DR JRand53, I'm actually more familiar with McKuen as a poet than a musician...and know little of his "rock" years other than I believe that is the period where he blew his voice out, leaving it with that melancholy husky rasp. What I know of his music are the few songs interpersed on his poetry albums and a couple of albums of Glenn Yarborough singing exclusively Rod McKuen material...that are played frequently and with delight, despite a few tracks being quite banal tunes saved only by Yarborough's singing. I also have Damone singing a very nice version of Very Warm. There is apparently a Sinatra album of nothing but McKuen songs that might be worth a look-see.