Search - Poco :: Rose of Cimarron

Wicked good

Elizabeth A. Freniere | Arizona | 07/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"New Englanders know that "wicked good" is the highest compliment that I could pay this record. Where to begin? How about in order:



"Rose of Cimarron"--An epic piece penned by Rusty Young that sounds very spiritual, like the band is praising God. It evokes mental images of wild horses running through the Nevada desert, or a desert monsoon. Some listeners may find the orchestral instruments and climactic, soaring ending to be overdone, but you decide for yourself.



"Stealaway"--Good "typical" Poco country-rock, not the most notable track, but agreeable.



"Just Like Me"--One of two songs that don't measure up to the rest of the album, but it's agreeably easy-listening, straightforward soft rock without any extra embellishment.



"Company's Comin'/Slow Poke"--Another of Rusty Young's great hand-clapping, foot-stomping hoedowns, complete with "yee-haw"s in the vocals. This one features him not only on multiple country instruments but on twangy vocals as well, a real delight. The band is augmented by an additional banjo player, a fiddler, and even a washboard player and they go into all-out bluegrass jamming with the key change that signals the beginning of "Slow Poke".



"Too Many Nights Too Long"--A beautiful song by Paul Cotton! He plays the Spanish guitar and Young plays mandolin, and the other notable instrument is Al Garth's violin. It sounds like a Spanish or Latin-influenced country-rock song, or something, but however you want to describe it, it really works. When Timothy B. Schmit croons in Spanish, the ladies are sure to go ga-ga.



"When You Come Around"--Great straight-up country song that sounds like it should be ruling the charts right now. Pedal steel guitar + fiddle = foolproof combination. And I thought Paul Cotton's background was in rock! (This is another of his compositions.)



"Starin' At the Sky"--This is the only one that makes me want to cringe. I mean, it features a saxophone and electric piano, for goodness' sake. Not one of Schmit's masterpieces.



"All Alone Together"--More Paul Cotton pedal steel-and-fiddle country, so good stuff.



"Tulsa Turnaround"--Fun country-rock dance number by Paul Cotton featuring Young's dobro skill unadulterated.



When I bought this record, I was skeptical about its quality. The Poco of 1976 was a different animal from the original band and I didn't think the record would stack up, but it blatantly exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it, especially if you like country music. Good stuff!"

Nothing special

Open Channel D | Aiea, Oahu, Hawaii | 02/08/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"If this was supposed to be a high quality version of the original release, it falls far short. Love Poco, but there is nothing on this pressing that is remarkable from a sound quality standpoint. Played on a high end system, it sounds like a cassette dub from a Sears combo system from the 80's. Save yer' money and pray it's re-released on an LP.

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