Chris Hillman - Desert Rose

I'm not sure how I ended up so many releases that feature Chris Hillman. I knew of him of course, from that one time he appeared on a 77s album way back in 1987. Everyone always made such a fuss over Roger McGuinn, and David Crosby that was all I really knew about The Byrds ... of course there were other members of the band but they seemed to be a footnote. Right or wrong, perception can be a cruel and unfair thing.

A while ago I found Chris' 1976 release Slippin' Away. It was on Asylum records (which I always associated with prestige back in the day) and the cast of characters on the album was really impressive. The album though? I can't remember it ... at all. It was instantly forgettable, but pleasant as well. It was enough that when I found anything with Chris on it, I bought it. From his collaboration with J.D. Souther and Richie Furay, to an album with former Byrds McGuinn and Gene Clark. I would snap them up.

When I found a pristine, and I mean pristine copy of Desert Rose I bought it. It didn't hurt that it didn't cost much ... still a record is a record. Here in Canada it was on Stony Plain, the little record label from Edmonton, Alberta licensed the album from Sugar Hill. I suspect they figured it was a good bet. 

Desert Rose is a country album. An honest to goodness hillbilly swinging good time. The songs are sweet, and the performances are top shelf. Al Perkins produced the album and played dobro on a couple of songs.

It's a strange thing though, this is good. It's also pretty dang generic, and the songs aren't straying from the predicable chord progressions and expected tropes. A solo here, a pedal steel here, a fiddle there. Part of the problem is actually Chris Hillman. The guy is an amazing singer, he's also blessed and cursed with an every-man's voice. There's nothing that really separates him from any other good singer. There's nothing distinctive that makes things sound like Chris Hillman. I could be wrong, but it's how it feels, and sounds to me.

Again, I have to say, while this was playing it was a truly enjoyable listen. Chris brought in some great players to guest on many of the tracks. Bernie Leadon appears on a few tracks, providing backing vocals, banjo, mandola and guitar. James Burton who is considered one of the finest guitar players ever, appeared a couple of tracks. They bring a lot to the songs, as do the other musicians. They do what they can with the source material. The best back handed way of describing the album is to say it is an full of good songs that are pleasing to listen to.

The trouble of course is the world is full of good musicians, and good songs. Being good is sort of the ante that gets an artist to the table. Releasing an album of good songs is still an accomplishment when so many artists struggled with filler, but I also know that even after spinning this a few times I likely  won't be able to remember any of the songs in a day or two. I'll be left with the memory that this was a good album, but I won't be able to tell you why. I can also say with a degree of certainty that if I stumble upon any of his albums I'll also pick them up.

Life is a funny old thing.