Stone Country - Stone Country CD. Only album from Hollywood, CA based psychedelic country-rock outfit led by gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Young. Young had moved to Los Angeles in 1964 and began working with Van Dyke Parks and Stephen Stills while keeping his day job as a mailman. He formed Stone Country in 1967 and soon thereafter the band was signed to RCA Records. After releasing several singles, RCA issued the group's only album, Stone Country, in March 1968, produced by Rick Jarrard, who also produced Jefferson Airplane and Harry Nilsson's "Pandemonium Shadow Show." Their only album is a must have for any one with even the slightest interest in things of psychedelic or country nature. It was clear from the beginning that Young was the group’s most distinctive songwriter and vocalist. 'Magnolias,' a Young original, was one of the LP’s highlights and a unique mixture of Southern soul and swamp rock that only he could deliver‚ a very gritty vocal performance too. 'Woman Don’t You Weep' was more of the same, another good Young roots rocker with a driving beat and an attractive string arrangement. Two raga rock gems, 'Love Psalm' and 'Mantra' have nice fuzz guitar work and could easily fit in on the Byrds classic "Notorious Byrd Brothers" LP. Other tracks hit more of an Association soft-pop sound (‘Lizabeth Peach' and 'Everywhere I Turn,' both very good) while 'Why Baby Why' (a George Jones cover) and 'Life Stands Daring Me' show off the group’s country roots. The latter is a particularly imaginative slice of psychedelic country-rock with its soaring vocals, glittering guitars and wild banjo picking. The group disbanded when, in 1969, Young signed as a solo artist with A&M Records.