By 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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