Chris Hillman is likely the most gentle tough guy in the West Coast music biz. Ironically, some of his best music has been recorded in places like Nashville and Springfield, VA. Nevertheless, it's not unusual for many to link him strictly with the "Bakersfield Sound". "The Other Side" was recorded in January 2005 in Burbank with the able assistance of outstanding musicians like most of Hillman's previous solo albums. Of course, there is Herb Pederson joined by Larry Parker (lead guitar), Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Sally Van meter (dobro), Bill Bryson (bass) and Skip Edwards (accordion). Jennifer Warnes sings harmony on "The Water Is Wide". "The Other Side" is arguably his best solo recording because it covers so much ground without leaving the bluegrass genre. Hillman states in the liner notes that thesre are "songs to soothe and uplift". They do. No doubt "Eight Miles High", the Byrds classic that Hillman added thundering bass lines to in the 1960s, has received its share of coffeehouse musician treatments in the decades since its release. It has not received the understated brilliance of the treatment Hillman gives it here. Other "anthems" of this collection include the title track, "True He's Gone" and "The Water Is Wide". The beauty and simplicity achieved in these songs is seldom matched by others. Hillman gives a Christian touch to the album with "True Love", "Heaven Is My Home", "Heavenly Grace" and "Our Savior's Hands". These would be welcome additions to any Sunday s