Chris and Herb Concert Review
Valentine's Night 2003 at the Coffee Gallery

ByAlan Rockman

Just when I think that Chris and Herb cannot surpass themselves in their wonderful singing, crystal clear harmonies and superb pickin', and superfine professionalism - they just simply do it again!

Case in point is last Friday night's Coffee Gallery Backstage Redux.

While Chris and Herb (with Bill Bryson on tow on bass and vocals) wowed the folks at Russ & Julies House Concert, they simply won over the over-capacity crowd at Bob Stane's great Altadena, California venue Friday night. It was just Chris and Herb this time around, and they could do no wrong...30 songs - with a nice brace of new tunes written by Chris and Steve Hill. The new songs are something to look forward to - as are some of the Harlan Howard and Wilburns tunes they performed (on a Sugar Hill album???)

Valentines Night was an appropriate one, as there was a lot of love emanating towards the two guys on the mandolin and guitar. This was a crowd that consisted both of old and new faces. Folks like myself who followed Chris and Herb throughout their stellar careers, and new ones who had heard just how wonderful the gents are as singers, players, and All-American Nice Guys. And Mrssrs. Hillman and Pedersen did not disappoint - they're at the peak of their collective powers and prowess as singers and pickers. Then again I've been known for having said that before - and then they turn around and always put on a better show than the last one!

Without further ado - the songlist

Back Porch Boy
Willow Tree
Mansions for Me* (new song sung by Chris)
Love Reunited
To A Heart Always True (Herb Pedersen - lead vocals)
Somebody's Back in Town ( wonderful Wilburns tune)
Wheels
I Hear A Voice Calling (Chris and Herb duet lead vocals)
Hard Times
You Done Me Wrong
Turn, Turn, Turn
Old Crossroads
No Longer A Sweetheart of Mine (Herb - lead vocals)
The Other Side* ( a great new Hillman- Steve Hill song)
You Are Learning
No One Else (Herb - lead vocals)
Row ( Gospel Tune)
It Doesn't Matter (it would be great to have Chris revisit this song, or even "Bound to Fall" from his Manassas days)
Above and Beyond* (Thanks, Guys. A Great Harlan Howard song made famous by Buck Owens and Don Rich...would love to hear this on a "C&H" album with the full DRB sitting in)
Rangers Command (from the Hillmen days)
Better Man Than That (from "Way Out West". In a perfect world, this should have and would have been a Grammy contender!)
Wait A Minute (Herb - lead vocals)
Wayfaring Stranger*
White Dove* (Herb - lead vocals)
Old San Antone (from: "Running Wild" w\the Rice Brothers)
Hold On (Herb - lead vocals)
Bakersfield Bound
I Wish You Knew* (great duet lead vocals)
Eight Miles High
Heavens Lullaby (dedicated to Connie Hillman)

An outstanding performance by two outstanding musicians at one of Southern California's most outstanding venues for live folk and country-oriented music. Looking forward to the next one -as always!