Customer Reviews

Skaggs and Rice

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This is the simplicity of honest traditional acoustic music done by two masters of their instruments, who by the way harmonize like old brother teams.

I'm a big fan of old-time "brother duets" like Ralph and Carter Stanley, the Louvin Bros., the Monroe Bros., and the Delmore Bros. This album deserves a place at the top of this long-established genre. Here we have two of the best musicians alive today coming together to perform some of the most moving and powerful songs that I've ever heard. There's a nice mix of Gospel and secular, along with a hot instrumental. Skaggs and Rice have mastered harmony vocals in the old style, and one hardly needs to mention their abilities as musicians. This is moving piece of work that I find myself listening to over and over again at home, in the car, and at work. BUY IT!

This cd can be looked at as an offspring of the Doc Watson and Bill Monroe duets recording. These guys are such great players and singers and perform the material flawlessly without falling into the glossed over pop-grass sound. This album gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.

Great album...the harmonies and flatpicking are infectious

One of the best releases I've ever heard. It combines the mastership of two of the finest instrumentalists around with an unbeaten feel for what good music should sound like. The songs are entirely performed into the tradition of home made country music. Everyone who is interested in acoustic country should own this album!

The vocals are clear and the harmonies good. The album carries a sense of veracitie that will not be denied.

This duo is a winning one but one song has stayed with me for years. They sing 'Talk about Suffering' without accomaniment and their voices simply ring. I've sung this song as a lullaby to my children at bedtime, it's just that memorable.