Paul on the tunes...A post by Paul on poconut.com:
BAD WEATHER
I wrote ‘Bad Weather’ for the Illinois Speed Press and the breaking up of
that band. The Poco "live" cd has my favorite version of it on it. Hendrix heard
it at the Whiskey A Go Go when The Speed Press were the house band and said
during a bear hug from him, "don't ever stop writing songs like that one".
MAGNOLIA
I first heard ‘Magnolia’ in Boulder, Colorado when my next door neighbors
brought over Cale's first lp "Naturally". We recorded the song in a very live
situation at the studio in L.A. My "rough" vocal was kept also.
INDIAN SUMMER
I wrote ‘Indian Summer’ while taking a walk around the block on a full moon
night in Encino, CA. and came home and let the song write itself. I was on my
fifth motorcycle by that time with two more to go in the coming years A Honda
helix is my ride these days.
HEART OF THE NIGHT
Heart Of The Night came as I was all alone together as usual, as we found
ourselves in lively, lusty New Orleans in the late 70's. I was wishing to share
the "vibe" with my significant other at the time, but it didn't happen and the
song is about what I was feeling at the time. I wrote it in 20 minutes and
remember Steve Chapman, our drummer then, jumping up at rehearsals for the Legend
lp. and proclaiming "that song is a hit"! Steel guitar on an r&b song! As mom
would say, "whodathunkit?
RIDE THE COUNTRY
‘Ride The Country’ inspired by my very first visits to the central coast of
California and it’s rolling hills and vineyards. The song is a fantasy where I
imagined my wife at the time, riding through those places on horseback.
Beautiful!
December 22, 2002
Click here for special Seasons Greetings from Paul
November 26, 2001
"Hello Everyone! It's been some time since I've had a chance to
respond to all of my friends out there in cyberspace. I finally have
a moment here to reflect on what a great year it's been seeing all of
you at the shows and getting to hang before and after the concerts
with you as well. You've come from all over the world and it's an
incredible feeling to know that there is such an interest in the
music these days. From Australia and England, and all over this great
country, I've met the finest folks in the world! Makes me anxious to
have more new music out there for all to enjoy, and if all sells well
for Firebird, that will be a must-do. In light of all that's
happened (9-11), it becomes such a very precious thing to be
reconnected again with all of you.
Happiest of Holidays -&- Happy Trails! Paul Cotton
P.S. Firebird' is still available through Futuredege, CD Now and
Amazon.Com. 'When The Coast Is Clear' projected release - Summer,
2003"
December 10, 2000
Hi Everyone! It's me again. Sorry it has been so long since I've been
in touch. Want to take this time to wish everyone Very Happy Holidays,
and a great new year ahead in the year 2001! Speaking of New Years,
Poco will be playing at the Universal Ampitheater in Los Angeles for New
Year's Eve, so that should make for a great celebration. Wish all of
you could be there with us - and look forward to seeing those of you who
can be there. Plans for recording the next Poco album are underway and
it should be out in early summer. I'm also planning some solo
performances next year, so will keep you informed as more info becomes
available. Once again, I look forward to seeing you all next year.
Happy Trails to you All,
Ho=Ho-Ho - Santa Pauley
July 10, 2000
Hello out there wherever you are. Been a while since i've been in touch. Just spent a wonderful week in beautiful Nashville with Rusty and George and Jack where we were rehearsing for the summer touring schedule. It's been great fun having those guys back on stage with us again. That ol familiar sound and feel is there and I'm a happy camper to say the least! We hope to see all of you at these upcoming shows during the coming months and thanks again for the very nice comments regarding the Firebird cd. Hopefully we'll be doing a few of those songs from it in the near future. The very best of summer to you all!
