Search - Poco :: Bareback at Big Sky

Great Sound @ Big Sky

R. D. Fonnesbeck | St. George, UT USA | 09/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Poco's first unplugged CD attempt, after 35+ years as a band in various lineups, is both satisfying and fun to listen to. Recorded live at a small studio in Bozeman, MT, these pioneers of country rock turn back the clock with renditions of some of their best work, including several excellent songs from the more recent Poco releases. Rusty Young, the only original Poco member who has been in the group from its inception in 1968, runs the show @ Big Sky and his vocals, along with those of longtime member Paul Cotton, will bring back many fond memories to Poco enthusiasts, past and present. Young shows why he has continued to be the backbone of Poco through the years, as he has become a solid vocalist after being reknown for his steel guitar/guitar work early in his career. His acoustic versions of "Save a Corner of Your Heart for Me", "What do People Know" and "When a Heart needs a Hand" will intrigue listeners and can be appreciated by even first-time fans who are not familiar with the voluminous Poco catalogue of tunes. Cotton, who brings his throaty baritone to such classics as J. J. Cale's "Cajun Moon" and a couple of other older Poco tunes, "Barbados" and "Under the Gun", while reminding us that some of his newer material, such as "Bareback" and "Every time I hear that Train" warrant attention as well. New drummer George Lawrence, replacing the great George Grantham who is still recovering from a 2004 stroke, keeps a consistent backbeat for the group, and Jack Sundrud, who has spent several years as Poco's bassist after both Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmitt left the group for greener pastures, contributes his smooth voice to a couple of good tunes as well. Poco fans will enjoy the acoustic nature of the music and intimacy of the venue, and will revel in the fact that Young and Cotton can still make music that is so full of ethereal harmonies that it is undeniably the Poco sound---which is to say among the best in the genre. My thought on first listen was that former band leader and co-founder Richie Furay, who still performs with Poco now and then, would be very proud of the band that he, Young and Jim Messina brought out of the ashes of the demise of the Buffalo Springfield. And for a reminder that in 2005 great songs from the 60's remain as timeless as ever, Poco closes this superb CD with a harmony-filled rendition of Neil Young's "On the Way Home", which has graced the Poco setlist since the days of Furay, who sang it for the Springfield way back when. Rusty Young and Cotton trade verses on the song, expertly putting a finishing exclamation point and quaint touch on the concert/recording, deftly showing that Poco's brand of countrified rock is always worth a listen."

Poco "Unplugged", a delightful and satisfying gem

Thomas E. Lee III | Orlando, FL | 09/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While other bands of this era (i.e. The Eagles) seem to be content with going through the motions and resting on their past achievements adnauseam, these guys still work hard for a living and it shows. Performed over two nights in an intimate setting (the living room of The Goodwin Ranch) at the foot of the Bridger Mountains outside of Bozeman, Montana, this is a tasty and mature offering from Poco stalwarts Rusty Young and Paul Cotton. Both Rusty and Paul have aged like a fine wine and their consummate singing and playing is evident throughout these performances. With help from the multitalented Jack Sundrud (bass, guitar, vocals) and George Lawrence (sitting in for the ailing George Grantham) on Drums, these guys pour their heart and soul into every song. The newer songs show that they haven't lost their knack for writing timely melodies and the older tunes like Under The Gun, Barbados, and Midnight Rain are offered up in a way that makes them sound refreshing and new. The J.J. Cale classic "Cajun Moon" is a standout cut with Goodwin Ranch purveyor and host, "Big" Dave Goodwin sitting in on harmonica. I find this laidback gem from Poco very satisfying and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys real music performed by talented musicians."

A Poconut's (nearly) Unbiased Review

J. Thompson | Phoenixville, PA | 01/11/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As an admitted "poconut" who owns most of this venerable band's output on CD, DVD, and vinyl, my aim in this review is to offer an honest assessment of this particular release to music fans who may only have a passing (or perhaps complete) lack of familiarity with the group.



This is actually my first music review, and I felt compelled to choose this particular recording as it is truly unique in the Poco catalogue.



First off, it is the third (and latest) in a string of live recordings recently released by the band, the others being "The Last Roundup" and "Keeping the Legend Alive" CD/DVD combo. As mentioned in nearly every other review, the band is mostly "unplugged" here, which is the primary distinction of this recording. The material on this CD also benefits in no small measure from a tangibly comfortable setting in beautiful Bozeman, Montanna. An additional bonus is that the performance venue (Big Sky High Studio), as the name implies, enabled "one stop shopping" in the final mixdown and production. The result is a wonderfully produced live recording that really showcases the band's traditional strengths of musicianship and vocal harmony.



My first listen took place in a well-known chain bookstore's featured listening station. I stood there for over half an hour with the headphones on, sampling every track. This initial exposure engendered more of a reaction than an assessment: I smiled! The arrangements of each song, both old favorites and newer compositions, are beautifully suited to the pared-down sound. And though the band is playing mostly acoustic, this does not mean less complex music--in fact, "old guard" fans may be a little startled (in a good way) with the treatment familiar songs get here. Everything from the unexpectedly slinky bass line a la Jack Sundrud on "Barbados" to less familiar key signatures and the multi-instrumental contributions of original member Rusty Young are a pure delight.



With the headphones on, I was pleasantly captivated with the interplay of the vocal arrangements along with acoustic, lap/slide and steel guitars; mandolin, dobro, tambourine, bongos (?!), et al. In fact, though the sound is decidedly stripped of amplification, I find this music sounds fantastic played loud, like a Who album!



Replacing founding member George Grantham on drums (who continues to recover from a stroke suffered during a live performance) is George Lawrence. Longtime fans will note the sonic difference--Mr. Lawrence's percussion is lower and "fatter"; that is to say, more rock oriented, and it sounds great. POCO sounds fantastic with either drummer--Grantham's more "countrified" style (and sorely missed vocal harmonies--please get well George!)or the heavier sound of Lawrence.



I've had this disc in my car for weeks now, feeding it back into my CD player again and again. Without being able to identify any tangible reason, for me the music keeps growing on me; so much so that I would easily place it on my perosnal "10 best list" of recent releases. Casual listners riding in the car, not all that familiar with the band, have made comments like "that's cool stuff--who is that?" And I'm happy to report: POCO!



Particular standout tracks for me include the bluesy "Cajoun Moon" (POCO has always made remarkable presentation of J.J. Cale songs, especially the beautiful "Magnolia"); the closer "Bareback" (written by longtime member Paul Cotton, who is in great form) and a fantastic rendition of Neil Young's "On the Way Home" (from his Buffalo Springfield days) as an encore.



In sum, this is a really fine and quietly thrilling recording. I am sure it will please most music fans willing to purchase a CD that will probably see very little support from commercial radio outside of XM and the like, which is too bad. For POCO fans, I would be tempted to give it 5 stars because I think it could be considered an essential purchase for collectors; for popular music at large, 4 stars. It's not Abbey Road, Beggars Banquet or Born to Run, but it sure is great. Enjoy it!



Postcript: I also highly recommend the aforementioned CD/DVD combo, "Keeping the Legend Alive" that features founding member Richie Furay reunited with the band. The performance is fantastic, with Furay having lost nothing of his gorgeous tenor and energy that has distinguished some of the best of the country-rock genre for decades."