Customer Reviews

Other Side

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No, I am not going to compare Chris Hillman with fine wine - though like a fine vintage he does keep getting better and better. Then again, this legendary founding member of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers (with Gram Parsons), of Manassas (as Stephen Stills' "second in command"), and leader of the Desert Rose Band has never recorded an album that has either fallen short of the superlative mark or turn out to be a disappointment in where it counts - quality.

In his first recording for Sovereign Artists, Hillman has gathered some of his best friends and great musicians together in the studio. People like Larry Park on guitar, Sally Van Meter on Dobro, Gabe Witcher on Fiddle, Skip Edwards on Accordion, the great Bill Bryson on bass, and last but definitely not least the also legendary Herb Pedersen on banjo, guitar, harmonies - and production chores. Not to mention Chris on mandolin, guitar, and lead vocals. The result is a wonderful recording of old turned new - and new Americana music that is delightful, thoughtful, spiritual, and real.

Hillman revisits "Eight Miles High" in a unique, captivating version featuring swirling fiddle and guitars,and a vocal blend (courtesy of Hillman and Pedersen) that not only sticks to the original Byrds harmony formula but soars beyond it. Also revisited - and brilliantly done are the versions of "It Doesn't Matter" from Manassas, and two wonderful Desert Rose Band tunes, a very nice, dobro-flavored "True Love" and "Missing You".

Even with all these great new versions of the "old", just wait till you hear the new Hillman-Steve Hill compositions!

"Drifting" is a wonderful, spiritual, and thoughtful song in which the singer-songwriter conveys his dreams and wishes of a better world to come. Then there are the title track which has been a highlight of Hillman's live shows in recent years. "Heavenly Grace" has an instrumental flavor that could grace a Cowboy movie feature but vocally and lyrically reflects Hillman's strong spiritual beliefs. "True He's Gone", an almost forgotten Folk\Bluegrass chestnut from the 1960s is given a new, shiny treatment here.

The sweet "Touch Me" and the beautiful, pensive (another reviewer elsewhere beat me to this word - but I like it!) duet rendition (with Jennifer Warnes) of the old Folk song "The Water is Wide" showcase Hillman's abilities to change from a strong, powerful singer to one who can also softly and capably sing a love song. "Born Again" has that rollicking flavor of a Desert Rose Band outtake, or of Hillman's more recent Rice-Rice-Hillman-Pedersen collaborations.

At a time when his old bandmate David Crosby seems to be content in churning out just another re-packaged (refried??) CSN "Greatest Hits" recording; and while the Eagles release their third or fourth or fifth "remastered, recopied hits" - and embark on their "Farewell Tour Number 189" or something like that, Chris Hillman not only will not be content nor willing to rest on his well-earned, well-deserved laurels, but instead has given Americana, Bluegrass, and Country Rock afficiandos something new and fresh to smile about.

Its time to come on over to "The Other Side"!

I first saw Chris Hillman in concert in Berlin in 1979 whilst I was spying in East Germany as a Member of BRIXMIS the British Military Liaison Mission to the Headquarters of the Group of Soviet Forces in Zossen Wunsdorf in the former DDR. His music kept me going during tedious rail way watches. I then saw him with Herb Pedersen in concert in Glasgow, Scotland in 2003. His latest CD 'The Other Side' shows that he has not lost any of his skills and talents and is as good as anything he has ever recorded.A must for all true Chris Hillman fans before he has to retire!

TRACKLIST:

1. EIGHT MILES HIGH 4:04
2. TRUE LOVE 2:22
3. DRIFTING 3:32
4. THE OTHER SIDE 3:03
5. HEAVEN IS MY HOME 2:22
6. TOUCH ME 3:54
7. THE WHEEL 3:13
8. TRUE HE'S GONE 4:27
9. HEAVENLY GRACE 2:44
10. IT DOESN'T MATTER 3:00
11. MISSING YOU 3:56
12. THE WATER IS WIDE 4:32
13. I KNOW I NEED YOU 3:09
14. OUR SAVIOR'S HAND 4:25

(C) 2005 Soverign Artists
Catalog # SOV 1959
UPC# 616948195922

I saw Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson perform some of these songs recently, and was pleasantly surprised to find this album on Amazon.com (it is not offered by other online music sources). These are wonderful original tunes and covers which should not be missed by any fan of Chris Hillman's music.

Excellant effort by Chris. The mixture of mandolin, fiddle, banjo and guitar is very effective here. I like "Eight Miles High" on this CD better than I do the original version by The Birds. I find this happens alot (the remake of song done better years later by a group or a group member) because the artists has played the song so much that they finally know how to arrange the song to make the most effective (listen to the Eagles versions of their songs NOW vs. the ones they released back in the 1970's, you will see what I mean). Also, the minute I saw Jennifer Warnes name on the cover I knew it had to be good because Jennifer only involves herself with geninue, heartfelt music. Just seeing her name sealed the deal for me in buying this CD. To anyone out there who enjoyed Chris's music, may I suggest you purchase a CD by a group called The Acousticats called "The Cat's Meow". The fiddle and violin playing on this CD are out of this world. A GREAT performance. Buy it, try it (you will thank me).

This is a great album. I liked it so much that I bought additional copies to give away as Christmas presents. If you're a fan of Chris' or of any of the bands he's been a part of over the years, you will be love this CD.

This is a great CD! Chris Hillman, The Byrds shy bass player has emerged as a dynamic singing front man. I bought the this because being a Byrds fan I wanted to hear his rendition of "Eight Miles High". The vocal harmonies are there and I love the way he plays the lead on mandolin. Another highlight is, "It Doesn't Matter" from his Manassas Days. Truth be told, I love every song on this CD. Buy it! If you like Chris Hillman, you won't be disappointed!Other SideOther Side

The product came quickly and was just as I ordered. Thank you.