Customer Reviews

Good Feelin' To Know

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On this 1972 release of eight originals and one cover tune (an arguably superior version of the Buffalo Springfield's "Go and Say Goodye" written by Stephen Stills), Poco put together one of its best albums. Band members Richie Furay, Paul Cotton and Timothy B Schmit each contribute excellent songs. Highlights include Cotton's lovely "Ride the Country" and Schmit's achingly beautiful "I Can See Everything." But it's still Furay who steals the show with the rollicking "And Settlin' Down," the gorgeous "Sweet Lovin'" and what should have been a monster hit, "A Good Feelin' to Know." Why Poco never had the kind of commercial success of the Eagles (whose debut was released just months before A Good Feelin' to Know) is a mystery. Fans of country-rock will want to add this to their collection. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

As an adolescent in '72/'73, this album forced me to re-think my musical preferences. I had been a "Deep Purple - Humble Pie" head (still am to some degree), but all this changed with "AGFTK". For those of you who believe this album was under-promoted/under acclaimed, you are correct. For those of you who believe this album strayed from the typically languid California rock blue-print of the time, again you are right, and therein lies the album's lack of critical mass and ultimately its lack of mass appeal. It confused many of the band's traditional fandom who moved on to the Eagles/Rondstadt. I remain as equally enthralled with this music today as I was back in the Spring of '73 when I first heard it. The vocals are breathtaking, the song writing is inspired and the guitars pick up where the Byrds should have gone. Special mentions - the powerful & exuberant opening track: "And settling down", the wrenching, moody and restrained "Restrain", the Byrd-like "Ride the Country", the impossibly catchy re-make of the Stills classic "Go and say Goodbye" and of course the title track, which you can still hear occasionally as a lost classic on your local classic rock station. This is the one album to which most classic rock stations do not devote sufficient airplay. Hey K-Rock, lose the Born in the USA and start playing some real music. This CD is a strong buy.

A GOOD FEELIN' TO KNOW is Poco's best album ever. Most of the songs are great, and the singing and instrumental work is phenomenal. This album proves that there was more to California country-rock in 1972 than the Eagles. It's a shame that this album didn't sell more copies when it was first released.

When the original members of Poco (Grantham, Young, Messina, Furay, Meisner) reunited for the extremely-less-than-satisfying "Legacy" in 1989 (Richard MARX...are you KIDDING ME?), they promised that they would be the only "Poco" releasing albums in the future. That lasted all of about five minutes...and rightfully so. It doesn't matter that Paul Cotton and Timothy B. Schmidt didn't appear on "Pickin' Up The Pieces." They belonged to the CLASSIC lineup of this band, the one found on "A Good Feelin' To Know" (Grantham, Young, Furay, Cotton, Schmidt). There's not a bad song on this album. Not a bad SECOND. The opener, "And Settlin' Down," sets the tone...perfect harmonies, chunky rhythms, "Poco Themes" ("I miss my woman, yes, I miss my woman") and pristine playing is only the beginning. The tension / release of Paul Cotton's "Ride The Country" is next..."Here she comes a' ridin'...on a morning sunrise..." punctuated with clean, sharp bursts of rhythm guitar...MAGIC. Just MAGIC. Another Cotton track, "Early Times," is probably the best track he's ever written. Back to Furay for the title track and the ONLY statement Poco's ever made, regardless of the lineup or song..."It's a good feelin' to know somebody loves you." That's IT. That's what POCO was...and still IS...all about, and it is beautifully and energetically expressed on every single second of this 40 minute album. THIS album is "Poco's Greatest Hits," the one you should buy first. Buy as many as you want...AFTER you buy THIS one.

Good Feeling to Know sprung on me late as I did not hear about POCO until I was a soph in high school (1975). The 8 track of this, along with other POCOs was never further than arm's reach.

This genre of music was a calm harbor after being surrounded by the turbulent swells of Purple, Sabbath, Amboy Dukes, that adolescent boys were expected to listen while chugging their first beers.

These guys were the unsung heros of the whole, "Southern California Cowboy" movement brought to the commercial forefront by such legacies as the Eagles, Browne, Ronstadt, etc. Poco helped create them all.

Long Live POCO.

