New Compilation Combines Chris Hillman's First Two Solo Albums
There aren’t too many people who can claim to have cofounded several seminal bands, let alone one. Chris Hillman, however, has at least four to his credit. He started the legendary Byrds (with Jim/Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark and Michael Clarke) in 1964, the Flying Burrito Brothers (with Gram Parsons) in 1969, Manassas (with Stephen Stills) in 1971 and the Desert Rose Band (with Herb Pedersen) in 1985. And let’s not forget the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band and McGuinn, Clark & Hillman.
However, despite all those years spent in bands, Hillman also has a led a formidable solo career, a career that was highlighted earlier this year with the release of the incredibly well-received Bidin’ My Time, which was produced by Tom Petty.
Hillman’s solo career actually kicked off in the mid-Seventies with a pair of albums released on the Asylum label—1976’s Slippin’ Away and 1977’s Clear Sailin’. On February 9, Omnivore Recordings will issue The Asylum Years, a 20-song collection that combines both albums.
Slippin’ Away, which was produced by Ron and Howard Albert (Derek and the Dominos, Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix), was a star-studded affair featuring members of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Poco, Buffalo Springfield and the Turtles, plus George Terry (Eric Clapton and His Band) and other ace studio musicians. The disc also featured guest appearances by Hillman’s former Flying Burrito Brothers bandmates Al Perkins, Rick Roberts, Byron Berline and Bernie Leadon. Hillman took his place as frontman, and the results were the epitome of the classic Seventies L.A. sound.
He returned the following year with Clear Sailin’, which saw him dial back the flashy supporting cast for a more traditional release, sounding much like the iconic music he had created in his early years with the Byrds and Burritos. For Clear Sailin’, Hillman assembled a core band (including Richard Marx) with production helmed by Jim Mascon (Poco, Firefall).
The Asylum Years features an essay from Scott Schinder, which includes a new interview with Hillman.
“Doing these records was part of my growing process,” Hillman says in the liner notes. “Do we ever master our professions? Not really, you’re always learning something. It was with the Desert Rose Band that I really felt that I’d come to a point where I’d put in enough time for it to pay off musically. These records are all steps on that journey, and the journey’s been pretty wonderful.”
For more information, check out the trailer below and visit omnivorerecordings.com and chrishillman.com.
The Asylum Years Track List:
1. Step On Out
2. Slippin’ Away
3. Falling Again
4. Take It on the Run
5. Blue Morning
6. Witching Hour
7. Down in the Churchyard
8. Love Is the Sweetest Amnesty
9. Midnight Again
10. (Take Me in Your) Lifeboat
11. Nothing Gets Through
12. Fallen Favorite
13. Quits
14. Hot Dusty Roads
15. Heartbreaker
16. Playing the Fool
17. Lucky in Love
18. Rollin’ and Tumblin’
19. Ain’t That Peculiar
20. Clear Sailin’
Source: www.guitarworld.com
