Chris Hillman, a founding member of the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, and the Desert Rose Band has released Bidin’ My Time, his first studio album in more than a decade. The album, which was produced by Tom Petty, has been warmly received by critics who praise the “sharp and ruminative collection of new and old tunes by a musician whose influence far outstrips his fame.” (Stephen Deusner, Stereogum)
Randy Lewis of the Los Angeles Times observes, “Bidin’ My Time contains nods to virtually every phase of Hillman’s musical life, with acoustic bluegrass, jangly folk-rock and sweet country-rock that lend a full-circle quality to the project,” while the Associated Press‘ Scott Stroud notes, “Hillman still sounds like a man in his 20s, though he is 72, and the stellar playing behind him gives the album the feel of one last Byrds record.”
Bob Mehr’s profile of Hillman appears in the new issue of Mojo. He writes, “Bidin’ My Time reunites Hillman with Byrds mates Crosby and Roger McGuinn, plus various Heartbreakers. Yet, despite the guest list, it’s mostly a spare, stripped-down affair, a perfect distillation of Hillman’s sharp craft and quiet brilliance.”
No Depression’s Henry Carrigan asserts “Bidin’ My Time shimmers with beauty, resounds with haunting melodies, and sparkles like a diamond, shining light from every musical facet of [Hillman’s] long career,” and Glide Magazine‘s Doug Collette calls it “a virtual tour-de-force.”
Writing in AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine says “It’s a cozy sound, one that feels as intimate as a front porch but is delivered with the precision of seasoned pros,” and concludes that the album feels “like an understated summation of everything Hillman’s accomplished in his long, varied career.”
Hillman is touring in support of his new record with longtime musical partner Herb Pedersen, who acted as the album’s executive producer. The duo is joined by multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson, a Desert Rose Band alum whom they frequently work with and stand up bass player Mark Fain who also plays on the new record.
A message from Chris Hillman: Chris & The Santa Barbara Music Foundation have had this concert in the works for several weeks. In light of the recent devastation of the Thomas Fire in Ventura, which the Hillman’s have called home for many years, Chris will donate all proceeds to victims of the fire via Direct Relief and Help California.
We appreciate your support.
