Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen

With radiant accounts from The Brabant Ensemble of the Mass, a Magnificat and a selection of motets, this album of first recordings is a major addition to Guerrero’s still select discography.

The Missa Faulte d’argent emerges as a major work in this, its first complete recording. With the inclusion of a selection of motets (also in first recordings), the present programme marks an important addition to our understanding and appreciation of this prolific figure.

Chris Hillman, whose credits include co-founding Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Byrds, as well as the Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas and Desert Rose Band, is truly one of the architects of American music. His newest solo work, Bidin' My Time, produced by Tom Petty and executive-produced by Herb Pedersen, captures a rarity: an icon who has never sounded better, making music with old friends for the sheer love of it. Collaborators and admirers from Hillman's storied career appear throughout the record: Tom Petty; Hillman's Byrds bandmates David Crosby and Roger McGuinn; the Heartbreakers' Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, and Steve Ferrone; Desert Rose Band's John Jorgenson, Pedersen, and Jay Dee Maness; premier upright bassist Mark Fain; singer/guitarist Josh Jové; and fiddler Gabe Witcher.

[…] This live CD documents a pair of concerts with guitarist Ulf Wakenius (who also worked with Peterson) and drummer Jonas Johansen, the first five tracks from 1999 and the last six from Pedersen's final recorded concert in March 2005, just a few weeks before his sudden death from a heart attack. […] Both concerts are intimately recorded and this is easily one of Niels Pedersen's best CDs as a leader. ~Ken Dryden, All Music Guide