Ron Elliott

After the Beau Brummels dissolved in 1968, guitarist and composer Ron Elliott became a session whiz for Warner Bros. He also recorded his only solo album. Ditching the Brummels' rural pop-opera, Elliott created The Candlestickmaker, a fog-shrouded collection of California country-folk, featuring hazy picking and Elliott's weary baritone -- think the Dead backing Johnny Cash after a two-day bender. The 14-minute title track is the record's centerpiece, and it bleeds Vietnam downer vibes.