Chris Hillman And Herb Pedersen - Bakersfield Bound (1996)

This is essentially a tribute record, a recollection of the signature songs
and sounds of that city's great musical traditions, and it is a fine one.
Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen, working together for the first time since
the dissolution of the Desert Rose Band, sing with a rare passion not only
recalling their old band's finer moments, but the best of Hillman's work
with the Flying Burrito Brothers as well. Pedersen's expert production
breathes new life into the classic interplay of clean guitars and steel
(played with real character by Jay Dee Maness). The record just sounds
alive in ways that most current Nashville product can't. But the real value
of this record is the quality of feeling in the covers: the House of Bryant
has found new champions here with a mournful version of "Brand New
Heartache." Buck Owens has never been better served. In a better world, an
album of this quality would spark a new rebellion in the country music
community, one which could build on on the intelligence and integrity of
the "cosmic American music" Hillman has sought to create throughout his
career.