This is how we should remember Tony. This video of his great voice and incredible guitar playing that will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Tony Rice 🕊
Ive been watching this video for six months after buying a dreadnought and learning the instruments history. Tony Rice really was the flat picking / crosspicking master and because of him I have learned to venture into a whole new way of playing. RIP Tony Rice.
Nobody talks about how good his singing is. Not just vocal quality, the actual singing performance. Modulating timber, volume and rhythm to create compelling emotions while performing on an even higher level on the guitar at the same time is just outer space stuff.
This song always makes me cry. It reminds me of when I moved to the city. I lived in a shotgun shack and I worked as a dishwasher for less money than I deserved. I used to walk four miles to work everyday and I had nothing to eat at home but beans and rice. I used to hang out with some hobos and we'd get drunk and talk shit about "rich people". When I had spare time I would sit around the square and play my guitar for money and food. This song feels like it was written just for me. Thank you if you've taken the time to read this. It's a sappy little story, but I still have nightmares about those days and I just had to get it off my chest. I have no one else to talk to about it so I decided this would help me somehow. I'm very glad to be living back at my little home in the country.
Thank you for sharing. I was just a little kid as the depression was drawing to a close. Even at 4YO I remember hard times as you described. Dad had a job but as you said - not much. Mom made clothes from feed sacks. Living in the country, if dad could get a few 22's he'd hunt and maybe we'd have squirrel, rabbit or if lucky a fat racoon. The war made things a little better but rationing didnt help. Still took those critters to make a meal. LOL Young people today have no clue.
Thanks for your story Joe. I can relate to your experiences . I raised 4 children on my own . I can't say I was ever desperate but I certainly learned how to scrounge and pinch pennies. What is the saying, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." My children are grown up now. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren as well. But those days are not forgotten. We learn from the hard times, and hopefully we can be kinder to others because we understand. Sorry, this sounds like a sermon. It's not meant to. But appreciate you sharing That. All the best to you. Hope life is alittle easier for you now.
I'm a metal guy, and this is some seriously scary playing. Don't let the deceptively simple harmony of this tune fool you, this is monster technique and melodic sense here.
Had to work heavy on my cross picking, plus pretty much Tony has made me a superior musician thanks to all the little things happening that are insanely difficult
So, my personal interests are a weird amalgamation of traditional folk music and death metal, and flatpicking is absolutely phenomenal. A lot of metalheads don't give it credit, but this kind of music in general is very interesting, even if you don't particularly care for the genre. Kenny Baker referred to bluegrass as hillbilly jazz, and he was absolutely right. It takes tremendous control and technique to be able to get something like Church Street Blues to sound like this.
This is literally harder to flatpick than trying to play any guitar solo lol. I thought my right hand was solid and tried for weeks to get a handle on this but ended up fingering half of it. I personally have never been stumped so thoroughly. I've run into some of those steel-guitar licks the country monsters would do that were really weird to learn, but you COULD eventually grasp it enough to at least fake it, but this shit is off the charts. Never say never on the guitar, you can always get it if you immerse yourself in it long enough, but this one might break the mold. I hate to say, but if you haven't flatpicked at the highest level for many many years, you simply will not be able to duplicate even segments of this elegant monstrosity lol
@@tyforsberg88 Take a run at it. In the end, you'll do yourself a world of good busting your ass. The album version is easier but still insane. Then once you nail it, if you don't play it every time you pick up the guitar, you lose it. I'm on to the Tommy Emmanuel/Chet/Merle Travis independent thumb stuff which is literally like starting over on the instrument. Struggling and doubting yourself is what makes this thing the shit, because you will get it eventually, and once you do it's another tool in the bag. Enjoy at your own risk lol
Ikr…bluegrass is often one of the hardest genres to master. Particularly flatpicking like Tony…he was just the best🫡 absolute genius and one of my favorite people ever.
I listened to this song 2 days ago to help heal my heart, as my best friend passed suddenly the day before Christmas Eve. 2020 has been so cruel. Thanks for the wonderful tunes Tony.
He was the lead vocalist when he and J.D. Crowe, Dowyle Lawson, Bobby Hicks formed ''The Bluegrass Album Band'',one of the best bluegrass supergroups. Tony Rice's voice is true bluegrass much better than today's newgrass. He was one of the greatest bluegrass legends. Now he sings in heaven. RIP Tony Rice.
