University of Virginia Library

Clear Vocals

Richie Furay spearheads the
group's vocals with his clear, strong
voice, and his treatment of many of
the songs imbues with a charming
sort of boyish innocence and
romance. He plays a superbly clean
12-string rhythm guitar, as well as
6-string electric guitar. Rusty
Young is the most versatile instrumentalist
in the group, showing
himself to be equally comfortable
with electric or acoustic guitar,
pedal steel guitar, and dobro. His
counterpoint solos with Jim Messina
on the instrumental "Grand
Junction" show his knowledge and
confidence of the music he plays,
and he soothes and caresses his
instrument headlong through the
song. The drummer, George Grantham,
is functional, talented, subdued,
with a pleasant voice which
artfully rounds out Poco's beautiful
natural harmony, especially in "Nobody's
Fool" and "Calico Lady."
He is a musician, and knows his
place well - who could expect an
acid-rock drummer in such an
environment? Bass parts, supplementary
guitar workings and excellent
vocals are added by Jim
Messina, the other Springfield refugee,
Messina is a tight, well-versed

musician, with a lot of studio
experience and contacts in the
California music world. He is
responsible or the production of
the album, and for securing the
arranging talents of Nick DeCaro,
who wrote in string and horn parts
for "Tomorrow" and "Nobody's
Fool." Messina also obtained Randy
Meisner to provide backup bass
and vocal harmonies. The with
which all the personnel and instruments
switch between acoustic and
electric stylizations, or blend the
two, is amazing and surprising, and
brings forth a comfortable musical
sound.