by DooDa Dave » Wed Feb 21, 2018 8:03 pm
The first time I saw Poco was in 1970 in Binghamton, NY. They were the tightest and best band I ever heard live. When Jim Messina was replaced by Paul Cotton, I had my doubts, but when I finally saw them again, my doubts were gone. When Richie left, I had my doubts and judging from Tim's very strained voice from covering both his and Richie's vocals and a brief after show encounter at an upstate NY college town on the first tour after Richie departed, left me thinking the band had it's doubts too. But they persisted and Seven, along with the rest of the records and tours done as a foursome, were great. After Tim left,the only time I saw them was at Westbury for the Legacy tour but by then, Richard Marx had replaced Richie and I wondered how they could have left Paul out, but I finally got to see them with Randy Meisner in the band.Then I saw them here in FL in 2013. Any doubts about this lineup were shattered. Admittedly I missed George's high harmonies, but neither Jack nor George L were disappointments. It was a relaxed and mellower Poco and I was able to appreciate Rusty's singing even though I missed the wicked interplay of his gonzo pedal steel (Robert Randolph must have been watching some of that) with Paul's lead guitar.
Then, my favorite member, Paul Cotton, left and I really had my doubts again. Well, seeing them last Friday in Coral Springs was eye-opening! Anyone who has any doubts about this lineup needs to see them. The old tunes were refreshed and reincarnated and the newer material, along with Rusty's solo material was as good as anything this band has done in the last 50 years, Most of all, the band really seems to gel and enjoy playing together and they have a singing drummer again! Michael Webb fits right in and adds his own dimension and flavor to the band. My only regret is not being able to see them in the Northeast with Jim Messina.
Poco is a band that has survived, adapted and evolved through its many changes unlike any other. Now, what ever happened to Rusty's long promised memoir?