[3][5] Her recording career began a few years later, in 1966, when she and singer-songwriter Rick Stanley formed the Gentle Soul,[6] a folk band with psychedelic influences and an emphasis on creative and elaborate vocal harmonies.

[3] Following the dissolution of the Gentle Soul, Polland set up home in Mill Valley, in Northern California and enlisted Diane Sward Rapaport for management.

(1973) was recorded in London with producer Gus Dudgeon and featured guest appearances from Joan Armatrading, as well as several members of Elton John's band and his arranger Paul Buckmaster.

The album, produced by Gary Malkin (Graceful Passages), also sported guest spots from Kenny Loggins, Bonnie Raitt, The Byrds' Chris Hillman, as well as Mike Marshall and several other well recorded musicians.

[9] [10] The events at Columbia Records which curtailed Polland's first solo career prompted a change of direction, and – in the mid-seventies – she resumed activities under the name Melba Rounds.

[11] The Melba Rounds Show demonstrated the breadth of Polland's stylistic repertoire and spawned a ten-year stint for her as principal vocalist with The Golden Age jazz band.

Following the release of Heart of The World, Polland's self-published third solo album, she moved to Maui, Hawaii, and threw herself into local culture and music.

Among the most widely recorded of her songs is "Tulsa County", which has been interpreted by The Byrds, Bobby Bare, Anita Carter, Jesse Ed Davis, and Son Volt.