Cimarron 615 and Poco: This Country Rocks!

When Poco formalized the marriage of country music with rock and roll via Pickin' Up The Pieces (Epic, 1969)—after the first convergence of the genres on The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo (Columbia, 1968), the quintet emphasized improvisation in a way that's been lost during the evolution of contemporary country (although it's now the foundation of progressive bluegrass like that of Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth and Billy Strings). The release of a new long-player by latter-day members of the band under the moniker Cimarron 615 coincides with the vinyl and CD re-release of the original fivesome's reunion album. Comparison of the two offers almost as many studies in contrast as links of continuity to the heritage.

Cimarron 615
Brand New Distance
Blue Elan Records
2023

From the very beginning of their forward-thinking LP, Cimarron 615 do justice to the dual sources of their name—Poco's ninth studio album—Rose of Cimarron (ABC Records, 1976)—and the telephone area code of Nashville Tennessee. On "High Lonesome Stranger," the harmony vocals soar, the tradeoffs of distinctive lead voices positively recall their predecessor and the muscular vigor of the musicianship also hearkens to the evolution of a harder rock approach by Poco in the wake of co-founder Richie Furay's departure in 1974. Given the pedigree of this unit's members— guitarist/vocalist Bill Lloyd was half of a well-heeled Music City duo with Radney Foster—it only stands to reason that all forty- three minutes of this record sound clear and clean. Yet, that's nothing to take for granted when the arrangements of songs like "High" and "Try Again" feature layers of dobro and organ plus an enticing mix of acoustic and electric guitars. Add to that sophistication this fivesome's awareness and acceptance of their lineage: the latter-named tune is just one number here that sounds like internal dialogue about their connection to their forebears. Singing and playing with such sonorous fluency, Cimarron 615's integration of original material not only solidifies their versatility but also their self sufficiency, so much so the addition of strings on "Bitter And Sweet" is superfluous. Fortunately, the orchestration subsides and gives way to the unfettered euphoria of "Full Bloom," a potential point of departure for some jamming: that instrumental approach the only apparent shortfall of this otherwise stellar record.

Poco
Legacy
Blue Elan Records
2023

Given that Jim Messina, the co-founder of Poco (with Richie Furay) had such success as producer of his work with Kenny Loggins, it's confounding he did not assume that role or the band's recorded reunion. Or that the veteran band did not more fully assert its own musical values, but rather allowed producer David Cole (Steve Miller Band, Bob Seger) to apply an anonymous gloss to the music instead of adapting to Poco's style. But just as the front cover art draws upon Legend (ABC, 1978), the most commercially successful LP Poco ever released, so does the presence of adult-contemporary artist Richard Marx at the helm of "Nothin' To Hide" represent a similar concession to commerciality. On that track and "The Nature of Love," it only makes sense to trade on the familiarity of the mainstream with bassist/vocalist Randy Meisner's voice: he sang "Take It to the Limit," the Eagles' first million-selling single. But the participation of numerous session players including Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne and bassist extraordinaire Leland Sklar would seem to preclude much interaction by the core five. Fortunately, "Look Within" and "Rough Edges" boasts an organic feel, the latter also featuring vicious slide guitar work courtesy multi- instrumentalist/vocalist Rusty Young, the latter-day shepherd of the country-rock pioneers. Poco's impeccable harmony vocals fortunately remain prominent on Legacy and, in keeping with its self-referential title, echo with a special resonance on Furay's "When It All Began." Would there were more cuts like that and the acoustic-flavored closing "Follow Your Dreams."

Tracks and Personnel

Brand New Distance Tracks: High Lonesome Stranger; Try Again; Cain's Blood; More At A Distance; Bitter And The Sweet; Full Bloom; Find Me When The Night Comes; Pin Drop; City of Angels.

Personnel: Bill Lloyd: guitar, vocals; Tom Hampton: guitars, mandolin, banjo, pedal steel, dobro, vocals; Michael Webb: keyboards, mandolin, vocals; Jack Sundrud: bass, vocals; Rick Lonow: drums, percussion, vocals.

Legacy Tracks: When It All Began; Call It Love; The Nature Of Love; What Do People Know; Nothin' To Hide; Look Within; Rough Edges; Who Else; Lovin' You Every Minute; If It Wasn't For You' Follow Your Dreams

Personnel: Jim Messina: guitars, vocals; Richie Furay: guitars, 12-string guitar, vocals; Rusty Young:; steel guitar, banjo, dobro, guitars, acoustic piano, vocals; Richard Mar; vocals; Brian Mendelsohn: Synclavier programming; Bill Payn: keyboards; C.J. Vanston: keyboards; Frank Marocco: accordion; Bruce Gaitsch; acoustic guitar; Joe Chema: bass; Randy Meisner; bass, vocals; George Grantham; drums, vocals; Leland Sklar; bass; Gary Mallaber; drums; Jeff Porcaro; drums; Paulinho da Costa; percussion.

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