2018 - The Asylum Years fills a gap in that story, making available for the first time on CD and digital formats, two forgotten solo albums Hillman recorded in the late Seventies, Slippin’ Away and Clear Sailin’. Hillman’s solo debut, Slippin’ Away (1976), is the best of the pair, and is augmented by a dizzying array of guest musicians, the Eagles’ Bernie Leadon, session aces Jim Gordon & Lee Sklar, even Stax guitarist Steve Cropper lays down some tasty licks on a few tracks. The harmonies are helped by the addition of Rick Roberts, who would soon go on to form Firefall. The biggest surprise is Hillman’s voice, relaxed and full of confidence. Really, Slippin’ Away is a fantastic, lost California rock album. Hillman followed up a year later with Clear Sailin’ (1977), which benefitted from a steady band throughout the entire record. Yet, the production is more slick and the songs are maybe just a tad down in quality. For Clear Sailin’ Hillman assembled a core band with production helmed by Jim Mascon (Poco, Firefall). A number of songs feature co-writes with Crawdaddy magazine’s founder, Peter Knobler.
20 Songs
- STEP ON OUT
- SLIPPIN' AWAY
- FALLING AGAIN
- TAKE IT ON THE RUN
- BLUE MORNING
- WITCHING HOUR
- DOWN IN THE CHURCHYARD
- LOVE IS THE SWEETEST AMNESTY
- MIDNIGHT AGAIN
- (TAKE ME IN YOUR) LIFEBOAT
- NOTHING GETS THROUGH
- FALLEN FAVORITE
- QUITS
- HOT DUSTY ROADS
- HEARTBREAKER
- PLAYING THE FOOL
- LUCKY IN LOVE
- ROLLIN' AND TUMBLIN'
- AIN'T THAT PECULIAR
- CLEAR SAILIN'
