Search - Tony Rice :: Native American

Five stars because I can't give it six.

Greg | Alpena, MI | 12/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the most varied, atmospheric, and melodic CDs you'll ever come across. Rice is unbelievable on the guitar, as usual, and if you're a guitarist, you'll be shaking your head in disbelief (How do you play THAT on an accoustic guitar?!) Also, the supporting players, to include Jerry Douglas on the dobro, are outstanding. It's the songs, however, that carry this disc. Though none are penned by Tony, he has a way of arranging that makes a great song even better. He has a tendency to "jazz up" a song by substituting add 9 chords and major & minor seventh chords on some of the slower songs, making them absolutely gorgeous (check out Shadows, Go My Way, and Urge for Going). The highlights here are definately the two Gordon Lightfoot songs, Shadows & Go My Way; the Joni Mitchell one, Urge For Going; and the new and excellent John Wilkes Booth, written by Mary Chapin-Carpenter. However, there honestly is not a weak song on the disc if you like folk, bluegrass, or country (although it'd be tough to catagorize this--but who needs to anyway?). I own all of Tony's stuff, and the only album I like better is his "...sings Gordon Lightfoot" disc, because Lightfoot is one of my favorite songwriters. Any serious music lover should own this disc by a man who is truly one of the best guitarists to ever live."

Meisterwerk

Wayfaring Stranger | Portland, OR | 02/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not much can really be added to all of these glowing reviews, but I'm compelled to add my two cents' worth. Compelled, I say, because ... well ... I LOVE Tony's music. And this is simply an incredible collection of covers, executed with a style and nuance that only Tony can seem to bring to dusty ol' standards and popular tracks as well. I am sure that this album figures prominently in the collection of bluegrass fans all around the world. I have filed it in the "definitive" section my CD rack. An absolute favorite. I wish Tony could still sing it like he did on this one. ("John Wilkes Booth" is an exceptional piece of music.) Some of these cuts will break your heart.



WARNING: This is one of those albums you don't really want to spring on your friends too quickly if you're trying to initiate them into bluegrass. It might cause paralysis. Or, barring that, you might spoil 'em too badly for some of the other great stuff out there. Nothing worse than a jaded neophyte. Make 'em work up to it!"

One of the Best by One of the Best

Dr Victor S Alpher | Austin, Texas, U.S.A. | 10/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Tony Rice fan since as long as I can remember...and his music just gets better and better. His album "Manzanita" sustained me during a period of time while I was plying the fiddle trade with a Bay Area bluegrass band back in the late 1970's--I thought his work had reached perfection, but I was wrong.



As good as his guitar work is, Jerry Douglas almost carries the album instrumentally as well as Tony. But the real kicker--"John Wilkes Boothe" written by Mary Chapin-Carpenter...how do you get a zippy song about the assassination of President Lincoln out of your mind? "In the name of God and Dixie, in the name of God and Dixieland...." this could be one of the best songs penned by Ms. Chapin-Carpenter...just one man's opinion.



I disagree with the critic who fears this would turn neophytes away from bluegrass. I've used it to great effect even with punk-rockers....way to go Tony.



Essential to any acoustic music collection."