Starland Vocal Band

This quartet of two men and two women became popular through the huge success of ‘Afternoon Delight,’ with its relaxed tune and refreshing harmonies. It grew from Fat City, the folk-rock duo Bill and Taffy, who added two more members. Milton Okun, then working with John Denver, produced the album, giving its sound the pleasant pop-country feel of Denver's records. Bill had co-written Denver's hit ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ with Denver and Taffy Nivert.

Bill wrote most of this debut's songs. From ‘Boulder to Birmingham,’ written with Emmylou Harris and familiar from her recordings, and the richly flavoured ballad ‘Starland,’ to the light country number ‘Baby, You Look Good to Me Tonight,’ fine compositions abound. ‘California Day’ sounds rather like the Mamas & the Papas, with splendid four-part harmony. Later, their country colouring faded as they developed a more overtly pop style.