Skaggs & Rice
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 withRalph Stanley's traditional Clinch Mountain Boys, retired at age 19, returned as part of J.D. Crowe's groundbreakingNew South, graduated to his ownBoone Creek, and done a tour of duty inEmmylou 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 withDavid Grismanand 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