Brian Hyland - Rockin' Folk (1965)

As post-British Invasion pop zigged, former teen idol Brian Hyland zagged, channeling the influence of traditional American roots music to create the most thoughtful and personal records of his career. Following on the heels of Country Meets Folk, Rockin' Folk reinvents Hyland as a coffeehouse balladeer, and even if the transformation isn't entirely convincing, his affection for the material seems genuine. While the title portends a more contemporary, Dylan-inspired approach, Rockin' Folk is, for the most part, as old-fashioned and by-the-book as Hyland himself. Recorded in New York City with veterans of the Greenwich Village scene, the album concentrates on traditional tunes like "Rock Island Line" and "Walk Right In," employing his earnest vocals to good effect.