Poco - great band; still playing

This, their second album came out in 1970.  Jimmy Messina’s "You Better Think Twice" became one of their signature songs.  A quintessential American country rock band, Poco was formed by Richie Furay and Jim Messina after Buffalo Springfield broke up in 1968. Their unique 3-part harmony helped lead the way and establish that killer west coast country rock sound.   Listen to Poco and then an Eagles song.  With various lineups over the past 40 years, Poco still plays today.  My pals Bill C. and Steve saw them last night at a Chicago bar. With 24 original albums and 26 "Best of" collections, this is the only one I have.  This record (I’m betting on vinyl) is in the Poco exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Before the Eagles and way before Restless Heart - there was Poco. This record was produced by Jimmy Messina and features Richie Furay on guitar, vocals; Rusty Young on guitars and vocals; Timothy B. Schmit on bass and vocals (heard of him?) George Grantham on drums, vocals. Bill C. should post a mini concert review below. The Laurel Canyon book I just finished mention budding album cover designer Gary Burden who did this album. Album photography by fellow Laurel Canyonite Henry Diltz.  Also above is the album's back cover.  I don't usually show back covers, but this one's too good!

Laurel Canyon - a short book review

I just finished reading “Laurel Canyon; The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Legendary Neighborhood," by Michael Walker. Loved it – it’s about the very open (‘60’s – ‘70’s neighborhood of southern California’s nascent folk-rock and rock and roll scene. It’s where Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash lived together while he wrote “Our House.” Fascinating how Mama Cass Elliot schemed to get Nash, Crosby and Stills to sing and play together for the first time at her place in the canyon. Canyonite Frank Zappa lived in the old Tom Mix cabin. Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds. Great photos by Henry Diltz and commentary by album cover designer Gary Burden! Find out how unknown artists (Elton!) got their US starts at near-by venues on the strip like Doug Weston’s Troubadour, the Whiskey a Go-go, and the Kaleidoscope. Plus the GTO’s (not cars), the songs, the bands, the British visitors at the Riot House, and those heady times. A fun and quick read for fellow rockologists!

Peter Frampton - Before He Came Alive

This is the 4th studio album by Peter Frampton. Released in 1975, he successfully toured behind this record starting in 1976. If you are going to have one Frampton record - this one is likely not it. I do love the cover and seeing that sweet Les Paul, but his massive seller Frampton Comes Alive is thee album of his you would want (likely you have/had). This cover is better than his break-through Comes Alive album, which has hits on it from this record like: "Show Me the Way" and "Baby, I Love Your Way." As you can see, the copy I own still has tehe the cellophane plastic wrapping. Peter Frampton was in the band Humble Pie and he played on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass 3-record. I am reading Michael Walker's book called Laurel Canyon, about the LA music scene in the '60's and '70's and will post records shortly from bands and artists connected to Laurel Canyon.