It was 40 years ago this month, one of my favorite albums of all time (and one I picked as one of the year's Top 10 in my "As the Disc Spins" column). Poco. Legend. This is the album that caused me to all in love with Poco. It was the first Poco album to feature Rusty Young in a lead role—writing most of the songs and, with Paul Cotton, being a featured lead vocalist. In its own way, the album redefined these country-rock pioneers—a little less overtly country, a little more pop, a little more rock. From the opening notes of "Boomerang" into "Spellbound" (and who wouldn't be spellbound listening to that song!), to—well, all nine tracks stand the test of time. Of course, this is the album that brought Poco the commercial success that so long escaped it. Two top 20 hits in "Crazy Love" (record of the year) and "Heart of the Night," and a gold album that was #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts for 7 weeks. Any, hey—that cover! This band deserved so much more.But, it's musical legacy is enduring. If you've never heard this album before, give it a listen. And, if you have, give it a new spin—you'll quickly remember just how good it is and how good this band was—and is. Meanwhile, I've got those lyrics bouncing around my brain—"This crazy love of mine, Wrapped around my heart, Refusing to unwind." I think Rusty was singing about something else. But, that's how I feel about this album.
It was 40 years ago this month, one of my favorite albums of all time (and one I picked as one of the year's Top 10 in my "As the Disc Spins" column). Poco. Legend. This is the album that caused me to all in love with Poco. It was the first Poco album to feature Rusty Young in a lead role—writing most of the songs and, with Paul Cotton, being a featured lead vocalist. In its own way, the album redefined these country-rock pioneers—a little less overtly country, a little more pop, a little more rock. From the opening notes of "Boomerang" into "Spellbound" (and who wouldn't be spellbound listening to that song!), to—well, all nine tracks stand the test of time. Of course, this is the album that brought Poco the commercial success that so long escaped it. Two top 20 hits in "Crazy Love" (record of the year) and "Heart of the Night," and a gold album that was #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts for 7 weeks. Any, hey—that cover! This band deserved so much more.But, it's musical legacy is enduring. If you've never heard this album before, give it a listen. And, if you have, give it a new spin—you'll quickly remember just how good it is and how good this band was—and is. Meanwhile, I've got those lyrics bouncing around my brain—"This crazy love of mine, Wrapped around my heart, Refusing to unwind." I think Rusty was singing about something else. But, that's how I feel about this album.