Rice was “the single most influential acoustic guitar player in the last 50 years,” said Ricky Skaggs, who played alongside Rice in the group the New South in the 1970s and later rejoined him for a classic duets album, “Skaggs/Rice.”...
“Sometime during Christmas morning while making his coffee, our dear friend and guitar hero Tony Rice passed from this life and made his swift journey to his heavenly home,” Skaggs wrote. “
My brother and I and my best friend go to an annual Bluegrass festival in Lyons Co every year. Mr. Rice has played there. He will be missed by all fans of Bluegrass.
Never heard of him. Played Fav Things and it sounded like Cali blue grass, not the Bugtussle kind. According to Wiki he grew up in LA and played with Jerry Garcia.
Thanks for highlighting Tony Rice. Will have to take a deep dive into his work.
It's always amazing to see someone do something who is literally world-class.
It could be music (especially great to me as I can carry a tune but can't play anything) or sports, or even something mundane.
I even enjoy watching really talented tradesmen (my father was a carpenter) doing simple things like hooking up a water heater.
Btw, Ricky Skaggs is no slouch with the guitar himself...
So let's turn around the 'most famous person you've met' question and make it:
Who is the most talented person you've seen do anything in a small setting?
I once saw Yo Yo Ma when I was in college (early '80s). He was practicing in a small auditorium for a concert later in the day. I just wandered in (the music building was a good shortcut on campus) and sat in the front row...just a few of his folks and me. I just looked him up, and he would have been only 26 or 27 at the time.
If you wanted to retire on social security, a small town north of Greensboro like Reidsville would be great. Close enough to good healthcare, low priced housing, no riots.
Who is the most talented person you've seen do anything in a small setting? ******** I saw classical guitarist Eliot Fisk play in a small Lexington, MA church to an audience of about fifty people.
Fisk was Segovia's last private student, and his performance showed why The Master had favored him with that honor. The guy didn't flub a note, no matter how complex the piece.
During intermission fellow amateur guitarists expressed their rueful admiration for Fisk's abilities. We had all played some of the pieces, but none of us could come close to his mastery of the instrument. Very impressive. (And after the performance he spent a half-hour talking with about six of us. Quite a guy.)
Thank you, Prof. For the third time in a week the first thing I've done here is click on one of your music vids, to find a performer and a piece I had no inkling of--and you've already made my day!
For those who don't know, Ricky Skaggs's daughter Molly is quite a musician in her own right. She is a worship singer with Bethel, and also plays keyboard and guitar.
I realize not everyone here will agree with this song's message, but even if not, her musicianship is captivating. And if I recall, this song either originated or was made famous by Johnny Cash. https://youtu.be/nGncW_ueyHA
"Who is the most talented person you've seen do anything in a small setting?"
I watched jazz pianist Cecil Taylor perform live in a college concert hall. The setting wasn't small, but the audience was. The concert was poorly advertised. Modern jazz isn't my thing, but he was amazing. Then he walked off the stage, and people assumed he was done, so they left. It turned out he was giving himself an unannounced intermission. When he came back, there were a dozen people in the auditorium. He still played his heart out. It was quite a treat.
When I was in college, 1976 I think, Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band played the Church Key in Madison. I had a front row seat and it was beyond fantastic. It was a last minute thing. Announced on Monday, show on Wednesday. The story was they were on tour and she decided she'd like to play at an old honky tonk and the Key was conveniently located between shows in Chicago and Minneapolis.
Tony loved his hot rods, always drove himself to gigs even across country ... just him, his suits, and his guitar.
Love Manzanita and his work on the first David Grisman Quintet album from 75.
That said, his Skaggs and Rice duet album is wonderful. Their version of Bury Me Beneath The Willow has truly hair raising harmonies. No one can touch that version.
I do appreciate his talent and skill, and understand why he has a large, loyal fan base, but, that style of guitar playing only makes me nervous, edgy.
I spent hours listening to Carlos Montoya and Andre Segovia in my teens - but haven't listened to or thought of them in years. Don't think I could now.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Encourage Althouse by making a donation:
Make a 1-time donation or set up a monthly donation of any amount you choose:
Posts
26 comments:
My brother and I and my best friend go to an annual Bluegrass festival in Lyons Co every year. Mr. Rice has played there. He will be missed by all fans of Bluegrass.
My Favorite Things tilted more jazz than bluegrass.
A very talented guitarist.
Both those pieces are pretty amazing. I'm surprised I'm not that familiar with his work. I should have been paying more attention.
Church Street Blues was very banjoey.
Well, that really sucks! Tony had one of the most unique guitar styles in the acoustic guitar world and had a fantastic singing voice.
His masterpiece: Manzanita
I have always been a big fan of Norman Blake. Flat picker
Loved him in the David Grisman quintet. Their first album from 1977 is an absolute classic. It is still on my most played list.
