Review: Poco’s “All Fired Up”

pocoBy Ken Paulson

There’s not a lot of pressure on veteran country-rock band Poco with the release of All Fired Up, their first new album in a decade. They’re not looking for a single or sweating whether the new album will rival Legend or Cantamos.

On their 19th studio album, Poco’s job is to deliver the sound their lifelong fans love and have as much fun as possible doing it. With All Fired Up, the band succeeds admirably on both fronts.

The current generation of Poco consists of founding member Rusty Young, Jack Sundrud, George Lawrence and newest member Michael Webb.

Webb, who also spent some time touring with John Fogerty, is a great addition. He plays guitars, mandolin, piano, bass clavinet, accordion and Hammond B-3, shoring up the classic Poco sound.

The title track opens the album with a hand-clapping statement of purpose: “Me and the boys are gonna make a little noise.” There’s a warmth and energy here, and Young’s familiar vocal is at the fore.

“That’s What Rock and Roll Will Do” is a celebration of lives led on the road and in the studio. It’s great fun and features a guest spot by legendary sax player Bobby Keys. Favorite line (and a succinct explanation of tinnitus): “Ears are still ringing from the night before,  so you turn it up just a little more.”

The most talked-about track will be “Neil Young,” dispelling the rumor that Rusty is Neil’s brother. It parodies Young’s Harvest-era sound, and assures us that “ If Neil Young was my brother, we’d hang out with one another” and Rusty’s mom would be more financially comfortable.

Other highlights include the touching “Regret” and the powerful “Hard Country.

In an era in which many musical careers seem to rise and fall in mere months, it’s reassuring and a bit inspiring to hear Poco in its fifth decade. All Fired Up is both fresh and familiar, and Poco’s rich legacy continues.

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Comments

7 responses to “Review: Poco’s “All Fired Up””

  1. […] Poco’s latest “All Fired Up” is fresh and familiar. sun209.com/?p=5374 […]

  2. Thanks for the great review! While Jack Sundrud and I are not founding members we appreciate the nod. Jack is a thirty + year Poco veteran and I am a ten year sophomore. In a 45 year old band, at what point do I get a gold watch? Also, founding member drummer George Grantham, who was sidelined by a stroke in ’04, was in the game on this record, playing percussion on the title track. Glad you liked the CD.

    -George Lawrence

    1. Sun209 Avatar
      Sun209

      George: Thanks for checking in. I knew Rusty was the only founding member (hence the singular) but it’s pretty impressive when the rest of the band has forty-plus years with the band. Please see the comment below. Can you point him in the right direction to buy your stuff?

  3. russell berry Avatar
    russell berry

    Where do i send my money to get my discs vinyl & cd?

    1. Just got mine at poconut.org for $20.

  4. […] latest “All Fired Up” is fresh and familiar. sun209.com/?p=5374 8 days […]

  5. I am the owner of all of Poco’s albums(cds). I wasn’t sure what this recording would bring to the collection.
    WOW,was I pleasantly surprised. I wish you guys would do a tour of Maritime Canada.
    Oh yea, please don’t wait 10 years to make a new album. This fan is not getting any younger.
    Cheers!!!

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