Ah, old Rank Fakefield (if you have ever seen him talk, you would know why I butchered his name) ! He was the only person to ever, loudly, heckle any of the bands that I was in ( a Bluegrass outfit). This was at at Caffe Lena`s in Saratoga Springs , NY in the `90s. He thought he was being funny but the audience took it seriously ! He lives a few miles from me. A brilliant player despite his many "quirks" !
Surprisingly good. No originals just good straight ahead standards played very well. The album was recorded locally and it sounds very good, near mint condition and delightful SQ. I love finding these regional record labels and bands.
Been diggin Phil a lot lately Look out boys, the ladies are moving in on your turf. Unfortunate that Tony's voice and hands got messed up before he could make some albums with Sierra Hull. One of my first bluegrass experiences was jaw dropping amazement at how this old blind guy could play so well. On some of his older albums, of course, but this one's just more frosting on the cake. Tony Trishka was my original banjo hero, long before Bela and some others hit the scene.
Tony plays on her debut album “Secrets.” Sierra: “Tony Rice will forever be one of my biggest musical influences. The first album I ever heard of his was ‘Church Street Blues’. I remember trying to learn this song and endless others as a kid. I’m rusty now since I rarely play guitar, but it’s still one of my favorites to play around home. Hard to see in this video, but Tony signed this Rick Hayes Instruments guitar for me when I opened some shows for him years ago! I’ll forever cherish it! ” https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10157666624887942
Since he isn’t recording anymore, maybe Rounder could release a live box set. There certainly are lots of great quality soundboards out there. Maybe Grisman could do the same at Acoustic Disc.
Nothing but comp CD's from Rounder since Unit of Measure was originally released. There was an RSD of 0044 a couple years back but the label has essentially done nothing but cash in on whatever streaming royalties they earn from the catalog. I dare say they have made the business calculation they would rather rent the music to the fans than make money on a one time sale. I doubt Rounder has any of his board tapes to release. A live album or a comp of live songs would require some effort on Tony's part, the live stuff that has been released has come from others that had ownership of his live recordings. David, who has seemingly recorded everything can self produce with his label and the Hartford estate are the only live things that have been released. I highly doubt Tony had anything to do with any of that. It's pretty sad. By all accounts the financial situation isn't good and he's making no effort to work with what he has. Just keeping his website active and selling some merch would be something.
Church Street Blues? I just played it! The CD version has a bonus track, "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." It's essentially a solo album, with brother Wyatt on second guitar on four cuts.
The last time I was hoping to see Tony play, I can't remember, maybe 10-15 years ago?, in San Francisco, he backed out at the last minute and was replaced by Wyatt. No explanation given. Was disappointed of course, but it was the first and only time I've seen Wyatt, and he more than held his own. I really like Wyatt's solo album New Market Gap, but then I realized that sucker's already 30 years old, released in 1990!
My only orange, I have a few blue. I think that means a different pressing plant as there wasn’t a repress I’m familiar with. I’ve tried and I can’t really hear a difference in sound.