Customer Reviews

Cold on the Shoulder

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Tony Rice's utter wizardy and grace shines through on Cold on the Shoulder. From his lilting playing on the title track to his renowned lightening-speed flat pickin', Tony Rice is the master of bluegrass guitar. This CD will make anyone weep and tap his feet. Check Tony out. He's worth the listen.

"At first I was miffed that this album was short at 35 minutes. Well after about 15 listens through, the length becomes a moot issue because the quality of musicianship is so high.

I was on leave from the Navy in 1985 when this album got into my hands and I like to drove my shipmates crazy with this and Chuch Street Blues. This was by far one of Rice's best efforts since the first Bluegrass Album Band album. The lineup is one of legend and not a single slip from open to close. If there were any criticism of Cold On The Shoulder it would come from the fact that there was so much production effort put into it that it lacked the rawer edge that I'd grown accustomed to. In comparison to his earlier work on albums like Guitar, Manzanita, etc this was a little more refined and (seemingly) less spontaneous. That said, the song selection here is superb and Tony gives everyone equal opportunity to shine. This was also one his better vocal efforts coupled with harmony from some of the best in the biz.

If you've never heard Tony Rice before or are just now getting into his music, this will serve as a good primer. The work he put out in later years (Me and My Guitar, Native American, etc.) was good but lacked that certain spark that has made Tony a legend. Cold On The Shoulder, Church Street Blues, Backwaters, Manzanita, Guitar and (if they're still in print) the three albums he did for Rebel in the mid-seventies are excellent starting points. Pick this one up and you won't be disappointed.

8) Cold on the Shoulder is a tribute album, using many influences of Bluegrass artists, country music performing artists, folk and concert Icons of the performing arts, in a wonderful combo of volume 6-8 sound.

This is a "solo appearance," of the famous Guitarist Tony Rice, apart from his "Tony Rice Unit," one of the most dedicated, melodic acoustic combos ever.

"Cold on the Shoulder," introduces the listener to an alternative compliment to the works of Gordon Lightfoot, a regular fan's interpretation on an advanced Bluegrass "Boogy" mode.

Long time faves of Bluegrass Music Flatt & Scruggs, country music performing artist Jerry Reed, pianist Randy Newman, the adaptations of their music are astounding!

Solo and backup artists (Bluegrass)JD Crowe, accomplished instrumentalists Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck backup vocals and contributions by Kate Wolf, and Larry Rice, the inspirationally-melodic melodies of the late well accomplished Bluegrass Artist Vassar Clements, all combine to produce one of the most energizing acoustic albums ever made!

Very good and done with Tony's usual precision.I ran out of his works due to a nasty divorce, she got Tony's CD's, I got the cold shoulder. Oh well, at least I got a new start with new CD's, and one in life. LOL

Tony said that he considered "Cold on the Shoulder" to be a sequel to his previous iconic recording, "Manzanita." The style is similar and most of the musicians identical (including Sam bush, Vassar Clements, Jerry Douglas and Bobby Hicks). But where he had veered Manzanita away from a traditional Bluegrass style, completely omitting banjo, on "Cold on the Shoulder" he invited the talents of Grammy-winning innovator Bela Fleck.

The tunes include untraditional burns of traditional tunes like "Wayfaring Stranger" and "Muleskinner Blues", as well as interpretations that Rice was mastering. The man practically INVENTED "Americana" with interpretations of Bob Dylan's "Fare Thee Well" and Gordon Lightfoot's "Cold on the Shoulder" and "Bitter Green".

This album was recorded right in the center of a two decade span which saw Tony Rice completely redefine American string-band music. If you are wondering whether or not you should own "Cold on the Shoulder" - just ask Alison Krauss.

Once again, another great product from Tony Rice. He is my favorite acoustic guitarist, bar none, and he shines on this CD. The singing, picking, production... all stellar. It's not his best, but it's so good it doesn't matter.