For the first time on one CD, Raven presents two original albums from the purveyors of some of the finest Californian folk-rock of the 1960s - THE STONE PONEYS. The Stone Poneys Featuring Linda Ronstadt and Evergreen Vol. 2 (both 1967) helped define a sound and style that remains pure and enticing to this day. As writer Richie Unterberger states in his liner notes, lead singer Linda Ronstadt's clear powerful vocals were the band's focal point and strongest asset. Their debut album is dominated by close harmonies and strong original material by the group's guitarists Bob Kimmell and Ken Edwards - `Sweet Summer Blue and Gold', `All the Beautiful Things' - plus sublime covers of Fred Neil's `Just a Little Bit of Rain' and the traditional `Wild about My Lovin'. The follow up LP contained their biggest hit, the memorable cover of Mike Nesmith's `Different Drum' (Billboard Pop #13) plus other songs in a similar vein like `December Dream', `Autumn Afternoon' and the two-part `Evergreen'. The band broke up recording their third album, leaving Ronstadt to finish it with session-men. Highlights included covers of Nesmith's `Some of Shelly's Blues', Laura Nyro's `Stoney End' and Tim Buckley's `Hobo' - added here as bonus tracks - which gave an indication of the country-rock direction Ronstadt would pursue as part of her enormously successful solo career into the 1970s. With detailed liner notes, period images and superb audio quality. Raven. 2008.