Jesse Colin Young was one of the most original singer songwriters of the early 60s. His first record, The Soul Of A City Boy (Capitol, 1964) is infinitely more modern and creative than Dylan's early work, not to mention all the others. At his side were a young John Sebastian on harmonica, and a rhythm section of jazz men. Lullaby, Little Suzie and Green Hill Mountain Home are songs that transcend folk, blues, country and jazz. The only problem is it would remain his unsurpassed masterpiece.

In 1967 Young allowed himself to be talked into forming, in Boston, the Youngbloods, soon related to San Francisco, a band that although introduced by the industry as a surrogate for the British Invasion, continued the folk-jazz experimentations of Young, in an electric context instead of an acoustic one (Get Together, Grizzly Bear).

The group's best work Elephant Mountain (RCA, 1969), is a bewildering album of psychedelic urban folk. Of particular note are the sinister Darkness Darkness, Sunlight, Ride The Wind.

When the industry's infatuation ended, Jesse Colin Young returned to his chaste conception of music, to a sort of Nashville flavored cavalier indifference. He found his true vocation as solo artist, releasing the interesting Song For July (1973), and a suite of distinction, American Dreams (1978).

Get Together (RCA, 2002) is a Youngbloods anthology.