The Asylum Years

It's easy to forget -- between his work with the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers before, and the Desert Rose Band after -- just how fine Chris Hillman's two mid-1970s country-rock albums for Asylum were. This CD popped up as a potential item for me and I grabbed it up, and am I glad I did! The playing and singing are superb, and while Hillman's second album isn't quite as good as his first, they both make for delightful listening 40 years on, full of good songs and great playing. And it now seems obvious that Hillman was generating superior to solo work to that of his ex-bandmate Roger McGuinn during the 1970s.

I recently purchased some of Chris Hillmans old and some new CDS. What a great history of music he has given us all, from The Byrds , to the Flying Burrito brothers, The Souther, Hillman ,Furay Band and Manassas, Still sounds great and plays like a master One of the Very Best Musicians and singers we have all been blessed with. David W. Carter

Chris Hillman's first two solo efforts after being a secret weapon-type player in the Byrds, the Burritos, Manassas, and the fan embraced, critic rejected singer/songwriter super-group the Souther Hillman Furay Band. These two albums (Slippin' Away and Smooth Sailin') were proof positive that Chris was more than ready to step out front to lead his own band. From Slippin' Away, "Step on Out" foreshadows his later country-rock success with the Desert Rose Band; "Witching Hour" does right by his association with Stephen Stills & Manassas, and "(Take Me in Your) Lifeboat" is a lively harmony-laden bit of bluegrass. Clear Sailin' is a bit more (over?) produced but also has its share of highlights, including a terrific cover of Danny O'Keefe's "Quits," an interesting take on the old Marvin Gaye Motown hit "Ain't That Peculiar," and the lovely title track and album closer, a Chris Hillman-Rick Roberts co-write.

I love this music. As a fan of The Byrds, I enjoy Chris Hillman’s music. This is his first two solo releases on one CD. Twenty songs, Lott of enjoyment. Well worth the small investment. Get back to your roots. You won’t be sorry.

Love these tunes from Chris Hillman. He has an amazing voice and incredible songs. More people should be aware of Chris. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with the Byrds.

A "package" CD, combining the albums "Slippin' Away" and "Clear Sailin'". Since its original release, I have always felt "Slippin' Away" was one of the best and most overlooked albums of the 70's. It is a classic that few folks are even aware of. His Buffalo Springfield and Manassas roots run deep throughout this incredible work; not one bad cut. I would have given this CD 5 stars but unfortunately, "Clear Sailin" doesn't quite measure up to its predecessor. In the liner notes, even Chris admitted it wasn't as good as he was hoping for, but it still offers some very good cuts. Yet, the cost of this CD doesn't even come close to the worth and value of the great work found within "Slippin' Away". Do yourself a favor - treat yourself to one incredible album that you probably didn't even know existed. You'll be so glad you did.

Two good solo LPs from a great artist, who has made significant contributions to music. The breath of his catalog is awsume. Check it out.

For me , it gets no better.great performances from favorite musicians. Good songs. Had both ups. Hard to find cd.

Hillman has always been a little like the Pete Best of the country rock set, missing out on the acclaim that his more his mates in the Byrds garnered, and long overshadowed in his brilliant Burritos output by the contentious homage paid to bandmate Gram Parsons garnered in “creating” the country rock hybrid. Even in Mannassas, his steady playing and bandleader duties were second fiddle to the talents and ego of Stephen Stills. Yet throughout his considerable musical journey, Chris Hillman has been Mr Dependable, writing decent songs, and producing very listenable albums. This “two for one” release, from his stay with the Asylum label, is no exception. Listening to them now, they sound more “of the time”, than dated, and the “Slipping Away” album particularly strong, with great harmonies, strong songwriting, and a crack band, including Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn, and Jim Gordon. The two ex-MG members didn’t plug in for just anyone, which speaks to the respect Hillman commanded among musicians, even if the press never quite got it.

Here are Chris Hillmans two first solo albums, from 1976 and 1977, on one CD. Good music! Not country oriented as the albums such as with The Desert Rose Band. The sound quality is very good too. Recommended!

Bought the two albums on vinyl when they were released.Updated them to CD as they are excellent songs and played by REAL musicians

Se trata de la edición de los dos primeros discos de Chris Hillman en solitario después de haberse disuelto el trío The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band editados en el sello Assylum fundado por David Geffen, quien descubrió a The Eagles. Ya tenía el primero, titulado "Slippin' away editado en 1976; me compré esta edición porque no tenía el segundo, "Clear sailin'" "Slippin' away cuenta con la colaboración en las armonías vocales de Herb Pedersen, con quien fundó en los años ochenta el grupo Desert Rose Band; Rick Roberts, quien entró en la segunda formación de The Flying Burrito Brothers cuando Gram Parsons dejó el grupo y que en ese año 1976 había formado su propio grupo Firefall en Colorado; Timothy B. Schmit cantante y bajista de Poco y Bernie Leadon, antiguo compañero de Hillman fundador de los Burrito y posteriormente miembro de The Eagles. "Clear Sailin' me ha decepcionado un poco porque baja el nivel del anterior y siendo la razón fundamental de la compra del CD; de todas formas es agradable de escuchar.

pour completer ma collection de Chris Hillman que je possède en vinyls