Happy trails' Paul Cotton
May 19, 2000
Hello Everyone! Want to take a moment to thank all of you for your very nice and enthusiastic comments about Firebird. It is rewarding to me to know that the music brings you pleasure, and I enjoy reading your stories very much. I hope you'll spread the word about the CD - it will
make all the difference. I look forward to meeting many of you at the upcoming Poco shows. Thanks again - Happy Trails! Paul Cotton
March 26, 2000
Hello Everyone!.I realize that it has been some time since I've checked
in.Just have a minute to bring you up to speed. We're in the final
stages of mixing Firebird. We're very happy with the way it is sounding
and look forward to a mid-April release. Rusty's contributions were
great. I enjoy reading all of your comments at this website; it has been
very encouraging. I look forward to seeing all of you in the coming
months as we begin touring. Thanks and Happy Trails. Paul Cotton
January 16, 2000
Happy New Year to all! Here's the latest on the Firebird project: Most
of the guitars have been added. I will finish those this week. Then
we'll start vocals, keyboards and percussion. I am very pleased with
the results thus far. When the vocals are finished, we'll have Rusty
contribute his part. All and all, it is looking like a March release.
We are still waiting on good weather for the photo shoot as well.
It's difficult to respond to all of the individual questions in this
limited space, so I'll confine my response to questions specifically
related to general questions of the interest to all: There will be a
Poco CD. Can't say when, but we're talking not so much about doing it,
as about the best way possible to get it to the marketplace (i.e.
internet vs. stores, etc.) Changing Horses has not been considered for
re-release at this time, but it is possible sometime in the future.
Yes, I was into Chris Rea's music through much of the 80's. I'm still a
fan.
I liked him best
before The Road to Hell CD.
Lastly, I'd like to thank all of you who have offered professional
support to the Firebird Project (including Ben Eicher, Michael
Edmunds,and John Brindle). I'll give the information to my personal
manager who will follow-up on your suggestions.
I'd like to thank all of you who have taken the time to sign in on the
guestbook and for your continuing interest and support. I'll keep in
touch.
Happy Trails (and Happy Year 2000) to All!
November 8, 1999
Hi Everyone:Just checking in. Have enjoyed reading your comments. In
answer to George Kriger's question: Western Waterloo was a song about
how the Native Americans lost the West. The song was not about any
living person or personal situation. "Trader" referred to a man who
dealt in the transfer of goods back in those days. Will keep you posted
on the Firebird project as things develop.
Happy Trails To All -Paul
October 11, 1999
Hi Fans! Its me again! To Bill Lockery: regarding the J.J. Cale
question: JJ's personal assistant came by the studio to say that JJ
loved the version that we did of Magnolia. To Dennis Sargent: Yes, I
would be happy to do a station ID for your radio station at some point -
maybe early next year. To Richard Hirsh: Yes, you were right, I was
acknowledging the fans with the red rose on my guitar strap! Thanks to
all for your continued interest. Happy Trails! Paul Cotton
October 4, 1999
Just a weekly response to say "Thanks" to all who have signed in to this
wonderful website. Rich, I don't know how you find the time, but I
thank you for every second that you have spent on my career and this
site! In response to Albert Martin from Germany: When I joined Poco in
1970 they had tuned their guitars and bass down 1/2 step to save wear
and tear on their voices night after night and in the studio. It wasn't
until Under The Gun that we went back to standard tuning. Hope this
helps your C# problem with Heart of the Night. Happy Trails to All
September 27, 1999
Hello Everyone!
To those of you who have responded to the Website on the Guestbook or
via the Bulletin Board, I thank you and hopefully I can answer a few
questions at this time. Regarding the When The Coast Is Clear project, I
intend to release a "real" studio version following the Firebird CD,
which hopefully will be released in late Fall of this year. The Coast
version that some of you have is only a demo/bootleg that some anxious
fans have sent around over the last few years. It is not the definitive
version of the project. I hope you are looking forward to the Real
Thing, as I am! I chose to do the Firebird project first because I feel
it would reach the greatest number of fans at this time because of a
certain familiarity of lyrics and sound.
Regarding guitars that I use: I no longer have the White Falcons, but I
still use my Les Pauls and the beautiful Stratocaster I received as a
gift from Rusty back in 1992.
Thanks again for your interest. I'll keep in touch.
. Happy Trails to
All.
September 17, 1999
Well what in the wide world of country rock is happening here? It looks
like I'd better get a CD out real soon, eh? Thanks Rich for my very own
Website and to all of the wonderful fans who are responding to it! I
have some great music coming forth and I hope that you will all be as
delighted to hear it as I am putting it together. It will be called
FIREBIRD. It will consist of at least ten very southwestern and
romantic songs. Please stay tuned with much more to come. Rusty says
that he will sing and play on some of it, too.
Happy Trails to All Of You