Rev-Ola's recent brace of re-issues have included two Byrds-related projects: the infamous "Nashville West" album featuring Clarence White and Gene Parsons, while Doug Dillard's "Banjo Album" revisited a groundbreaking bluegrass-influenced treasure trove with Gene Clark (among others) also in tow.
"The Hillmen" is also a bluegrass-based effort featuring a would-be Byrd. In this case it's - yes, you guessed it - Chris Hillman, aligned with future Gene Clark collaborators Vern and Rex Gosdin and future Bluegrass Cardinal star, Don Parmley on banjo.
Hillman had been taught mandolin by Scott Hambley of The Kentucky Colonels (also featuring Clarence White - keep up at the back!) circa 1961 and here you find him sparring with Parmley, while the Gosdins keep time on acoustic guitar and upright bass and deal with most of the harmonies.
Initially recorded in late '63/ early '64 at LA's World Pacific Studios before The Byrds were even a glint in Hillman's eye, "The Hillmen" was cut by the fledgling folk quartet as a demo for Elektra. Despite the attentions of producer Jim Dickson, the label turned them down and it was only after Hillman's star rose rapidly in The Byrds that thses songs finally saw release in 1969, on Gary Usher and Curt Boettcher's Together label.
In truth, "The Hillmen" is more of a curio than the seismic stuff contained on either "The Legendary Nashville West" or Dillard's "Banjo Album". The quartet tackle mostly trad.arr songs, with nods to key hillbilly player Bill Monroe, though songs from the Pete Seeger and - inevitably - Bob Dylan songbooks also seep in.
|
"Sangaree" features some lovely harmonies from The Gosdin Brothers, while both "Wheel Hoss" and "Blue Grass Chopper" admirably display Hillman's mandolin prowess. It's hard to reconcile him here with the quiet bass-playing genius who would slowly emerge to prominence with the Byrds and Burritos. Not too surprisingly, the best tracks are the takes of Woody Guthrie's "Ranger's Command" and Dylan's "When he Ship Comes In"; both of which are skeletal pointers to The Byrds' "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo."
Unbelievably, within twelve months of these recordings, Hillman would be on the cusp of the forefront of the US folk-rock explosion with the Byrds. Consequently, while "The Hillmen" is a competently played footnote, it's real influence is minimal.
|
