The story of the duo Loggins & Messina it’s quite particular. Jim Messina had been part of Buffalo Springfield and Poco, but in 1970 he had become a producer. Columbia Records had in the meantime signed a six-record contract to a young singer-songwriter, Kenny Loggins, deciding to entrust him to Messina’s production not only for musical reasons, but also because his name would act as a sort of viaticum for the college audiences. In the first album, however, the collaboration was so important that it was decided to name it to the duo, who would then continue like this until 1976. The music was good quality and easy-to-use country rock, with some beautiful ballads by Loggins with youthful lyrics ( very famous House at Pooh Corner which opens this live), and some more lively pieces, and even a bit of psychedelia in the long Vahevala. Great public response but a fairly short life, given that after four years they broke up as friends to pursue solo careers: Messina’s wasn’t much, while Loggins was much more successful (Footlose the eldest). It’s worth remembering them with this double live, which still sounds very fresh.
Curiosity: the duo formula wasn’t widely practiced in rock, but Loggins & Messina were undoubtedly the most successful duo of the early ’70s. They will be deprived of this “title” in 1975 when, after two or three albums ignored by the general public, Daryl Hall & John Oates achieved success.
The column 50 years ago music
