Jesse Colin Young
b. Perry Miller, 22 November 1941, Manhattan, New York City, 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 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 but ended in 1972 when the members’ interests became too diverse to remain in one ensemble. Jesse had already resumed his solo career 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. Jesse rekindled memories of his erstwhile companions by re-recording two Youngbloods favourites, Sugar Babe and Josianne on his 1975 album, SONGBIRD, but maintained a contemporary edge with two excellent selections, AMERICAN DREAMS and PERFECT STRANGER. The latter set included Fight For It, a notable duet with Carly Simon. Angered at what he perceived as mismanagement, Young later purchased the album's master tape for re-release on an independent label, and has since avoided recording for major companies.