Never heard of him. Played Fav Things and it sounded like Cali blue grass, not the Bugtussle kind. According to Wiki he grew up in LA and played with Jerry Garcia.
Thanks for highlighting Tony Rice. Will have to take a deep dive into his work.
Manzanita... Awesome. Thanks!
North!
Thank you! Just listened! Great stuff!
Just sent the song to my future wife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5P6tO2Rs70&ab_channel=LessThanFaceProductions
This is my favorite Tony Rice piece. It is mesmerizing.
"Cold Rain and Snow"
It's always amazing to see someone do something who is literally world-class.
It could be music (especially great to me as I can carry a tune but can't play anything) or sports, or even something mundane.
I even enjoy watching really talented tradesmen (my father was a carpenter) doing simple things like hooking up a water heater.
Btw, Ricky Skaggs is no slouch with the guitar himself...
So let's turn around the 'most famous person you've met' question and make it:
Who is the most talented person you've seen do anything in a small setting?
I once saw Yo Yo Ma when I was in college (early '80s). He was practicing in a small auditorium for a concert later in the day. I just wandered in (the music building was a good shortcut on campus) and sat in the front row...just a few of his folks and me. I just looked him up, and he would have been only 26 or 27 at the time.
Your turn...
If you wanted to retire on social security, a small town north of Greensboro like Reidsville would be great. Close enough to good healthcare, low priced housing, no riots.
-XC
Who is the most talented person you've seen do anything in a small setting?
********
I saw classical guitarist Eliot Fisk play in a small Lexington, MA church to an audience of about fifty people.
Fisk was Segovia's last private student, and his performance showed why The Master had favored him with that honor. The guy didn't flub a note, no matter how complex the piece.
During intermission fellow amateur guitarists expressed their rueful admiration for Fisk's abilities. We had all played some of the pieces, but none of us could come close to his mastery of the instrument. Very impressive. (And after the performance he spent a half-hour talking with about six of us. Quite a guy.)
I just got here--no comments to interfere.
Thank you, Prof. For the third time in a week the first thing I've done here is click on one of your music vids, to find a performer and a piece I had no inkling of--and you've already made my day!
Narr
RIP Tony, I hardly knew ye
For those who don't know, Ricky Skaggs's daughter Molly is quite a musician in her own right. She is a worship singer with Bethel, and also plays keyboard and guitar.
I realize not everyone here will agree with this song's message, but even if not, her musicianship is captivating. And if I recall, this song either originated or was made famous by Johnny Cash.
https://youtu.be/nGncW_ueyHA
"Who is the most talented person you've seen do anything in a small setting?"
I watched jazz pianist Cecil Taylor perform live in a college concert hall. The setting wasn't small, but the audience was. The concert was poorly advertised. Modern jazz isn't my thing, but he was amazing. Then he walked off the stage, and people assumed he was done, so they left. It turned out he was giving himself an unannounced intermission. When he came back, there were a dozen people in the auditorium. He still played his heart out. It was quite a treat.
When I was in college, 1976 I think, Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band played the Church Key in Madison. I had a front row seat and it was beyond fantastic. It was a last minute thing. Announced on Monday, show on Wednesday. The story was they were on tour and she decided she'd like to play at an old honky tonk and the Key was conveniently located between shows in Chicago and Minneapolis.
Tony loved his hot rods, always drove himself to gigs even across country ... just him, his suits, and his guitar.
Love Manzanita and his work on the first David Grisman Quintet album from 75.
That said, his Skaggs and Rice duet album is wonderful. Their version of Bury Me Beneath The Willow has truly hair raising harmonies. No one can touch that version.
"When I was in college, 1976 I think, Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band played the Church Key in Madison."
The voice of an angel and an incredibly gorgeous woman...
I do appreciate his talent and skill, and understand why he has a large, loyal fan base, but, that style of guitar playing only makes me nervous, edgy.
I spent hours listening to Carlos Montoya and Andre Segovia in my teens - but haven't listened to or thought of them in years. Don't think I could now.
Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen and John Jorgenson from about 6’. I’m thinking Hillman and Pedersen have some kinda mind meld thing going on.
Also McGuinn and Hillman with Marty Stuart and the Fabulous superlatives RIGHT THERE. Marty and Kenny Vaughn are on another planet.
Well, if you gonna talk about Rice and bluegrass, then play some bluegrass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvTILtU--1g
RIP Mr. Rice.
But that ain't bluegrass.
Got to see Doc and Merle Watson several times at the old McCabe's guitar shop in LA.
Lightning was ashamed.
In April 1979 I saw Danny Gatton and Buddy Emmons play at Jonathan Swifts; a small club in Harvard Square. That was an eye-opener for me.
Post a Comment