CLEAN '67 RAINBOW STONE PONEYS 2 Folk RONSTADT Byrds

$

39

   1967 SUNSET STRIP FOLK~ROCK CLASSIC

                    with "Different Drum"   

            The STONE PONEYS

             EVERGREEN, VOL. 2

\                                                     USA - Rainbow CAPITOL - 2763 

*CLEAN* TOP COPY

Original 1967 first pressing vinyl on the highly collected RAINBOW label...the second Stone Poney's album kicked off the bands career and also effectively putting an end to the band, with the timeless smash single DIFFERENT DRUM, which set forth the solo career of Linda Ronstadt and she left the band only some months after this album was recorded...  

Often thought of as a Sunset Strip counterpart to the early sound of the BYRDS because of their basic acoustically-inclined folk-rock sound, the two-men/one-woman line-up known as the Stone Poneys, only stuck around a short time (their break-up happening more or less in the spring of 1968) and were never hugely successful, though hugely appreciated many years later clearly benefited from the songwriting strengths of the guys, Bobby Kimmel and Ken Edwards, and the vocal strength of their lead singer, a young Arizonan named Linda Ronstadt.

The Stone Poneys released their second studio album only six months after their first, yet it was a far different work. While their self-titled debut had rendered the happening Sunset Strip sound of Byrdsy/Grassroots folk styles, Evergreen, Volume 2 was folk rock that served as a preview of many of Linda Ronstadt’s early solo releases. Also gone, for the most part, were the male/female harmonies. Ronstadt’s voice was featured as her talent and vocal prowess made her the focal point of the group.

The album produced their only hit song. “Different Drum,” written by Monkees member Mike Nesmith, reached number 13 on the American top charts in November of 1967, becoming a signature performance for Ronstadt. It also signaled the beginning of the end for the band as it proved she had evolved beyond the confines of the group process. Dealing with the eternal conflict of lovers as one wants to settle down while the other (in this case, the vocalist) wants freedom, Different Drum remains late sixties pop/rock at its best.

“Back On The Street Again” is another smooth vocal performance by Ronstadt. The Sunshine Company would give the song a similar arrangement and take it into the American top forty.

Also worth mentioning is the two-part title song. “Evergreen Part One” features the group harmonies that dominated their first album. “Evergreen Part Two” is an instrumental—including the sitar work of Kenny Edwards—which is best described as psychedelic and fitting well within the music of the sixties.

There are several other highlights. “December Dream” includes strings, harpsichord and Ronstadt crooning over the top. “Toys In Time” and “Autumn Afternoon” were written by group members Bob Kimmel and Ken Edwards but, again, sung by Ronstadt.

Evergreen Vol. 2 is Linda Ronstadt’s coming-out party with her voice, as a formidable instrument, taking center stage for the first time. The Stone Poneys would quickly disintegrate as she would soon embark on one of the most successful careers in pop music history.

Side 1                                                                          Side One

• "December Dream"
• "Song About the Rain"
• "Autumn Afternoon"  
• "I've Got to Know"
• "Evergreen (Part One)"
• "Evergreen (Part Two)"
• Side 2
• "Different Drum" 
• "Driftin'"
• "One For One"
• "Back On The Street Again"  
• "Toys In Time"
• "New Hard Times"

CONDITION: The Cover: Very stiff with bright original colors, M- front cover; back cover "EX" (excellent) just a 'touch' of light shelf wear starting on back cover, almost nothing...front is NICE...small delete drill at top right otherwise NO split seams, no bends, no writing

The Vinyl: all shiny clean over both sides, M- to "EX" (excellent), TOP COPY plays terrific from start to finish ... the labels are both clean...

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record