finetune artist: Jesse Colin Young

b. Perry Miller, 22 November 1941, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. One of several optimistic performers frequenting the Greenwich Village folk circuit, Young was discovered in 1963 at the renowned Gerde's Folk City club. His debut The Soul Of A City Boy, was recorded in one four-hour session, but despite its rudimentary quality, the collection showcased the singer's haunting tenor voice and compositional skills. A second set was equally enthralling, and featured excellent assistance from John Sebastian (harmonica) and Pete Childs (dobro). Its title, Young Blood, also provided a name for the rock group Jesse subsequently founded. The Youngbloods' career spanned six years and spawned some classic hits, including "Get Together", "Sunlight" and "Darkness, Darkness', but ended in 1972 when the members' interests became too diverse to remain in one ensemble. Young had already resumed his solo career the same year with Together, a selection of new material and traditional songs, but his independence was more fully asserted on 1974"s Song For Juli. The light, intimate style of these early releases was continued on subsequent recordings. Young rekindled memories of his erstwhile companions by re-recording two Youngbloods favourites, "Sugar Babe" and "Josiane" on his 1975 album, Songbird, but maintained a contemporary edge with two solid selections, American Dreams (1978) and The Perfect Stranger (1982). The latter set included "Fight For It", a notable duet with Carly Simon.

Listen to Jesse Colin Young at Finetune.

(2004) Living In Paradise

Sugar Babe