Rice Rice Hillman & Pedersen

Amazon.com
The second album by this bluegrass supergroup finds a quietly ingratiating balance between contemporary originals and old favorites, from the Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil" to Flatt & Scruggs's "I'll Be on That Good Road Someday." Hillman and Pedersen, whose combined credits include the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, and the Desert Rose Band, handle most of the vocals. For all the changes they've been through, their clean harmonies still recall the choirboy earnestness of '60s folk music. This is fine for campfire sing-alongs like Delaney & Bonnie's "Never Ending Song of Love," though it dilutes the honky-tonk pathos of a country ballad like Adam Mitchell's "Out Among the Stars." Larry Rice sings lead on the more traditional bluegrass-styled tunes, while brother and guitarist Tony Rice and his band take care of the instrumental backing. There's nothing especially new and flashy going on here; just mature musicians with little left to prove doing what they do best. --Rick Mitchell

Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen,Rice Rice Hillman & Pedersen,Rounder / Pgd,Bluegrass,Contemporary Bluegrass,Country,Country & Western,Pop,Progressive Bluegrass

Average customer rating: Bluegrass For Boomers Pure harmony, classy production, great songs country and blegrass fusion running empty ? Too much steel!

Running Wild Rice, Hillman & Pedersen Rice Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen Out of the Woodwork Way Out West The Other Side Bakersfield Bound ASIN: B00005QK58 Release Date: 2001-10-30

Tracks:

1. San Antone
2. You're Running Wild
3. Things We Said Today
4. 4 + 20
5. Two Of A Kind
6. Passin' Through
7. The Mystery That Won't Go Away
8. Take Me Back Again
9. Maybe She'll Get Lucky
10. Hard Hearted
11. It's A Long Way To The Top Of The World
12. About Love

Amazon.com

Kicking Back might be a more apt title for the low-key collaboration of these fellow trailblazers in country rock and bluegrass. As on their previous two CDs, Tony and Larry Rice, Chris Hillman, and Herb Pedersen bask in classic song craft and sunny vocal harmonies, this time supplementing traditional bluegrass instrumentation on some tracks with steel guitar and drums for a bit of honky-tonk kick. Their repertoire travels from L.A. (Stephen Stills's "4 + 20") to Bakersfield (Buck Owens's "Take Me Back Again") to Tennessee (the Louvin Brothers' "You're Running Wild") to Liverpool (Lennon and McCartney's "Things We Said Today"). This kind of mixed song bag has become commonplace in bluegrass, especially in the wake of Alison Krauss, but these guys have been at this for four decades now, and it shows. Only one track, Larry Rice's unfortunate ballad of JonBenet Ramsey ("The Mystery That Won't Go Away"), falls flat. Otherwise, all is smooth picking and sweet singing from four musicians with nothing to prove. --Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers

Customer Reviews:

Bluegrass For Boomers.......2003-04-15

Don't let the law office name fool you. Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen is a bona fide supergroup whose collective resume reads like a who's who of bluegrass, New Grass and country rock. California natives Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen and transplanted brothers Larry and Tony Rice have been seeding bluegrass and its many permutations with a Left Coast vibe since the early Sixties and paid their dues with the likes of The Byrds, The Dillards, The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Dave Grisman Quartet and J. D. Crowe and the New South, among others. As RRH&P, these not-ready-for-retirement baby boomers make fit and trim, confident, middle-of-the-road bluegrass that goes down easy and respects its roots.

The old dogs have some new tricks to show off, too. Beatle songs done bluegrass style are old hat these days, but RRH&P's cover of Lennon/McCartney's semi-obscure mid-tempo ballad "Things We Said Today" is brave and inspired. Bucking tradition, RRH&P have the audacity to slow the song down, flaunting Larry Rice's achingly wistful vocal and instruments that drip with longing and loss. The gamble works brilliantly. This is one of the best Beatle covers, bluegrass or otherwise, I've ever heard.

