Unit of Measure

Amazon.com
This unexpected summit from the Tony Rice Unit communicates deeply and wisely--without a single sung word. Tony Rice's damaged vocal chords may still be healing, but his guitar playing--as captured in these previously unreleased sessions from 1996--has remained nimble, adventurous, and inviolable. With one ear to his bluegrass roots and the other to jazz liberation, he leads the Unit (featuring brother Wyatt on guitar, Rickie and Ronnie Simpkins on fiddle and bass respectively, and mandolinist Jimmy Gaudreau) through 10 instrumentals, beginning with a radically reimagined version of "Manzanita" (the title track from their 1979 album) and ending with a wild 1993 concert performance of "Sally Goodin," the Unit's long-time finale. Along the way the group cooks up traditional songs and standards by Bill Monroe and Django Reinhardt, all with patient, tasteful intelligence. There's also a serene, stately solo-guitar reading of "An Olde Irish Aire (Danny Boy)" from 1999. Rice calls the unbearably lovely arrangement of "Shenandoah" "a culmination of ideas that come into focus over a long period of time." No description could get closer to the essence of these thrilling, finely calibrated performances. --Roy Kasten

Tracks:

Manzanita (1st Variation)
House Of The Rising Sun
Shenandoah
Gold Rush
Jerusalem Ridge
High Noon
Beaumont Rag
Swing 42
An Olde Irish Aire (Danny Boy)
Sally Goodin

Amazon.com

This unexpected summit from the Tony Rice Unit communicates deeply and wisely--without a single sung word. Tony Rice's damaged vocal chords may still be healing, but his guitar playing--as captured in these previously unreleased sessions from 1996--has remained nimble, adventurous, and inviolable. With one ear to his bluegrass roots and the other to jazz liberation, he leads the Unit (featuring brother Wyatt on guitar, Rickie and Ronnie Simpkins on fiddle and bass respectively, and mandolinist Jimmy Gaudreau) through 10 instrumentals, beginning with a radically reimagined version of "Manzanita" (the title track from their 1979 album) and ending with a wild 1993 concert performance of "Sally Goodin," the Unit's long-time finale. Along the way the group cooks up traditional songs and standards by Bill Monroe and Django Reinhardt, all with patient, tasteful intelligence. There's also a serene, stately solo-guitar reading of "An Olde Irish Aire (Danny Boy)" from 1999. Rice calls the unbearably lovely arrangement of "Shenandoah" "a culmination of ideas that come into focus over a long period of time." No description could get closer to the essence of these thrilling, finely calibrated performances. --Roy Kasten

Customer Reviews:

Can't get this one out of my head-and that's good........2002-04-04

This is my first exposure to the Tony Rice Unit, though I had listened to David Grisman's Hot Dawg (with T.R. on guitar) some years back. I can't say enough good here- somewhat out of the deep bluegrass genre perhaps, this CD blends guitar, fiddle, mandolin and bass together in smooth, haunting melody and foot-stomping frolic in the most seamless manner imaginable. You will not be disappointed.

More fine work by TRU.......2002-02-24

An excellent collection. Everything is very clean, very musical, and the arrangements are skillful and appropriate. More straigt-ahead bluegrass than I expected, but there is still a variety here. Not as "space-grassy" as I would like it to be. One of my favorite records is "Backwaters," and this seems like a step backwards stylistically from that, hence my rating of 4 stars instead of 5. However, there is nothing to complain about other than I would have liked to hear more jazz on this record.

More great Rice music.......2001-09-12

This album is one song after the other of great jazzgrass from one of the masters. I normally don't write reviews, but I felt obligated this one time to say buy this album for Sally Goodin' if nothing else. I have heard plenty of Tony Rice(by himself and with others) and several different bands' cuts of Sally Goodin' and I have never heard better of either. Holy S*%t. That's all I have to say. It is unbelievable anyone can play that hard and that fast for over 8 minutes. The rest of the album is great also, but Sally Goodin', wow. That's all I'm gonna say.

Relaxing yet Enthralling Album!.......2001-04-10

It isn't often that I come across an album that can soothe as well as excite and amaze me. Everyone on the album shines. Rice uses just the right amount of technicality in his playing to keep me absorbed mentally yet allow me to relax and enjoy the music. I find this album even more exciting and adventurous than his similar 1979 album Manzanita. This whole CD is done without vocals, instead utilizing tons of solos by everyone! The tracks flow quite well together too. This album is probably best suited for any fan of Tony Rice, bluegrass, flat picking, and especially those who love intelligent bluegrass compositions without vocals.

I wish these guys would tour again.......2001-03-03

If you are a fan of bluegrass/acoustic music and haven't heard this cd yet, buy it now. You won't be disappointed. This has got to be one of the most talented lineups around. The guitar work between Tony and Wyatt is amazing and the fiddle playing is so nice it has to be heard. This is a great one. Hit the road soon TRU.

Music Album:

Music Album