He's been at the top of my list of guitar heros since around 1986 when I first heard of him. I was taking guitar lessons from a small guitar shop with a bluegrass radio station playing in the background. I kept asking the store manager: Who IS that playing!? He told me. I went out and bought every Tony Rice album available right then and there. Saw his live show in Ann Arbor, MI in 1993. Fantastic! Mesmerizing. No one even comes close!
I see it, I hear it, I try and understand, but his gifts are beyond my understanding. The velvety picking that flows like water is masterful. I am in awe.
@@clayallen4354 Marvel of the Ages. And those suspended chords, He says he took them from Debussy. How many bluegrassers actually listen to Debussy? Well, probably a lot more these days.
As I understand it, Tony first played this D-28 when he was 9 years old. It had a crazy high action and had been horrendously modified and missed treated. The horrible treatment would continue for years before Tony obtained possession of it and started to restore the instrument. But, after Tony got her back in decent shape. A tropical storm hit the Florida town he was living in and his house was flooded resulting in this Martin winding up under water. So the restoration process had to start all over again. But Tony never gave up on his old Martin
greekflatpicker I agree, I truly enjoy your guys videos. Been playing guitar religiously starting to really get it with the flatpicking I love it keep the videos coming you guys are great thank you Robert
I tear up every time I hear this. It is too perfect…like it blows my music fuse and I don’t know what to do with myself. This song is goosebumps and smiles, mixed with nostalgia and love, and I thank god we were blessed with Tony’s absolute angelic voice and godly skill.
Man same here , I have been playing music my whole life and from multigenerational musical family and this performance he did for an instructional video just “short circuits” my brain haha - it is unbelievable on so many levels ! RIP Tony
Like the cross between a guitar, banjo, mandolin, little piano, and someone picking the dirt off a diamond they found. Got the squiggle of the thumb and index finger, cutting the air and the notes thin and in order. Doesn't even move any muscles I can see but his mouth, fingers, wrists, and blinking his eyes so we can be sure he's not hooked to the wall. Norman Blake and this minister sure help us all in our playing. 64 years old, playing-learning since 17, just had a 4000lb press smash my right forefinger. Keep going people. I will too. Enjoy yourself and sing to your loved ones and friends.
Rich- The bells of Rhymney have chimed once if not ever; be in our sleeves and our capillaries that rare combination of fruit bearing ice cream, and the Nalley’s chili that propels each of us in most sacred events.
So much to this. I’ve heard other versions of this played by Cris Eldridge, Billy Strings, Trey Hensley. All fantastic players. This version of Tony’s is very complicated. They say the right hand is everything and anybody can learn the left. Not on this one. Some of the runs are no joke especially the g chord run with his middle finger at the beginning. Unbelievable. Then you have cross picking and alternate picking, sweep picking. Again utterly masterful. I tried three months working on just the intro before the first verse. Started out .25 speed then after a month .50 speed. I know people three times as good as me and they all said it is so complex. They got it up to .75 speed and couldn’t get it full speed. Tony rest well son, you are truly the GOAT.
He never picks the high E string except at 1:21 and 3:13. What a master Tony was. It doesn’t even sound like strings, just rolling sounds of bittersweet joy.
For the first time in a while I searched "Tony Rice" on here. I didn't know he passed. What a sad day for music, though music was all the better for Tony making it. RIP Mr. Rice.
Thank you RU-vid for allowing the world to see this... I always get a kick out of Tony, I remember seeing him 20 years ago and always thought the world of Him..
One thing I hate is discovering a new artist (well new to me) and then discovering the guy has already passed and I will never get to see him. RIP Tony.
My favorite version of this song. Tony brings class to the music and he's got the smoothest right hand in the business. Couldn't play or sing this any better than Tony does here.
I’m a music lover and guitarist and i like every kind of music there’s is good in every genre when you search but Tony Rice is my favourite and the first on my list guitarist i have absolutely no doubt about it. Everything he has done is fantastic . He was the master of bluegrass but not only, he mixed bluegrass with jazz that resulted in bluejazz lol . Guitar mastery , there was something so special in his tone and playing . He found so much of space in a mesure even at top speed and not to forget his beautiful voice . Rip Tony Rice
Been working on this song off and on for decades and I'm no where near this master piece of tone, taste and vocal brilliance. It is hard as the dickens to get this song up to speed as smoothly as Tony. I wish you well my friend, I know you're hurtin.
@samuraiguitarist brought me here - this is seriously good picking! Never heard of Tony Rice until today and have come to find he's passed away, but I'm going to be checking out more of his music.