The voice of sentimental favorite Herb Pedersen - a sunny, friendly tenor that I like to call the "Hi, lonesome" sound - is unmistakable on "Two of a Kind" and Buck Owen's "Take Me Back Again". He also teams with Chris Hillman to produce lush "brother harmonies" on many cuts. Pedersen's sojourn with The Dillards on their essential albums "Wheatstraw Suite" and "Copperfields" had monumental impact, and it's gratifying to see he's still teaching the angels to sing. (He's no slouch on the banjo, either.)

Not to pick on Larry Rice, an excellent mandolinist with an appealingly old-time country voice, but the album could do without two of his compositions. "About Love" is maudlin, overlong and out of tune with the rest of the record, but "The Mystery That Won't Go Away" is without question the album's nadir. I wish I were kidding, but "Mystery" is a creepy elegy for murdered child Jon-Benet Ramsey, matching an unaccountably sprightly melody with earnest lyrics that are laugh-out-loud funny in their absurdity. When looking for folk heroes to enshrine in song, bluegrass ought never to turn to the tabloids.

Pure harmony, classy production, great songs.......2002-08-29

This is pure harmony close to Everly quality, coupled with great song selection and writing, and sterling production. It's work that deserves much more attention and should not be missed by anyone who likes bluegrass with an updated sound. Chris Hillman's writing and lead singing are particularly excellent.

country and blegrass fusion.......2002-02-20

How unfair have been the previous reviews. All right, it is not the same Rice Rice Hillman and Pederson sound you have been exactly used to with the two previous releases, but man, it is even more exciting!! The opening track is enough to introduce you to the unusual california sound of a bluegrass band. For those who both like mountain music and the west coast sound of the seventies (CSN, Poco, America...) here is a great recording with sunny vocals for the road.

running empty ?.......2002-01-07

have to agree with jim
maybe this team has run out of gas. out of the woodwork is a 5 star CD and the second album down to 4 stars. maybe they better quit while they're ahead. this is laid back country for the most part, more instruments than previously but less stand out touches - even Tony Rice's normally fluid solos have dried up a bit and the material is less than inspired. nothing new here - i'll go back to tim o'brien's brilliant new Two Journeys for inspiration.

Too much steel!.......2002-01-06

Well, for me, their first album was everything I could ever ask for; and the second, well, just an average bunch of songs BY COMPARISON - still wonderful, though. On the plus side, Running Wild does have some interesting tunes; but the additional instrumentation, the steel and electric guitars in particular, is really irritating. Sometimes forget to listen for Tony, it's so overwhelming. Still an amazing four acoustic musicians.

Average customer rating: Wonderful Acoustic Music! Amazing album by brilliant quartet Wonderful music that will appeal to all tastes. Awaiting a second album

Out of the Woodwork Rice Rice Hillman & Pedersen , Larry Rice , Chris Hillman , and Herb Pedersen Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Contemporary Country | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen Running Wild Bakersfield Bound The Other Side Way Out West ASIN: B0000002P9 Release Date: 1997-01-14

Tracks:

1. Hard Times
2. Lord Won't You Help Me
3. Somewhere On The Road Tonight
4. No One Else
5. Streetcorner Stranger
6. So Begins The Task
7. Dimming Of The Day
8. Just Me And You
9. Do Right Woman
10. Change Coming Down
11. Story Of Love
12. Only Passing Through

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Acoustic Music!.......2005-12-06

What a fantastic album! I recently saw Chris Hillman in concert, and enjoyed him so much I decided to seek out his music. I got a couple solo albums, which I love, but this album holds a special place in my heart. Each song is memorable and well done, both instrumentally and vocally. I love the harmonies of the Rices, Hillman and Pedersen. From "Hard Times" to "Only Passing Through", each song is a gem.
I can't recommend this CD enough! If possible, I would give it ten stars!

Amazing album by brilliant quartet.......1999-08-24

This album didn't want to come out of my CD player. I walked round humming the songs for hours after each play. "Hard Times", "Street Corner Strangers" and "Only Passing Through" knock me out - the fluid Tony Rice guitar licks, the fantastic vocal harmonies of Chris, Herb and Larry and the tasteful mandolin, banjo, fiddle, dobro and piano arrangements all make this a CD to treasure. each track is lovingly crafted and there are lots of good ideas and opportunities for each performer to shine out. More please!

