Seven / Cantamos

I bought this compilation CD for two reasons: because I never had Seven on CD, and because I wanted to see if the digital remastering had significantly improved the sound of Cantamos over the previously released version on the Wounded Bird label. As for the remastering, Cantamos is louder and somewhat richer than the earlier version, but the difference is not remarkable.However, this compilation disc should be appealing to Poco fans for other reasons. It is very interesting to listen to Seven and Cantamos back-to-back on one CD. These two Poco albums were recorded by the same band members and released during the same year (1974). They were the last two albums Poco released on the Epic label, and the first two albums recorded after Richey Furay left the band. With all due respect to the fans who still believe Furay was the heart and soul of Poco, in my opinion Poco never made a great album until after Richey left the band. And despite the commercial success of Legend (1978), Poco never made another great album after Timothy B. Schmidt left to join The Eagles. In between the departures of Furay and Schmidt, for a period of four years (1974 - 1977), Poco enjoyed its best line-up of Paul Cotton, Rusty Young, Tim Schmidt, and George Grantham. This quartet had great chemistry together and whipped out five albums in rapid succession that, for me at least, redefined the Poco sound and established Poco as my favorite band. Seven reveals Poco picking up the pieces after Furay's departure, and while it was at least as good as Poco's first 6 albums, it was only an appetizer for what was to come with the next four albums. Two of these albums, Cantamos (1974) and Rose of Cimarron (1976), are country-rock masterpieces, and two of the best albums ever made. Head Over Heels (1975) and Indian Summer (1977) are also very good albums and contain some of Poco's best individual songs. I have no idea what source of inspiration Poco tapped into in the few months that elapsed between Seven and Cantamos, but Poco suddenly gelled, matured, and became a great band, and that quantum leap is captured on this disc. This growth is apparent in many ways, but none more so than in Paul Cotton's singing and writing, which are noticeably stronger on Cantamos than on Seven.In summary, BGO's compilation of Poco Seven & Cantamos is a great disc. If you don't own Cantamos on CD, this is the best version available. Buy it for Cantamos, and consider Seven a bonus.

I've been a Poco fan since I was a tween! The band created a blend of gentle country-rock that became the standard today, and never received the recognition for it, until these last years. These 2 albums, 7 and Contamos, were the first forays without the original leader, Richie Furay, and the band's last 2 studio albums for Epic records. What would they sound like now? Very fine, thank you. Paul Cotton, Rusty Young-the lone Poco member who became one from 1968 until the present, George Grantham and Timothy B. Smith all stepped up to the plate and created a masterpiece for their loyal fans. High harmonies, sweeping melodies and musicianship and learning to craft some excellent songs that still get performed in concert today whenever whatever configuration of the band gets together. Rocky Mountain Breakdown, Sagebrush Serenade will stick with you like an excellent meal! TBS would soon leave to join the Eagles, the 2nd Poco alum to be in that band, and Rusty & Paul would go on to pen the biggest charting singles for the band. George would play with Ricky Skaggs for a time, and Rusty would dazzle us with being a multi-instrumentalist.

Poco is one of my favorites cantamos I'm replacing the record for the cd and I get an extra cd besides.

Interesting thing. Before Cantamos was ever released on CD I got hold of a pristine copy of the LP, and found a very reputable source to convert the LP to CD. The sound of that conversion was quite good. When Cantamous was then released by Wounded Bird in 2003, I purchased it, figuring that it would likely be a bit better. That was not the case. The Wounded Bird version was flat sounding. The LP to CD conversion blew the Wounded Bird release away in all aspects - clarity, highs and bass. If Cantamous made it onto my CD player, it was always the LP Conversion. Just recently, I purchased this Seven/Cantamos BGO version. The BGO sound quality is close to but better than the LP Conversion. When the sound is viewed in Audacity they look quite different. The Wounded Bird is the lowest volume. The LP conversion appears less open, although does not sound that way. The BGO version raises the volume (well within acceptable range), and appears more open.The BGO Cantamous will now get play over the LP conversion.

These BGO Records 2-for Poco collections sound great. Even better, the playback volume between collections are consistent so making personal playlists between discs using Windows Media Player results in an even-volumed playback playlist (btw, WMP correctly identifies each track). This review of sound levels is for 3 collections: Seven/ Cantamos, Head Over Heels/ Rose of Cimarron, & Indian Summer/ Legend.

Two of poco's best

Mid 70's POCO. Nice. Certainly not the best.

Love POCO

Strongly recommended and superb value as a "twofer". Tasteful, informative packaging as well. Cantamos was probably Poco's greatest album, when they really stepped out of the shadow of founder and former leader Richie Furay and the remaining members all hit top form together. Paul Cotton, in particular, has never sounded better, contributing four stunning songs. Tim Schmit shows on Bitter Blue and Whatever Happened to Your Smile why the Eagles picked him and why they should showcase him more than they do. Rusty Young's Sagebrush Serenade ranks with his later Rose of Cimarron as a highlight from a band with its own signature sound, a kind of folk-country-rock with Mexican border desert flavours. Young's steel guitar playing is exquisite and so are the vocal harmonies, in keeping with the name of the album. Seven doesn't quite hit the same heights - it almost feels as if the band are trying too hard to make up for the absence of Furay (who had left after the previous year's Crazy Eyes). It doesn't feel as balanced or as together. But the material is strong and it's a hell of a bonus if, like me, you were looking for Cantamos and found that this was the cheapest way to buy it.Poco are one of the great under-rated rock bands. They were pioneering song-writers, musicians and singers who achieved little commercial success until they were past their artistic peak. Furay could never understand why the Eagles sold and Poco didn't. It is now easy to re-discover them. Try "Head Over Heels/Cimarron" next. And then the first 5 studio releases in the ultra-cheap "Original Classics" re-package. Americana heaven!

Poco 7 was never a particular favourite of mine, but "Cantamos" is probably the best they made. This CD gave me the opportunity to review 7 and enjoy Cantamos again whilst driving my car.The music soars above almost any other. The harmonies and rhythms are superb.It can bring a tear to the eye; tears of pure joy.

Same as for Indian Summer... ok I have to give the 15 Word or more intro ...so try then buy it !!!.

Excellent gap filler to my Poco collection.

Good value for the money. One disc to replace the two vinyl albums that I used to own. Not the pinnacle of country rock, but certainly worth the listen.