Track Listing

1. Bury Me Beneath the Willow
2. Mansions for Me
3. More Pretty Girls Than One
4. Memories of Mother and Dad
5. Where the Soul of Man Never Dies
6. Talk About Suffering
7. Will the Roses Bloom (Where She Lies Sleeping)
8. Tennessee Blues
9. Old Crossroads
10. Have You Someone (In Heaven Awaiting)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #77053 in Music
• Released on: 1993-10-08
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
Though these two musicians had blazed many trails by 1980, Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice never lost their passion for traditional bluegrass and old-time country. This heartwarming collection, featuring classic bluegrass tunes and traditional folk songs done in the close-harmony duet style, still stands as a high-water mark for both men. By the time they'd joined forces in 1980, mandolinist Skaggs had gone through a tenure with Ralph Stanley's traditional Clinch Mountain Boys, retired at age 19, returned as part of J.D. Crowe's groundbreaking New South, graduated to his own Boone Creek, and done a tour of duty in Emmylou Harris's Hot Band. Rice, meanwhile, established himself as one of the most remarkable acoustic-guitar pickers of his generation through stints with Crowe's band as well as jazz-inflected "newgrass" endeavors with David Grisman and his own Tony Rice Unit. Here, these two forward-thinkers look backward to the 1930s and the heyday of the brother duets. Their harmonies shine and soar--an incredibly moving a cappella "Talk About Suffering" stands out--and Rice even sneaks in some masterful hot licks along the way. It remains a milestone in country music. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews

One of my favorites
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!

The highest form of old time duets I've ever heard
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.

An all-time great pairing--quite simply, one of the best
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.