Loggins & Messina
Return to Pooh Corner
Ah yes, the memories come flooding back. You might remember this as "House at Pooh Corner" or "Back to the Days of Christopher Robin." It's actually titled "Return to Pooh Corner," a hit single from the debut album of a duo that wasn't supposed to be a duo at all!
Jim Messina had been a member of Buffalo Springfield (bass player, producer) at the end of that band's run. He and Richie Furay went on to form Poco, and sort of spun out on his own as a staff producer for Columbia Records.
Enter Kenny Loggins, a musical whiz kid with a knack for writing infectious songs and performing them with a evocative straining voice. Messina was assigned to produce Loggins' debut album, and wound up "sitting in," playing guitar, adding vocals, and generally mentoring the young talent. They sort of became a duo; the debut album was titled Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina Sittin' In.
The two hit it off, the album clicked with the public, and the rest is history.
Released in January, 1972 "Return to Pooh Corner" was one of three hit singles on the album. The sound was a fascinating blend of recorder, flute, violin, and Michael Omartian's scintillating keyboards. Interestingly enough, Loggins penned the song as a teenager, and claims today that he was supposed to be studying for a final when he did.
Like the more popular "Danny's Song" from the same album, "Return to Pooh Corner" was a hit across the board, appealling to young and old alike. Loggins reprised it and expanded it on later solo albums, but none capture the magic quite like the original.
"...back to the days of Christopher Robin..."
Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina with a live 1972 version of Return to Pooh Corner
spotlight album
This is the original Loggins & Messina album, with the huge hit "Danny's Song," best known for Anne Murray's version; the lesser-known "Vahevala," and of course, "Return to Pooh Corner." It also features a couple of highly regarded Messina compositions, including "Listen to a Country Song," which was an FM hit, and later a country hit for recording artist Lynn Anderson. Truly a classic album, this one is often credited with spawning the genre of "yacht rock." But it's much, much better than that. The thing to keep in mind when you see these Amazon.com links is that they usually offer clean used or discounted copies as well...fully guaranteed. |
also recommended
If you plan to buy just one Loggins & Messina CD, this ought to be it. Contains the hits mentioned above, as well as classics like "Your Mama Don't Dance" and "A Love Song," which is yet another Loggins tune that marched to number one only after it was re-recorded by Anne Murray. Anyway, this album features all the stuff you really need from the Loggins & Messina catalog. |