I only heard his stuff with Garcia and Grisman. Used to play "Not For Kids Only" for my son when he was a baby. The Pizza Tapes is another good one, if you're interested. Rice is def underappreciated but I'm glad Samurai made that video.
It’s amazing to watch the very best guitarists as they make the highly complex look so simple. Tony was the best, period. This is masterclass. He’s so missed.
Thank you Tony Rice! i picked up a guitar and learned how to play after i was so inspired from listening to your Manzanita album. I now play guitar in a old timey bluegrass band!
Tony is my favorite guitar player. I've listened to this song so many times this week. Really hope that he gets better and can play again soon. Watching this and then his acceptance speech into the IBMA hall of fame brings tears to my eyes.
Tony--i have listened to this version about a million times and as an old picker with arthritis you always make me smile but apart from your ability you always seem to be a person that you would call a friend Thank you nova scotia canada we love you
Faith ethnicity skin colour don't matter. When you hear a song like this it hits you're heart like railroad train. All you can do is cry in tears of joy and be glad you're alive and human
I watched this VHS so many times growing up and tried to learn it. So much joy. Even though he’s on Church Street with the blues. Grateful for my dad who let me watch (and probably wear out) his VHS tape
Mr. Rice is certainly a great example for all young players that its not just the number of notes you play, but how you convey feeling through those notes.
[Verse 1] Well I've been hangin' out of town, Lord, in that low down rain Watchin' good time Charlie Francis drivin' me insane Up on shady Charlotte Street, Lord, the green lights look red I wish I's back home on the farm, Lord, in my feather bed [Chorus] And I got myself a rockin' chair To see if I could lose These thin dime, hard time Hell on Church Street blues [Verse 2] I found myself a picker friend who's read yesterday's news I folded up page twenty-one and stuck it in my shoes I gave me a nickel to the poor, my good turn for the day I folded up my own billfold, threw it far away [Chorus] And I got myself a rockin' chair To see if I could lose These thin dime, hard time Hell on Church Street blues [Verse 3] Well, I wish I had some guitar strings, Old Black Diamond brand I'd string up this old Martin box and go and join some band But I guess I'm gonna stay right here, just pick and sing a while Try to make me a little change and give them folks a smile [Chorus] And I got myself a rockin' chair To see if I could lose These thin dime, hard time Hell on Church Street blues [Final Repeat of Chorus] And I got myself a rockin' chair To see if I could lose These thin dime, hard time Hell on Church Street blues
This is a masterclass in cross picking. Like the rest of the comments here I have worked on this one at the slowest speed and am only 1/2 into it at half speed. One of the most insanely hard tunes I’ve ever tried to learn.
I was raised on Stanley Brothers music and thought no body could beat Bill Napier or George Shuffler but in 1979 I heard Tony Rice and had to practically start all over on the way I approached guitar playing, he was just so smooth and had a tone unmatched.
@@craigjcowan Ah yes but we have that enemy of ours called time and old age as I have been playing for some 35 years and my joints are starting to hurt, but no worries since this final enemy death will be done away with provided that my current actions in life does not penalize me, then and only then I can play any instrument I want to even designing some that have not been invented yet, and I will make a guitar after 1,000's of them, and make one that can not be improved upon.
Kenney- It has once been said and neither twice denied, for the kingdom of conflagration is in our midst! Bark, you dogs of Sistine implantation. Snap the jowls of chrome and silicone, for deliverance is between those that sooner give back; than others who stand fast through stubborn inheritance. Rather, be as the garfish, gloaming, taciturn, incomplacent. We are from the tribe of Jesco, and no other name shall be delivered!
That wink at the end of the third verse is seriously one of the most comforting things I've ever seen. The song is amazing, sure, that speaks for itself, but dang... the humanity in that simple wink would crack any cold heart wide open.
Tony Rice has got to be one of my favourite acoustic players ever. His style of playing blends flatpicking lines and bass chord rhythm work almost seamlessly into one. Also his choice of chord voicings are beautiful, he doesn’t really need to sing his playing speaks for itself. There’s a lot of good bluegrass guitarists out there but Tony’s style is a signature all to his own.
Danny Irmscher Unfortunately we don't think Tony is ever going to get better. I waited (didn't mind the wait) 6 months for an autographed autobiography and was told by the publisher this would be one of his last to sign.
+Live Holy a photo was posted on Facebook from a concert a week back in Asheville North Carolina. He's with his buddy Dave Grisman. A skeleton is about right, sadly.
