Customer Reviews

Blue & Gray

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

At this point, Richie Furay is long gone, and Timothy B. Schmidt has jumped ship for the more lucrative waters of The Eagles.

As such, it's the "Cowboys & Englishmen" alignment of the band, fronted by Paul Cotton and Rusty Young, with:

Charlie Harrison - bass, vocals
Steve Chapman - drums
Kim Bullard - keyboards, vocals
Clydie King - backing vocals
Denise DeCaro - backing vocals
Venetta Fields - backing vocals
Steve Forman - percussion

The "Civil War" theme is nothing more than a foundation for some of the band's strongest songs, including "Glorybound," "Streets Of Paradise," "Please Wait For Me," and "Here Comes That Girl Again."

It is one of the strongest albums in the band's career. There may be individual songs on other albums that hit a higher mark, but there are few from start to finish that match this one. Five stars, no question. Time for a re-release.

Like the Eagle's Desperado, Poco's Blue and Gray is thematic and tells a consistent story. Desperado was the American West. Blue and Gray evokes the American Civil War. It compares extremely favorably with other country rock efforts and Poco's own more commercially successful albums. As an album this is easily my favorite Poco album. Streets of Paradise, Gloybound and The Land of Glory move me still after many listenings and now many years since the first time in 1981. This is one of those you wish you could expose more. While Legend is why I started buying Poco albums, Blue and Gray is why I still love Poco.

Poco writes about the war between the 'blue and the gray' on this disc and crafts some very good tracks: 1,2,6,7,8. These are the best tracks in my opinion and performances are first-rate. I can't imagine any other band writing an album about this topic in the detail presented here. Each track tells a specific story.
Sound quality is excellent, very clean and detailed. A hard disc to find maybe but well worth owning. Full lyrics/credits. 10 tracks/37.27. This title and 'Legend' fit nicely on a 80 minute cdr.

Blue & Gray is conceptual depiction of the Civil War done to perfection. Having been a Poco fan for more than 25 years I still find it hard to believe that this superb album has never received the attention that it truly deserves. Paul Cotton & Rusty Young were at their best on this album. The tradmark vocal harmonies remain in tact and the guitar work is exceptional. I especially like the way the songs flow from one to another. The transition from "Glorybound" to "Blue & Gray" is my favorite. If you liked Legend and Under the Gun, then Blue & Gray is a must for any Poco fan.

This album needs to be re-released. It is a concept album focusing on the Civil War, long before Ken Burns placed the war in popular media culture. The songs are modern, but have that "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" feel of authenticity. I own this on vinyl, but would really appreciate it on disc, digitally remastered.

Great performance...Civil War imagery...superb production...It all added up to artistic success and commercial stumble. Nevertheless, Blue and Gray stands as one of the finest moments among many in Poco's long and distinguished career.

Paul Cotton and Rusty Young deliver a truly satisfying project. Too bad it didn't click at the time. History should treat it well.

In my opinion, this is the best POCO album. The writing, producing and structure of the album is close to perfect. I bought this when it came out in LP (before CD's) and burned it out. I recently bought the CD on Amazon at a pretty healthy price and have not regretted it.
This is the only POCO album and I have several, that I can play all the way though and not get bored.

I am admittedly alone in this opinion, but I would place this album among the very best albums ever. Period.

As a concept album, it's quite good. As a production, I'd rank it as brilliant. As a showcase for Paul Cotton's singing, there is no better.

The songs are excellent, the playing is top-rate, the vocals are pure heaven.

If Poco's "Legend" album has led you on a search for more, try this one. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

If I'm marooned on a desert island, and can only bring 10 cds with me, Blue and Gray would join Pet Sounds, Abbey Road and...well, we can discuss the others later.

One of the true undiscovered gems.

A Complete Story
By Daniel Winegarden


Like the Eagle's Desperado, Poco's Blue and Gray is thematic and tells a consistent story. Desperado was the American West. Blue and Gray evokes the American Civil War. It compares extremely favorably with other country rock efforts and Poco's own more commercially successful albums. As an album this is easily my favorite Poco album. Streets of Paradise, Gloybound and The Land of Glory move me still after many listenings and now many years since the first time in 1981. This is one of those you wish you could expose more. While Legend is why I started buying Poco albums, Blue and Gray is why I still love Poco.


This a great lost album--Poco writting at its best
By J. R Sategna

This album is one of the best they have ever made--great songs,very emotionally sung and written, about love and loneliness during the Civil War-it also works for the current era-the songs are written beautifully and with romantic feelings-and the singing is perfect-great harmonies-if you are the kind of person that gets emotional with songs-this is the one to get-listen to it with your girlfriend or wife-she is sure to love these songs. Rusty Young, Paul Cotton and Gerorge Gratham are great songwriters and singers. I don't understand why this album is so hard to fine--it should be re-released on CD or released on SACD--Listen to this album-you will not be disappointed if you are a true POCO fan!!!!!

1. Glorybound
2. Blue And Gray
3. Streets Of Paradise
4. The Writing On The Wall
5. Down On The River Again
6. Please Wait For Me
7. Widowmaker
8. Here Comes That Girl Again
9. Sometimes (We Are All We Got)
10. The Land Of Glory

It's all here: theme, great playing and singing. If you have access to (or own it), it's a good album to crank up while on the road. Equally good to fire one up, kick back and relax.

Poco , Pure Prairie League and McGuffey Lane are country rock. Don't confuse them with Southern rock.