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Pickin' Up the Pieces

Poco

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Album Review

Poco dealt with a lot during the recording of their debut album — the sudden departure of bassist Randy Meisner, the frustration of working with an engineer who didn't quite get what they were trying for, and a lot of pressure to deliver a solid collection of country-rock songs — and came up with this startlingly great record, as accomplished as any of Buffalo Springfield's releases, and also reminiscent of the Beatles and the Byrds. Pickin' Up the Pieces is all the more amazing when one considers that Jim Messina and George Grantham were both covering for the departed Meisner in hastily learned capacities on bass and vocals, respectively. The title track is practically an anthem for the virtues of country-rock, with the kind of sweet harmonizing and tight interplay between the guitars that the Byrds, the Burritos, and others had to work awhile to achieve. The mix of good-time songs ("Consequently So Long," "Calico Lady"), fast-paced instrumentals ("Grand Junction"), and overall rosy feelings makes this a great introduction to the band, as well as a landmark in country-rock only slightly less important (but arguably more enjoyable than) Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

Customer Reviews

Unrecognized Masterpiece

Following the breakup of Buffalo Springfield, Poco was formed to more fully explore the fusion of Rock, Country and Folk genres that began with BF. Jim Messina's brilliant guitar, vocals and production supported by equal brilliance from Richie Furay resulted in a true Country-Rock masterpiece that has largely been ignored and/or overlooked. Poco had the misfortune of being born in the shadow of more commercially recognized (and therefore, marketed) groups...the Byrds, for instance, who were also exploring this genre. Poco has had it's commercial successes but never recaptured the pure joy expressed in Pickin' Up The Pieces. This is a treasure that is a MUST HAVE in any serious collection of Rock, Country and Folk music. Get it, you will NOT be disappointed.

Great opening album

In the history of country-rock, this was the first and best. The guitar playing, especially lead and pedal steel, are incredible. The harmonies are tight and excellent. The music was way ahead of its time, and spawned the Eagles (Randy Meisner, then Timmy Schmitt) as well as driving a host of country artists. Richie Furay, who soon departed to be a minister, may be the most under-rated songwriter of all time. Rusty Young could make crazy sounds from that pedal steel run through a Leslie. And George Grantham was a very under-rated drummer. If you can find a copy of the 3 song medley from Deliverin' (Just in Case It Happens, Yes Indeed-Grand Junction-Consequently, So Long) you will see what I mean. All 3 songs are on this album and are just as good live as in the studio. Really excellent music - when I saw them at Summerfest in Milwaukee in 1970, this was what they played. I wish they could do a reunion with Timmy and George, but that won't happen now that George had some medical problems and has left the band.

the best country rock album of all time

I got to see Poco play this album at my high school right when they had just started out. I was blown away,Rusty Young playing that steel guitar was awsome and what harmonys these guys could sing,no other country rock bad could ever be as good as Poco.

Biography

Formed: 1968 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

One of the first and longest-lasting country-rock groups, Poco had their roots in the dying embers of Buffalo Springfield. After Neil Young and Stephen Stills, the co-founders of that group, exited in the spring of 1968, only guitarist/singer Richie Furay and bassist Jim Messina remained to complete the group's swan song, Last Time Around. The final Springfield track, "Kind Woman," included only Furay and Messina, with a guest appearance on steel guitar by Rusty Young — at the time, he was...
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