I listened to Poco in September 2023.
Pickin' Up the Pieces (1969): C+
Poco (1970): B-
From the Inside (1971): C
A Good Feelin' to Know (1972): B-
Crazy Eyes (1973): C+
Pickin' Up the Pieces (1969):
Poco is one of the many talented country-rock groups popping up at the tail end of the 60s and they are also certainly one of the least interesting. With decent pedal steel being the only positive on the album, what sticks out is their three part vocal harmonies, which are sickening. Poor Richie Furay, he has no idea what he's doing as a front-man or creative leader. C+
Poco (1970):
Although nobody thinks this is better than their debut, the warmer production and fuller sound give these plastics a more convincing sonic argument that they actually know what they're doing. Their fake country accents and many harmonies continue to annoy but an eighteen minute suite from a group like this should be a whole lot worse. B-
From the Inside (1971):
Messina's leaving has brought Furay even more to the front--an unfortunate development--and the band has gone for a stripped back sound. Simplifying the process is usually a good idea but over-embellishment was never Poco's problem and personality has never been their strength. C
A Good Feelin' to Know (1972):
Last album, they tried to strip it back but here they try an easier route for success: tough rock'n'roll. With Paul Cotton, who joined last album as lead guitarist and actually has some surprising chops, this works out pretty well and Furay doesn't sound half as bad as a rock singer. B-
Crazy Eyes (1973):
The title track is about Gram Parsons, who coincidentally died four days after the release of the album. Although any nod to the country-rock king is appreciated, an ambitious nine minute recordings with horns and grandiose production by Bob Ezrin is the antithesis of all Gram envisioned country-rock to be. Well, what do you expect from a band who knows even less about country music than the Eagles? C+
