The Hillmen (album)


The Hillmen is a studio album by The Hillmen, a southern California bluegrass band originally known as The Golden State Boys. The Hillmen consisted of Chris Hillman on mandolin, country singer/songwriter Vern Gosdin on guitar and lead vocals, his brother Rex Gosdin on double bass, and Don Parmley on banjo.

History

The album was recorded by Jim Dickson over the course of three months in 1963 and 1964. Dickson had been granted free use of World Pacific Studios in Los Angeles at night time, and this is where the band recorded "live" onto a three-track recorder using used magnetic tape.
The Hillmen album was originally released in 1969 on the Together label. It was reissued in 1981 and 1996 by Sugar Hill Records.

Track listing

Side 1

  1. "Fair and Tender Ladies" – 3:04
  2. "Winsborough Cotton Mill Blues" – 3:15
  3. "Wheel Hoss" – 2:25
  4. "Fair Thee Well" – 2:58
  5. "Goin' Up" – 2:19
  6. "With These Chains" – unknown

    Side 2

  7. "When the Ship Comes In" – 3:03
  8. "Roll on Muddy River" – 2:27
  9. "Blue Grass Chopper" – 1:26
  10. "Ranger's Command" – 3:00
  11. "Prisoner's Plea" – 2:57

    1981 reissue

Side 1

  1. "Brown Mountain Lights" – 2:10
  2. "Ranger's Command" – 3:00
  3. "Sangaree" – 1:56
  4. "Blue Grass Chopper" – 1:26
  5. "Barbara Allen" – 3:11
  6. "Fair and Tender Ladies" – 3:04
  7. "Goin' Up" – 2:19

    Side 2

  8. "When the Ship Comes In" – 3:03
  9. "Fair Thee Well" – 2:58
  10. "Winsborough Cotton Mill Blues" – 3:15
  11. "Prisoner's Plea" – 2:57
  12. "Back Road Fever" – 1:56
  13. "Roll on Muddy River" – 2:27

    1996 reissue

  14. "Brown Mountain Light" – 2:10
  15. "Ranger's Command" – 3:00
  16. "Sangaree" – 1:56
  17. "Blue Grass Chopper" – 1:26
  18. "Barbara Allen" – 3:11
  19. "Fair and Tender Ladies" – 3:04
  20. "Goin' Up" – 2:19
  21. "Wheel Hoss" – 2:25
  22. "When the Ship Comes In" – 3:03
  23. "Fair Thee Well" – 2:58
  24. "Winsborough Cotton Mill Blues" – 3:15
  25. "Prisoner's Plea" – 2:57
  26. "Back Road Fever" – 1:56
  27. "Copper Kettle" – 3:49
  28. "Roll on Muddy River" – 2:27

    Personnel