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I consider Poco the best country rock band after the Eagles. This album is one of their most well-known and, for many, including myself, the best of their early career, when they were a quintet with Tim Schmit still on bass (later taken by the Eagles) and especially Richie Furay, a former Buffalo Springfield member, as the main composer and vocalist (who later left of his own accord, overcome by hyper-Christianity delusions). We're talking about their fifth album, released in 1972.
Less vocally gifted than the Eagles (the comparison should be made with the Eagles' first four albums, when Bernie Leadon was still the country-rocker leading on guitar... in the latter part of the seventies, from "Hotel California" onward, they transformed into a pop-rock band), since only Tim Schmit achieves excellence in this regard, and to be honest, less interesting lyrically, Poco compensates with the great skill of their lead Rusty Young on all string instruments typical of this musical genre (that is, electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, dobro, lap steel... only the violin is missing), as well as with superior cohesion, humility, and charm. The allure of underdogs, certainly...
The compositions, alternately attributed to Furay, Paul Cotton the other guitarist, and Schmit himself, generally show an uneven progression... there are excellent pieces and filler episodes. In this album, the excellent pieces clearly prevail, and that's why "Good Feelin' To Know" holds a high position in the long and complex discography of the band (nineteen studio albums, from 1969 to the present).
As in every country rock group, each composer is also a lead vocalist for their own songs, making it interesting to focus on and distinguish, within the same album, the different personalities contributing to the final ensemble as they each take their turn in the limelight. In Poco, Furay assumes the most song-like, simple, straightforward, and bright role; Tim Schmit presents himself in a more intense and vibrant manner, his silky and clear voice weaving through the acoustic guitar arrangements in search of intensity and passion; finally, Paul Cotton, the "baritone" of the three frontmen, hails from a cold Northern state (Illinois) and thus has the least to do with country, influenced as he is by rhythm & blues and rock. In any case, a fourth voice joins the harmonies, that of drummer George Grantham, endowed with a not-so-pleasant falsetto but precious in the background for covering the higher harmonies.
Fully successful songs include "Ride The Country" (by Cotton), in which the unusually extended and captivating instrumental middle section Schmit demonstrates that he is not only a melodious voice but also a powerful and effective bassist. His best contribution to the album is "Restrain", a beautiful semi-rock ballad placed towards the end of the work.
The song that titles the album, the most successful and among the best remembered of the band, is the classic sing along number, with a catchy and resonant chorus, performed by the author Furay with all the vehemence and impact of his powerful and high-pitched voice.
The curious thing about these early years of Poco's career is that the future leader of the band, Rusty Young, who from 1975 onward, after the departures of Furay and then Schmit, would assume the role of the main composer and singer still present today, carrying the group's banner through almost forty years with admirable perseverance and dedication, limits himself for now to the role of a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, not composing anything and not even contributing to the vocals! His talent will truly blossom in just a couple more albums, from a mere, refined string picker to a complete and versatile musician.Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 And Settlin' Down (03:42)
(Richie Furay)
Here I am singin' my song to you now
I want you to listen yes
I want you to listen
Makin' my time go by, makin' you smile
I been thinkin' of you yes
I been thinkin' of you
And settlin' down
Back on the road agin here I'm alone again
Hotel ain't home no
Hotel ain't home
Worn out faces don't care what the pace is
I miss my woman yes
I miss my woman
And settlin' down
She's hummin' another sound
I hear the music in my ear
07 A Good Feelin' to Know (03:52)
When I need good lovin' I always come home to you
You free my lifetime of the blues
Yes, I got that old time feelin' burnin' deep inside my soul
And I am yours, baby I'm home
And it's a good feelin' to know
It's such a good feelin' to know
Oh, it's a good feelin' to know
Somebody loves you
Colorado mountains, I can see your distant sky
You're bringin' a tear of joy to my eye
Yes, it's a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin' to know
Oh, it's a good feelin'
Somebody loves you
When I need good lovin' I always come home to you
You free my lifetime of the blues
Yes, I got that old time feelin' burnin' deep inside my soul
And I am yours, baby I'm home
And it's a good feelin'
Oh, such a good feelin'
Yes, it's a good feelin' to know
Somebody loves you, ooh
And it's a good feelin' to know
Good feelin' to know
Oh, it's a good feelin' to know
Such a good feelin'
Yeah, it's a good feelin'
Such a good feelin' to know
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
Oh Lord, it's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
It's such a good feelin'
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