Yes, Chris Hillman is still around. Thank goodness. One of the founding members of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and the fantastic Desert Rose Band, this new album is as captivating as any of them. Produced by Tom Petty, it sees old friends David Crosby and Roger McGuinn, as well as Benmont Tench from Petty’s band, and Herb Pedersen, who also executive produced the project. One of the most exciting and endearing albums of 2017, its top to bottom fantastic. Opening with “The Bells of Rhymney,” from the Byrds debut half a century ago, his voice shows no signs of wear. “Here She Comes: Again” is a previously unreleased masterpiece that Hillman and McGuinn that reminds of the Desert Rose Band. Gorgeous harmonies and instrumentation. His cover of the Everly Brothers’ “Walk Right Back” is perfection. “Such is the World We Live In” wonders what his grandfather would say about the world today. He guesses that grandpa would say, “Oh boys old on tight/all that’s wrong now is right/stand your ground and take up the fight.” The closer, “Wildflowers,” a Petty-penned number has a sound that will endure. All in all, just a fantastic album top to bottom