This debut album was credited to
Kenny Loggins with
Jim Messina because the project had begun as a solo record by
Loggins being produced by
Messina. By the time it was finished, however,
Messina had written or co-written six of the 11 songs, contributed "first guitar," and shared lead vocals on many tracks.
Messina's "Nobody But You" and "Vahevala," co-written by
Loggins' second cousin,
Dave Loggins, were the singles chart entries, but today everybody remembers the album for
Loggins' "House at Pooh Corner," which had earned
Loggins his record contract, and "Danny's Song," which
Anne Murray took into the Top Ten the following year. The only thing wrong with this record is that it was too perfect -- with their infectious blend of country, folk, rock, and Caribbean music,
L&M started out at the top of their game, and although they were able to match some of the material and performances on later records, the team never got any better than this. ~ William Ruhlmann