Wonderful music that will appeal to all tastes........1999-01-28

The song selection for this CD is wonderful. All four musicians are stars in their own right, but putting them together with some great music creates a work of art! It's "bluegrassy" without the twang of the real old Nashville stuff. Nothing is overdone. Smooth instrumentals, tight harmonies, and solid songs that each tell a story fill the entire CD. I wouldn't try to classify this body of work as bluegrass, folk, western, country, etc. It's just great music played with care by four guys who know their way around a fretboard. My only question is, "When will I see 'Out of the Woodwork II'?"

Awaiting a second album.......1999-01-15

Here's to hoping that Tony and Larry, two of the Rice brothers, along with Chris Hillman, and Herb Pederson had so much fun making their first album together that they do it again. There are some great songs on this album. The vocals are smooth and their instrumental skills are top notch. The listener can tell that these guys are some of the best in the business and have been around the block. Overall, the album is very pleasing and the sound quality is quite excellent. The instrumentation is all acoustic and is very crisp and bright. The upbeat tunes found here, about half the album, bear a resemblance to The Desert Rose Band, and one song "Story of Love" was initially cut by that band. This is one of the 5 best bluegrass CD's that I own of many.

Average customer rating: A Super Album This is what I hear A Great Road Trip Companion SUPERLATIVE FOLK AND COUNTRY ROCK DELIVERED BY SEASONED VETS

Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen Rice Rice Hillman & Pedersen Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Running Wild Out of the Woodwork Way Out West The Other Side Bakersfield Bound ASIN: B00001T3IZ Release Date: 1999-10-05

Tracks:

1. Doesn't Mean That Much Anymore
2. Side Effects Of Love
3. One Of These Days
4. Never Ending Song Of Love
5. Friend Of The Devil
6. Out Among The Stars
7. Moonshine
8. Moment Of Glory
9. The Year Of El Nino
10. Hearts Overflowing
11. I Will
12. The Walkin' Blues
13. I'll Be On That Good Road Someday

Amazon.com

The second album by this bluegrass supergroup finds a quietly ingratiating balance between contemporary originals and old favorites, from the Grateful Dead's "Friend of the Devil" to Flatt & Scruggs's "I'll Be on That Good Road Someday." Hillman and Pedersen, whose combined credits include the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, and the Desert Rose Band, handle most of the vocals. For all the changes they've been through, their clean harmonies still recall the choirboy earnestness of '60s folk music. This is fine for campfire sing-alongs like Delaney & Bonnie's "Never Ending Song of Love," though it dilutes the honky-tonk pathos of a country ballad like Adam Mitchell's "Out Among the Stars." Larry Rice sings lead on the more traditional bluegrass-styled tunes, while brother and guitarist Tony Rice and his band take care of the instrumental backing. There's nothing especially new and flashy going on here; just mature musicians with little left to prove doing what they do best. --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

A Super Album.......2001-11-14

I thought this album was a unique style of Bluegrass. I liked almost every song on the album. The song by Chris Hillman really stand out. For anyone who likes song that have meaningful words, The songs "I Will" and "Moment of Glory" are ones that can make you think. The great harmonies are wonderful. A person would not have to be a bluegrass fan to enjoy this album. I was also a Desert Rose Band fan so I was happy to know that Chris Hillman was still recording. I just sort of stumbled on ths album by checking out the albums that Amazon.com recommended based on ones I had previously purchased. I have listened to this album so much in just the two days I have had it that I could go on and on about every song. I'm just sorry that I didn't find it before now.

Hazel

This is what I hear.......2001-08-24

Let me preface this review by stating that I am a longtime and devoted fan of Bluegrass and Alt.Country in general and of these four artists in particular.I have enjoyed the music that have produced throughout their separate careers and each appear on many of my all-time favorite CDs. This is the first CD from Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen that I have purchased and was excited to discover that they were making music together.After listening to this CD 3 or 4 times, I can say that the musicianship displayed here is stellar from beginning to end - full and richly textured.So,it is more than a pity that such vituosity is quite spoiled by vocals (no matter who is singing the lead part)that are, while competent, lacking any sparkle or shine and seem wholly uninspired. I'm afraid that this offering has already found itself on the seldom played shelf.

