Bob Hillman Some of Us Are Free, Some of Us Are Lost Annotated Credits
Ar st Bob Hillman Role Acous c guitar, lead vocals, harmony vocals (2, 8)
Producer/Musician Jonny Flaugher Role Prodcuer, electric and double bass Selected Credits Ryan Adams, The Weepies, Dan Bern, Joseph Arthur, Howard Fishman, Joshua Radin Notes I met Jonny Flaugher when he played on Lost Soul in 2015. We re-connected in May 2018 when he was playing bass with The Weepies and I opened their San Francisco and Sacramento shows. I described the idea behind an album I wanted to make, and he expressed interest in helping me realize that vision. Three months later, he’d booked and studio and a bunch of great musicians, and six months later we were finished.
Musician Rich Hinman Role Acous c guitar (7, 9, 11), electric, slide, and high-strung guitars, pedal steel Selected Credits k.d. lang, Sara Bareilles, Roseanne Cash, Anais Mitchell, Milk Carton Kids Notes I was excited about playing with Rich, because other guitarists about him. I can confirm that he’s a versa le and sensi ve mul -instrumentalist who can both rock out – as he does on You’re off the Rails - and “float” over the music, as he does on Adri .
Musician Philip Krohnengold Role Piano, organ, Wurlitzer, Casio SK-1, synthesizer, electric 12-string guitar (8) Selected Credits Sara Bareilles, Milk Carton Kids, Jennifer Ne les (Sugarland) Notes Phil joined on short no ce and nailed a bunch of songs very quickly. In addi on to playing various keyboard instruments, he knocked out the electric 12-string solo on The Surfing Life, which we conceived a er Rich had already gone home.
Musician Tamir Barzilay Role Drums, percussion (1-4, 7, 9-11) Selected Credits Macy Gray, Tal Wilkenfeld Notes Tamir is one of the most crea ve drummers I’ve worked with; his approach on the first two songs we recorded – Song for Sarah and Carveresque – set the tone for the album. Musician Griffin Goldsmith Role Drums, percussion (5, 6, 8), drum programming (5, 8) Selected Credits Dawes Notes Griffin, who founded Dawes with his brother Taylor, filled in for Tamir, who wasn’t available for our follow-up session in October 2018. Among other things, Griffin deserves credit for coming up with the four-on-the-floor chorus that drives You’re Off the Rails and the hand claps that power The Surfing Life.
Musician Jordan Katz Role Trumpet, bass trumpet, flugelhorn, horn arrangements Selected Credits Dan Bern, Amy Ray, Lucinda Williams Jimmy Cliff, De La Soul Notes I’ve had trumpet on two other albums, but never a trumpet sec on, which is what Jordan provided all by himself on the first version of I’m In Love With You, Song for Sarah, and Carveresque.
Musician Paul Cartwright Role Violin, viola, string arrangements Selected Credits Portugal the Man, Father John Misty, Kamasi Washington Notes From the quality of Paul’s string arrangements, you’d think he’d have labored over them for weeks. In fact, he worked them up in less than an hour. A er listening to the tunes, we discussed where and what Paul might play. Then, he jo ed down three parts in musical nota on, set up three chairs in front of three mics, and played two violins and a viola, crea ng the string trio that bu resses Shiny Silver and Adri .
Musician Laura Mace Role Harmony vocals (1, 3, 4, 9) Selected Credits Foo Fighters Notes Laura’s a jazz singer who also happens to work as a backup singer for an arena rock band.
Musician Sarah Dugas Role Harmony vocals (5, 6) Selected Credits The Duhks Notes Sarah is a French-Canadian whose accent is discernible if you listen carefully. She started touring with her family band at 7 and with other bands at 14. Now, she’s working on a solo career in addi on to crushing the backup singing jobs that come her way. Musician Marky Lennon Role Harmony vocals (11) Selected Credits Venice, Roger Waters, Phil Collins Notes Marky is an old friend who works with his brother and cousins in Venice, a folk/rock vocal group that’s huge in the Netherlands. He also sang backup on Roger Waters’s most recent The Wall tour, and has worked for Phil Collins and Cher. If that’s not compelling enough, his legendary cover band, The Pine Mountain Logs, entertained at my wedding.
Recording Engineer Pierre de Reeder Studio 64 Sound (Highland Park, CA) Selected Credits M. Ward, Ben Harper, Vampire Weekend, Death Cab For Cu e, Jenny Lewis, Lucinda Williams Notes Pierre played bass in Riley Kiley before opening 64 Sound. In addi on to being a though ul and speedy engineer, Pierre puts everyone at ease and provides great snacks. While we were recording, there was a period piece being filmed outside; it can be disorien ng when you exit the studio a er a long session into the 1950s.
Recording Engineer Clay Blair Studio Boulevard Recording (Hollywood, CA) Selected Credits Richard Thompson, The Pogues, Keith Urban, Jim James, Cheap Trick Notes Before it was Boulevard Recording, Pink Floyd recorded The Wall and Steely Dan recorded Aja and Gaucho in this space. Intrepid musicians with me to kill can tour the Museum of Death, which is right next door.
Mix Engineer Ethan Allen Studio Royal Triton (Silver Lake, CA) Selected Credits Mavis Staples, Ben Harper, Pa y Griffin, Joe Henry, Throwing Muses Notes Ethan is a Daniel Lanois protégé who has worked as a producer, engineer, and mixer for many, many great ar sts. While we were working on my album, he was preparing to co- produce Mavis Staples with Ben Harper.
Mastering Engineer Dave Collins Studio Dave Collins Mastering Selected Credits S ng, Metallica, Soundgarden, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna Notes Quite simply, Dave is known as one of the best mastering engineers in the world. Collage Ar st Tim Robinson Notes Tim is a collage ar st whose work has appeared in The Na on, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many more. He’s also a superb songwriter who has released three albums.