The Hillmen

by Ken Dryden The Hillmen, who started out as the Golden State Boys, were part of the emerging West Coast bluegrass scene during the early '60s, although this release seems to be their only recording together. Featuring Chris Hillman on mandolin, Vern Gosdin on guitar and lead vocals, along with bassist Rex Gosdin and banjo player Don Parmley providing harmony, the Hillmen cover a wide range of material in these studio sessions, covering traditional tunes, standards from bluegrass and folk, as well as original works. Most of the arrangements are brief and to the point, but there's plenty of phenomenal picking for bluegrass fans. The group's exciting miniature "Blue Grass Chopper" is their best instrumental showcase, while it's hard to beat the strong vocals in the traditional favorite "Barbara Allen." The group broke up around the time that Hillman left to join the fledgling rock group the Byrds in 1964. Issued originally on the long since defunct Together label, it was finally reissued on CD (adding a previously unissued track) by Sugar Hill in 1995.