Poco - Bareback at Big Sky

Poco is one of those great classic rock bands from the seventies that did music which was raw and edgy and southern-flavored back then, and is apparently just called country now, like the Eagles. But it's not really country, it's country-flavored anthem rock. But it's good. It's really good.

The years have changed country music and country rock, merging them in a lot of minds into one genre. Fortunately, Americana embraces both genres and shows there is a terrific road to travel in the melding of the two related genres. Anyone who denies that rock is basically hopped-up country is forgetting that all the early rock-and-rollers were basically country boys who got too hot for Nashville.

Poco is one of those groups who came out of that time in the seventies, along with The Eagles, the First National Band, Pure Prairie League, Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young, Graham Parsons, Lynard Skynard, The Charlie Daniels Band, etc. Some leaned more toward rock, others country, but they all played the same essential style - Southern rock with heavy guitar, serious pedal steel, powerful drums, and honest lyrics. This general style is now filed under the all-encompassing "Americana" label, and as with many other groups, Poco is more rock than country.

With some strong playing of some familiar old songs, this is going to be a great disc for old fans, as well as a terrific introduction for new fans who may not know Poco's music. It may not strictly be country, but it sure is good to listen to.