The Desert Rose Band provided a definite breath of fresh air to late-‘80s country radio. Featuring ex-Byrd/Flying Burrito Brother Chris Hillman, fellow country-rock stalwart Herb Petersen and young guitar hotshot John Jorgenson, the group got off to a terrific start with its 1987 self-titled debut album. Hillman combines elements of bluegrass, Bakersfield-style honkytonk and Everly Brothers-esque pop/rock in these songs, keeping the emphasis mostly positive and family-friendly. “Love Reunited,” ”Hard Times” and “Time Between” (the latter a reworking of a Byrds-era tune) showcase the DRB’s crisp arrangements and lustrous vocal harmonies. The group’s cover of “Ashes of Love” underscores their affinity for old-fashioned country. Hillman steps out as a balladeer on the melancholy “He’s Back and I’m Blue,” while “Leave This Town” features one of Jorgenson’s tastier guitar leads. The album’s lyrics show maturity and depth – “One That Got Away” is a particularly sensitive account of romantic temptation. Among the support players, Jay Dee Maness is worth special mention for his inventive pedal steel work.