Byrds, Burritos, Manassas, vet Chris Hillman this Thursday at the Iron Horse

If there's a growing body of evidence that country is white soul music, the unplugged intensity of folk-rock veterans Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson would make a fine addition to the swelling pile of exhibits.

Overuse of the word notwithstanding, Hillman is a bona fide legend. He's a founding member of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band and the Desert Rose Band --- not to mention a virtuoso musician and a Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer. As one of the pioneers of country-rock, he was instrumental in creating the kind of hard-edged country music we now take for granted. Pederson, also a former member of the Desert Rose Band, has played with the Dillards, works with the Laurel Canyon Ramblers and has done sessions for just about every roots musician you can name. Last time Chris and Herb played the Horse, the two lifelong friends harmonized and picked during a 25-song, two-set show. Hillman stuck to mandolin for most of the show, while Pederson played acoustic guitar and handled the high harmonies.

Selecting songs at random from a list of 75 possibilities, Hillman and Pederson blended Byrds songs (Turn! Turn! Turn!, Mr. Tambourine Man, Time Between, Eight Miles High), Burritos gems (Wheels and Gene Clark's Tried So Hard), a couple of Manassas memories (It Doesn't Matter, So Begins the Task) and Desert Rose beauties (Story of Love, I Still Believe In You) with country and bluegrass favourites by the likes of Woody Guthrie, Buck Owens, the Carter Family and Lester Flatt. Their vocal blending was exquisite and their playing just about flawless. Most engagingly, they seemed to be having a wonderful time.

The inherent injustice in someone of Hillman's stature playing for 200 seemed not to bother him. This, then, would be the living definition of a true pro who is in it because he loves what he does.

The two lifelong friends harmonized and picked during a 25-song, two-set unplugged show at One Longfellow Square, a wonderfully intimate, sonically stunning, 200-seat venue. Hillman stuck to mandolin for most of the show, while Pederson played acoustic guitar and handled the high harmonies. No backup musicians were present. None were necessary. The sound was that full.

Selecting songs at random from a list of 75 possibilities, Hillman and Pederson blended Byrds songs (Turn! Turn! Turn!, Mr. Tambourine Man, Time Between, Eight Miles High), Burritos gems (Wheels and Gene Clark's Tried So Hard), a couple of Manassas memories (It Doesn't Matter, So Begins the Task) and Desert Rose beauties (Story of Love, I Still Believe In You) with country and bluegrass favourites by the likes of Woody Guthrie, Buck Owens, the Carter Family and Lester Flatt. Their vocal blending was exquisite and their playing just about flawless. Most engagingly, they seemed to be having a wonderful time.