A Great Road Trip Companion.......1999-12-09

I purchased this CD the night before an eleven hour road trip based on my love of Tony Rice's past works. The first eight bars of the first song, "Doesn't Mean That Much Anymore", sold me on the entire CD, as Rice plays the intro lead with his very recognizable style of picking. The rest of the tunes on this CD present an eclectic combination of musical genres, from simple country ballads to intricate and pure bluegrass classics. "One of These Days", "Friend of the Devil" and "Hearts Overflowing" are espcially nice. I would highly recommend this album to bluegrass regulars as well as those who are looking for a good "starter" CD.

SUPERLATIVE FOLK AND COUNTRY ROCK DELIVERED BY SEASONED VETS.......1999-10-15

Although Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Larry and Tony Rice would probably wince at the term "bluegrass supergroup" - the fact remains that this informal quartet have delivered a superlative second album that is just as great if not better than their previous "Out of the Woodwork" album. The experience of years together and apart - the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, the Dillards, Manassas, J.D.Crowe and the New South, Souther-Hillman-Furay, Linda Ronstadt, and the Desert Rose Band and of singing at folk and bluegrass conventions and concerts clearly rings true here.

Fans of Chris Hillman surely will not be disappointed here. Hillman delivers two of his finest vocal performances (and he has had quite a few!) on Earl Montgomery's "One of These Days" - a spirited bluegrass acoustic guitar-flavored song once covered by EmmyLou Harris, and currently a staple in Hillman's recent live performances. The second highlight is one of his own (co-written with Steve Hill) entitled "Moment of Glory", which is a catchy tune in its own right. In addition Hillman sings lead on three other numbers - and provides harmonies throughout.

His old partner and Desert Rose Band associate Pedersen also delivers a couple of stellar performances. His poignant vocal retelling the tale of the doomed loser ala "I Fought The Law" on Adam Mitchell's "Out Among The Stars" is very reminiscent of the Eagles "Lyin' Eyes" and "Desperado" or DRB's own "Running" - in the case of the aforementioned Eagles' tunes Pedersen and Hillman once again beat Henley and Frey at their own game. That isn't to say that Pedersen's warm tenor is wrapped around sad songs - he delivers a joyous though unusual rendition of Delaney and Bonnie's "NeverEnding Song of Love" and Mike Brewer's "Hearts Overflowing" - a grand love song.

Larry Rice's vocals may not be as strong as those of Hillman's or Pedersen's, but the singing Rice Brother with a voice out of Hickory Wood also comes through with wry humour and credible vocals on the Dead's "Friend of the Devil" and "Side Effects of Love". Brother Tony, long regarded as one of the finest folk and bluegrass guitarists, shines on the solo on "Out Among The Stars" and on "One of These Days". With Hillman on mandolin, Pedersen on guitar and banjo, brother Larry on guitar and mandolin and Fred Travers on fine dobro - this is modern bluegrass with colourful shades of folk, and country rock blended throughout.

Call me prejudiced, but if you liked "Out of the Woodwork" - and enjoy the music of Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen, then you'll love "Rice, Rice Hillman and Pedersen"!

Average customer rating:

Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen Larry Rice , Tony Rice , Chris Hillman , and Herb Pedersen Manufacturer: Rounder ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music ASIN: B000G1LR5U

Product Description

Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen - Larry Rice, Tony Rice, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen // 1. Doesn't Mean That Much Anymore 2. Side Effects Of Love 3. One Of These Days 4. Never Ending Song Of Love 5. Friend Of The Devil 6. Out Among The Stars 7. Moonshine 8. Moment Of Glory 9. The Year Of El Nino 10. Hearts Overflowing 11. I Will 12. The Walkin' Blues 13. I'll Be On That Good Road Someday

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