eagles
    "Take the Devil" from Eagles
    "Tryin'" from Eagles
    "Take It Easy" - co-lead vocal w/Glenn Frey on second verse ("Well, I'm-a standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona...") from Eagles
    "Certain Kind of Fool" from Desperado
    "Saturday Night" - lead vocal in the bridge ("She said tell me, oh tell me...") from Desperado
    "Midnight Flyer" from On the Border
    "On the Border" - lead vocal in the bridge ("Never mind your name...") from On the Border
    "Is It True" from On the Border
    "Too Many Hands" from One of These Nights
    "Take It to the Limit" from One of These Nights
    "Try and Love Again" from Hotel California

Poco songs featuring Randy Meisner on lead or co-lead vocal

    "Make Me a Smile" - high-harmony with Richie Furay from Pickin' Up the Pieces (written by Richie Furay/Jim Messina)
    "Short Changed" - high-harmony with Richie Furay from Pickin' Up the Pieces (written by Richie Furay)
    "Anyway Bye Bye" - original lead before leaving group from Poco (album) (written by Richie Furay)
    "Nothin' To Hide" from Legacy (written by Richard Marx, Bruce Gaitsch)
    "Rough Edges" from Legacy (written by Young, Radney Foster, Bill Lloyd)
    "Nature of Love" from Legacy (written by Jeff Silbar, Van Stephenson)

Website
www.randymeisneronline.com/

Poco Original Lineup

The original Poco lineup (L->R)

George Granthem, Randy Meisner (sitting), Jim Messina, Richie Furay (laying), Rusty Young

Poco- Live 1976

Live 1976

Poco's "Live" was released in March, 1976 to complete a contractual commitment the group had to Epic Records after the group had signed with MCA/ABC. Poco, the quintessential high harmonizing, good timin' quintet who first mined the fields of pure country-rock, was down to a 4-piece band for this live compilation(original co-founder Richie Furay had left the group a year or so earlier)which contains selections from November, 1974 gigs in Milwaukee, St. Louis and at Yale University. While the group had settled into a comfortable groove as a quartet, the record doesn't quite capture the raucous excitement of a bonafide Poco concert---but not for lack of quality material. The songs of "Live", will get you up and buzzing, although none of the Poco tunesmiths included (Timothy B. Schmit, Rusty Young and Paul Cotton) had hit the full stride as songwriters that future years would hold for all three. Cotton's "Ride the Country", "Bad Weather" and "Blue Water", coupled with Schmit's "Restrain" are typically excellent. The instrumental skill of pedal steel guitarist extraordinaire Young is well demonstrated on "Fool's Gold" and "Rocky Mountain Breakdown" while his "High and Dry" gives the record some rocker zip. Schmit also does a superb cover of Furay's "Good Feelin' to Know" to close out the LP, tying together the newer Poco songs with one of the best Poco tunes ever. An added benefit is being able to hear drummer George Grantham singing several impressive high harmony parts, which were much more subdued when the band was a quintet. Nonetheless, Poco "Live" is a group in transition, and at the time the band was upset that Epic chose to release a concert set to complete its obligation, feeling that they had left a myriad of other studio tracks in the can from which Epic could have compiled a quality Poco recording. This was one of the last Poco recordings to be released on CD, (11/00) and contains only 9 tracks (3 of which are in a medley). Still, it is essential to anyone who prefers the upbeat, tight harmony country rock that was Poco's trademark.

Poco 1976 New York City

Poco - 1975-07-30 - Central Park, NY

Poco
1975-07-30
Central Park, Wollman Skating Rink,
New York, NY
Audience recording, good quality
mp3 @ 256 kbps


More Poco from this middle period of their career. The SEVEN / CANTAMOS album tour featuring among others, Tim Schmit's superb harmony anthem 'Keep On Tryin'.





Tracklist:
01. Keep On Tryin'
02. Sagebrush Serenade
03. Blue Water ->
04. Fools Gold
05. Bad Weather
06. Hoedown
07. Ride The Country
08. Makin' Love
09. Georgia Bind My Ties
10. Restrain
11. Railroad Days
12. Siitin' On a Fence
13. High and Dry
14. Good Feelin' To Know
15. A Right Along

Band Members:
Paul Cotton – guitars, vocals
Rusty Young – pedal steel guitar, banjo, Dobro, guitar, mandolin, vocals
Timothy B. Schmit – bass, harmonica, vocals
George Grantham – drums, vocals

LINK HERE
https://hotfile.com/dl/159358834/6b56bd1/Poco_1975-07-30_-_NYC.rar.html

Poco - Rose of Cimarron

Rose of Cimarron

This may be one of the best Poco albums produced after the departure of founder Richie Furay. Rusty Young's songwriting had really come along by this point, and his title track is one of the definitive country-rock songs. Tim Schmit's "Starin' at the Sky" should have been a #1 single and the album showcases his vocal abilities throughout. Paul Cotten's "Too Many Nights Too Long" is another classic. One novelty about this album is the appearance of former Loggins & Messina sideman Al Garth in sax and violin. Garth was a member of Poco for a very short time and his presence gave this album a dimension that is unique among the Poco library.

Rose of Cimarron stands as one of the best works created during the middle period of Poco's career - after the departure of Furay but before the loss of Schmit. This album really showcases the band as the tight unit that they were with unique contributions from each member. If you want to get into Poco, this is a great place to start.