Funny what linking two names, like say "joni mitchell" + "rusty young"
can unearth on an internet search. Having just heard a track on the radio from the first all new Poco album for 13 years - ['If Your Heart Needs a Hand' from their new "Running Horse" album, which has a real CSNY groove to it] and liking it a lot, I went searching to see if Rusty had ever played pedal steel for Joni (Sneaky Pete was the usual session player, wasn't he?) I came across these consecutive Q&As on the 'Ask Robert Hilburn' LA Times column in June last year http://www.calendarlive.com/cl-ask-hilburn062502,0,2805983.story >>>>>>>>>>> Q: Why is it that Joni Mitchell is often not included in lists of great songwriters and guitarists which typically include the likes of Bob Dylan, Springsteen, Tom Petty, etc.? Women in general seem to be left out, but Mitchell is a unique case (for a man or a woman) in terms of her artistry. --John Kendall, Los Angeles. [Robert Hilburn] "Excellent question John. You certainly will never get an argument from me about ranking Joni among the greatest and most influential singer-songwriters of the modern pop era. As a pure thinker and stylist, in fact, I'd put her on a level with Bob Dylan alone. She brings such sophistication and grace and poetry to her music and words. I've been delighted over the years to hear other artists speak so highly of her. She is a North American treasure. Q: I love the music of the band Poco, which was founded by Richie Furay and Jim Messina back in the late 60's. The band is still playing and are working on a new CD. Yes, members have come and gone, but steel guitarist Rusty Young is still in the group as is George Grantham, Paul Cotton and Jack Sundrud. In your opinion, why have they been left out of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame? The Byrds are in as are The Eagles. Thank you, -- Andrew Rios, West Covina. [RH] I was a big fan of Poco in the '60s and I still enjoy some of those early records, but, in all honesty, I just don't think they are of Hall of Fame caliber. I think the Byrds and the Eagles--to mention the bands you cited--have a more enduring body of work. I'd also rank the Flying Burrito Brothers (thanks to the Gram Parsons connection) as a more valuable musical entry, one that is more deserving of a place in the Hall than Poco. The best thing about Poco wasn't so much the songwriting (which is something I prize in a band), but their musicianship. To me, the Eagles were a mix of the soulful songwriting of the Burrito and the professionalism and musicianship of Poco. Of the two traits, I'd always go with the soulful songwriting. > >>>>>>>> Anyone interested, and with an hour to spare, might enjoy listening to BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris interviewing Rusty Young (about the old days and the new album) - should be able to hear it all this week - until next Thursday at least - at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/country/ and click on the 'Bob Harris' link in the top right hand 'Listen Again' section. PaulC [who never knew he originally wrote 'Rose of Cimmaron' for Roy Rogers/Sons of the Pioneers] PS. there are some short sample MP3s from the new album on their official site @ www.poconut.com PPS Any one know what Sneaky Pete Kleinow's up to these days?
