Skaggs & Rice [Original recording remastered]

Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 8, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1980
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sugarhill
• ASIN: B000000EYP
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,817 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Indie Music > Country > Contemporary Country
  • #28 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites, October 23, 2003

By 

G. Parnell "garythemessage" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skaggs & Rice (Audio CD)

I grew up in North Cental Arkansas, about an hour west of Mountain View. The gospel songs on this album took me back to my childhood days in the old bible belt. "Where the Soul of Man Never Dies" still makes me cry. We played this album at my Father's funeral. It's got emtional ups and downs, and it was a fittin' play for my Daddy's final rest.

"Burry Me Beneath the Willow" was the song that originally did me in. I heard this song playing at a friend's house, and I was immediately hooked. I've always loved Ricky Skagg's traditional bluegrass, and Tony Rice is a master in so many ways. I ain't much for bluegrass that don't follow the old line, and this CD pleased by keeping close to its roots, but it did have a fresh sound to some good old songs.

This is and always will be one of my favorites. Thanks, Ricky and Tony! My Daddy loved your album, too!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The highest form of old time duets I've ever heard, July 10, 2003

By 

"bluesreview" (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skaggs & Rice (Audio CD)

It is hard to mask any mistakes when there are only two instruments and two voices on a recording. There just is not anything to hide behind, nor is there anything to take your part and carry you. Especially hard is when two singer/players have such different ranges in both their instruments and voices, as Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs do in their guitar and mandolin and respective singing. This CD, a collection of old time style duets has crystal clear recording and shows what two master players can do together. It is a classic collection.

Opening with "Bury Me Beneath the Willow," the album has a distinctly bittersweet sound to it. Many of the songs are gospel gospel-influenced, but the arrangements are anything but staid. Reserved is probably the better word for it, as Rice and Skaggs hold back their considerable aresenals of chops for the majority of the album, choosing instead to self-accompany their tight harmonies with taste. The few instances where they do cut loose, particularly "More Pretty Girls than One" and "Tennessee Blues," show that these guys can play with authority Saturday night and then again on Sunday morning. The a cappella duet is as haunting as it is beautiful, and has found itself played often on my stereos.

This album showcases the talents of two virtuosos in perfect concert with each other, in voice and playing. Unfortunately, Rice's voice is unable to do what it does on this album anymore, but at least this lasting document of his vocal talents, and those of Ricky Skaggs (The Guy Who Plays the Little Guitar and Sings Like a Little Girl!), is available for purchase.

Buy, listen to it, cherish it. Its a great disc.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An all-time great pairing--quite simply, one of the best, May 27, 1999

By 

John Vaughan ([e-mail]) (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Skaggs & Rice (Audio CD)

Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice have long been recognized as terrific musicians and vocalists but together, they are spectacular. The blending of their voices, the melodic picking, and the love they clearly have for these songs make this CD rank as one of the best. If you only have one bluegrass CD (and you're not a real fan), this is the one for you.

The question I have is why they didn't do more. My guess is that business/contractual issues kept them from doing so. Maybe they didn't like each other. Whatever...they got together for this one project and it has become a true classic. I love every song.