Just a quick note to state that this isn't all country rock. Just listen to "And Settlin' Down" and you will see what I mean. Regardless of the labels we put on it, Poco was primarily a country rock band and a very good one. I wore this and "Crazy Eyes" out when they came out. I do feel like others here do. Poco should have had more recognition and there were definitely some songs that should have been early hits for them. Treat yourself to this inexpensive album!

This album is so good, I bought it months ago and am still raving about it. It could be described as more "progressive" and quite different from Poco's previous albums. Here is what I think of each song:

"And Settlin' Down"--fairly straightforward rocker with minimal twang and Richie Furay reaching for the sky with his voice; not one of my favorite tracks but not really bad

"Ride the Country"--Such a great song! It reminds me of "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash because of its distinct movements, but it has a darker, dreamier, country-rock sound to it. Paul Cotton sounds thoroughly goofy with his falsetto and Rusty Young's steel guitar really glimmers beautifully, especially at the end, when it sounds like it was brought to the front of the mix. Really tight song.

"I Can See Everything"--A hazy, late-night sort of gem by Timothy B. Schmit that combines a haunting, far-off steel guitar with some kind of hand drums to make a uniquely countrified R&B song. Blatantly good.

"Go and Say Goodbye"--Poco's rockin' version of the old Buffalo Springfield song written by Stephen Stills. Very country-rock and the vocal harmonies seem especially noticeable. Another wicked good song.

"Keeper of the Fire"--Thankfully Paul Cotton sings this one in a normal voice. It's his song and another country-rocker, and somehow it reminds me of a soundtrack for an old Western movie, like it belongs in a scene in which the Indians are chasing after the cowboys, or something.

"Early Times"--Another Paul Cotton song, this time a decidedly stoned rocker with lethargic falsetto vocals on everyone's part. I suppose it breaks up the album a bit.

"A Good Feelin' to Know"--At last, the title track, and the hit pop song that never was. Goodness knows why, in spite of everyone's high hopes, this one flopped, because it's such a catchy country-rocker. Richie Furay is back on lead vocals, again singing sky-high.

"Restrain"--One of those heavy Timothy B. Schmit rockers I relish. This one's all rock and it stomps heavily along with distorted guitars, an organ-like distorted steel guitar, and Schmit singing hard and loud. Another favorite of mine.

"Sweet Lovin'"--This is the only song I can't gush about, I think it's cheesy. It's mostly vocal and sounds like a church hymn, which I'm not knocking, but somehow I can't take it seriously.

Poco was one of my favorite groups of the late 60s - early 70s. They were a refreshing blend of rock and country, with talented, proven musicians. I bought the remastered CD to replace the vinyl that I wore out decades ago.

I enjoyed each of the four Poco LPs that preceded A Good Feelin' to Know. However, for me, this is the one that perfectly combined country and rock with a hint of R&B. Finally the line-up was settled. The band members sounded very much at ease with each other. This album was a true band effort with writing credits along with the singing duties shared all round. I understand why the great Pickin' up the Pieces didn't attract a larger audience but am at a loss to explain the relative commercial failure of this gem. It is full of really excellent and accessible songs. Standouts include And Settlin' Down, Ride the Country, Early Times and the superb trio of songs that complete side two - A Good Feelin' to Know ( the perfect example of the Country-Rock genre), Restrain (a slow burning guitar driven rocker) and Sweet Lovin' (the kind of lovely ballad we came to expect from Richie Furay). While Pieces was probably too country for a rock audience the same cannot be said of this record. I probably bought between 300 and 400 LPs in 1972. This was one of my favourites of the year. Yet there are but 19 reviews on Amazon and the CD can be had for just $3.95! Plus ca change.

If you bought any of Poco's later efforts and could only find one or two jewels on any given one, then this is the choice for you. Every song is a winner. My two personal favorites are "Good Feelin' to Know" (flawless instrumentals and harmony...the quintessential Poco song) and "I Can See Everything" (the ultimate Timothy B. Schmitt harmony song). This album's a steal! If Poco had maintained this level of quality, they would have forced Epic to promote them better and the staions to play them more. Not 'til the belated "Crazy Love" single did they again approach this level.