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Review
Best of Country Rock
by Robert Kemnitz, Los Angeles Herald-Examiner
Poco practically pioneered the country rock sound; but like a lot of pioneers they have not been as commercially successful as the many groups their influence has spawned; for one, the Eagles, currently the hottest American group around. Although Poco has gone through major personnel changes since its inception in the early seventies, the group’s sound remains basically the same: vibrant harmonies, catch melodies, strong arrangements, etc.
Poco’s concert Friday night at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium provided some of the best that country rock has to offer, but regrettably, there were far too many empty seats. But Poco fans are intensely loyal and their involvement almost made up for those wide open spaces.
The stage was set, complete with cactus, like a Sons of the Pioneers production number out of an old Roy Rogers movie. But theatrics are incidental as far as Poco is concerned and its hard-driving musical spirit makes for one of the most honest sounds around – an honesty that doesn’t come through as strong on their albums.
The Friday show features a hefty helping of songs from “Head over Heels,” Poco’s first album since a label switch from Epic to ABC-Dunhill. Rusty Young, often referred to as the Evel Kneivel of the pedal steel, has moved into songwriting and his songs give a new dimension to a group whose growth has been marked only by very subtle changes. And subtleties, like almost all facets of its music, are an asset as far as Poco is concerned.