Customer Reviews

The Bluegrass Guitar Collection

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
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Tony Rice is the greatest acoustic guitarist I've ever heard. His right hand knows what the left hand is doing. The tone and balance in his style haven't been equaled although every flatpicker after him owes him a debt of gratitude. The tunes are fiddle toons for the most part with a fantastic supporting cast which has been the norm for Tony throughout his recording history. This is a great collection spaning much of his career.

The collection showcases the fine instrument the man plays as well. I first heard and saw this guitar in person about 25 years ago and it sounds even better today. It's as legendary as the current owner. The instrument was obscure for it's first 25 years. Then it was purchased in 1960 for Clarence White by his father for a mere $35. Tony Rice purchased it in 1975. The 1935 Martin D28 is the finest guitar of it's kind in the world. And it's no accident that Tony Rice owns and plays it.

kcoyner

In his liner notes, guitarist Ron Block simply states that Tony Rice "epitomizes the best in bluegrass and acoustic music." This 20-track collection clearly makes a strong argument to support that claim. Along with Doc Watson and the late Clarence White (whose guitar is now owned by Rice and featured on the cover), no one has had the kind of incluence on a generation of guitar pickers as Tony Rice. Each of these songs is a gem, and showcases Rice's prowess in a bluegrass setting. [Although the final two tracks owe more to David Grisman's "dawg" grass than bluegrass.]

While none of these are new recordings, they reflect the consistently high quality music Rice has recorded over the decades on Rounder with the Tony Rice Unit, the Rice Brothers, the Bluegrass Album Band and other projects.

In addition to the liner notes by Block, Rice provides commentary for each of the albums 20 tracks (musicians are listed, too) as well as a page-long essay on the Martin guitar featured on these songs. Overall, it is a solid introduction. [Running Time - 69:31] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

For the past thirty years Tony Rice has been acknowledged as the towering figure in the field of bluegrass guitar. This album features the flatpicking instrumentals that developed that stellar reputation. Tony is a master of speed, taste, and tone. Along with Tony, the album features a who's who of the top bluegrass instrumentalists providing backup and sharing solos. This collection is outstanding and easily rates five stars.

Never heard of Tony Rice until a couple of weeks ago--went to see a new documentary "Bluegrass Journey" at the AFI Silver in DC. Great movie with lots of bluegrass stars (mostly unknown to me, save Tim O'Brien)..and near the end of it, Tony Rice plays a solo number combining Shenandoah with Danny Boy...sounds odd, I know, but it was a jawdropper. Left the theatre with a couple of names to check out (Nicklecreek and Tony Rice). Have purchased two Rice albums thus far...this one and Manzanita....both are excellent. This one is more traditional bluegrass sound (has the banjo on some tracks) but still not the nasal twanging stuff of my childhood nightmares...Vassar Clements makes an appearance as does Doc Watson and many others. With tunes selected from a wide range of Tony Rice albums this is a nice place to start your new collection...

This is quite simply a virtuoso performance by the best acoustic guitarist of all time, and an ensemble of some of the other great bluegrass musicians. It cannot be missed, if you love bluegrass guitar -- hell even if you like music.

Absolutely the best of the genre. A must for guitar aficionados of all taste.

Any cd with Tony Rice burnin' up the acoustic fretboard is worth the $!
He is one of the all time greats...of Bluegrass guitar...into jazz sometimes!

I bought this CD because I am a huge Tony Rice fan. When it comes to bluegrass accoustic guitar picking, Tony Rice is in a class by himself.
This CD is certainly one of the best for Tony Rice and bluegrass fans. Wish that I could rate it higher that just 5 stars!

Anyone who gives this less than 5 stars needs to take their medication. This album gave me goosebumps.

Clarence White lives....If you like bluegrass and especially bluegrass guitar this Cd will start you on a quest for all of Tony Rice's work. Spanning much of his career the songs feature Rice along with many other geats of bluegrass. You'll find atleast six or seven songs you'll want to play over and over again. My personnal favorite Port Tobacco has a jazz sound very similar to Acoustic Alchemy and yet still feels like bluegrass. Great CD