Poco started working on their next album, "Cantamos", in August 1974 and it was released that November. It reached #76 on the charts. "Cantamos" was the first album that they produced themselves. Timothy wrote 2 songs on the album, " Bitter Blue" and " What Ever Happened to Your Smile", and also did some of the lead vocals on "All The Ways" and "Sagebrush Serenade". Following is a short industry review of the album:
"One of the first bands to really take "country rock" to the masses continues in this tradition and, even with an almost complete personnel change from the original group, manages to be one of the best. Lots of smooth harmony vocals, some fine picking on both electric and acoustic instruments and material which should reach the FM airwaves in no time at all. Perhaps a bit more on the country side than previous efforts, but with no sacrifice to the rock sound. Still the best band of this kind."
Poco then left Epic in a not so friendly departure and joined ABC records. Their first album for ABC was "Head Over Heels", which was released in the spring of 1975. According to Goldmine magazine, this album "proved to be one of it's strongest collections, featuring especially good material by Timothy Schmit, notable the lead-off track, "Keep On Tryin'" and the closing track, "I'll Be Back Again." Timothy also wrote "Flyin' Solo". This album charted at #48 and also, the single of "Keep on Tryin" got to #50 (#45 in Cash Box). Epic released the double album "The Very Best of Poco" a couple of weeks after "Head Over Heels" was released. Apparently, when Poco left Epic, Epic's president had vowed to do his best to make it difficult for them Poco/ABC to sell records. "The Very Best" charted at #90. Following is an industry magazine review of "Head Over Heels":
"One of the pioneer country rock bands debuts on ABC with a varied set that should please their steady fans who have come to expect top harmony singing and quietly rocking intrumentals as well as attracting new admirers with tunes pulling in Latin rhythms, a more rock approach than is generally expected from the foursome in spots and some almost a capella efforts. A couple of cuts feature unobtrusive but effective orchestration. Vocally, the group is still one of the better in this musical genre, featuring softly effective leads and superb harmonies. Probably the best all around effort in several years, with appeal to rock and some of the progressive country outlets."
Epic released the album "Live" in February of 1976. This was taken from shows recorded in 1974. The album only reached #169 on the charts.It has a great version of "Restrain" on it and also, has Timothy doing the vocals on "Good Feelin' to Know". Following is a short review of "Live":
"One of the first and better of the country rock bands gets a good showing here, with a live album for once offering what people want-a strong sampling of familiar material including the group's best singles. Cut a year and a half ago, band has been doing reasonably well on it's new label and sound has not changed that much. A basically up, happy country-tinged set."
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