Product DescriptionThis collection spotlights two major performers: one is in the process of finding his own voice; the other already has just done that. Harry Nilsson (1941-1994)and John Stewart (1939-2008), didn't sound anything like each other, but both were, in the broadest sense of the term, singer-songwriters who had an important role to play in the folk-rock movement of the 1960s. Both had a direct connection to the Beatles; it was the endorsement of John Lennon and Paul McCartney that helped boost Nilsson to national attention in 1967 (and he later collaborated at length with Lennon and Ringo Starr), and Stewart's best album, Willard, was produced by Peter Asher, who was, among other things, certainly part of the Fab Four's inner circle. They also both wrote songs that became iconic hits for The Monkees: Nilsson's "Cuddly Toy" and "Daddy's Song" and Stewart's "Daydream Believer." The ten tracks that Nilsson recorded for Capitol's Tower label from 1964 to 1966 show that he listened to and absorbed a wide variety of music: early rock, blues, soul, folk, country, and as would come through more clearly in his later work, he also had a keen appreciation of traditional popular standards. John Stewart recorded three albums for Capitol which linked him to some fairly heavy talent via their producers: Voyle Gilmore attached to Sinatra, Nik Venet the longtime associate of Bobby Darin and Peter Asher who produced Willard. At the time, Asher was betting heavily on a young folksinger and guitarist names James Taylor, and its undoubtedly through Asher that Taylor plays a prominent role on Willard. And he's not the only celebrity present: Doug Kershaw plays country fiddle throughout, Asher also himself supplies background vocals and Carole King plays piano on two songs.