By 1984, Poco were effectively reduced to a duo: Paul Cotton and Rusty Young. One thing ‘Inamorata’ isn’t, and that is a bonafide country-rock album. Quite clearly this album was borne of the studio, and the smooth radio-friendly sound veers more toward AOR than most.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Poco
ALBUM: Inamorata
LABEL: Atlantic
SERIAL: 80148-1
YEAR: 1984
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Paul Cotton – vocals, lead guitar * Rusty Young – vocals, guitar, steel guitar
Additional Musicians: Richie Furay, Timothy B Schmit, George Grantham – vocals * George Doering – guitar * Kim Bullard, Richard Gibbs, Randy Kerber – keyboards * Neil Stubenhaus – bass * Stephen Chapman, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Foreman – drums, percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 Days Gone By * 02 This Old Flame * 03 Daylight * 04 Odd Man Out * 05 How Many Moons * 06 When You Love Someone * 07 Brenda X * 08 Standing In The Fire * 09 Save A Corner Of Your Heart * 10 The Storm
WEBLINK: Site Link
Background
Yet another chapter in the book of Poco. One of America’s endearing country-rock outfits, who ran a recording career as far back as 1969, but who were in operation before then.
Poco had traversed a few record labels during their successful era, notably Epic, ABC/Dunhill and MCA. As the band navigated their way into the 70’s, their easy and laid back style generated a few hits for them. Songs such as ‘Rose Of Cimarron’, ‘Crazy Love’ and ‘Heart Of The Night’ all found favour.
However by 1984, Poco were effectively reduced to a duo: Paul Cotton and Rusty Young, with guest contributions from ex-members Furay, Schmit, Grantham and Bullard. They had also jumped ship to Atlantic Records.
The Songs
One thing ‘Inamorata’ isn’t, and that is a bonafide country-rock album. Quite clearly this album was borne of the studio, and the smooth radio-friendly sound veers more toward AOR than most.
For a good indication of this, take a listen to the pairing of ‘How Many Moons’ and ‘When You Love Someone’. ‘Odd Man Out’ could’ve found a home on RPM‘s ‘Phonogenic’ album, sort of hi-tech and struggling to find residence on this album.
The opener ‘Days Gone By’ is quite appealing, though the ballad ‘This Old Flame’ should’ve been dragged down the playlist a few notches I reckon. ‘Daylight’ is another song that isn’t your typical Poco song, and by this stage, long-time fans will be wondering what the heck is going on.
Probably the furthest away from the traditional Poco is a track like ‘Standing In The Fire’, the track populated by what sounds like Factory/machine sound effects. Not as diverse as ZZ Top doing ‘Eliminator’ or ‘Afterburner’ for instance, but different nonetheless. You can chuck a tune like ‘Brenda X’ into the same category, the oriental keyboard lines giving this one an unusual flavour.
Much better is the lite rock of ‘Save A Corner Of Your Heart’ complete with those trademark vocal harmonies. Finishing up the album is the near AOR qualities of ‘The Storm’, a strident track with loads of keyboard and guitar melodies, popping bass lines, though the song doesn’t vary much arrangement wise.
In Summary
The album, with repeated listening will grow on you in time. Admittedly this isn’t country rock per se, in fact this isn’t anything you’d associate with any of Poco’s past efforts. Just quite what the duo were attempting with this record borders on uncertainty. My guess is some sort of commercial success.
Whatever the result their recording efforts were curtailed for at least five years, whereby the band returned in 1989 with an excellent country-rock crossover album called ‘Legacy’. For ‘Inamorata’ at least, Wounded Bird Records did the good reissue deed, re-releasing the album in 2005.
Poco on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
