Search - Tony Rice :: Night Flyer: The Singer Songwriter Collection

Tony Rice as a serious folksinger of heartfelt songs

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 08/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Singer-songwriters are oft maligned. Perhaps it's because there are so many guitar-bangers out there singing with tedium about their personal relationships and experiences that none of us really care about. And then there are guys like Tony Rice who have built a signature sound around masterful guitar, comfortable vocals, provocative lyrics, and intriguing storytelling. The title cut on "Night Flyer" comes from a John Mayall blues album, and Tony Rice also covers fascinating material from the likes of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ian Tyson, Bob Franke, Norman Blake, Phil Ochs, Tom Waits, John Starling and of course Bob Dylan. The majority are from Tony's previously-recorded albums. He takes songs from successful singer-songwriters in their own right and then arranges them to blend with his own dynamic instrumentation and vocals to fully tap their sensitivity and emotional qualities. One of the three previously unreleased tracks, "Never Meant to Be" is Tony's own composition that captures the sadness and anger felt after the breakup of a long-term marriage. Another of the three, "About Love," comes from Larry Rice's pen and, like the other, features harmony vocals of Kathy Chiavola and Jimmy Gaudreau. Some cuts feature minimal or laid-back harmony vocals, but don't expect a copious amount of that on this singer-songwriter material. It's also not banjo-centric bluegrass, and Bela Fleck's five-string only appears at track 16, Jerry Reed's "Likes of Me." Instead, this release reinforces Rice's reputation as a serious folksinger of heartfelt songs, and the album closes with the third previously unreleased cut -- Tony singing Tom Waits' "Pony" accompanied only by Jon Carroll's piano. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"

A super collection!

AF97MSC | USAF Academy, Colorado | 08/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many newer fans of Tony Rice are familiar with his guitar playing. This collection brings to the forefront his wonderful voice. Of note for me was the depth of "John WB", written by Mary Chapin Carpenter. On the other end of the spectrum is "All the Way to Texas", simplicity, and equal delivery in Tony's voice and hands. A superberb collection. Would enjoy a DVD collection of this era's material as well."

Great all-vocal set from guitarist Tony Rice

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 07/31/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A nice collection of modern folk tunes recorded over the years by bluegrass guitar demigod Tony Rice. I find his voice to be a singular joy -- it is one of my favorite in the genre -- and since Rice has been unable to sing professionally for several years due to a condition known as dysphonia, it is even that much sweeter to hear an entire album's worth of vocal material from his back catalogue. Even if he does include the dreaded soprano saxophone on a tune or two. This gathers songs by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bob Dylan, Bob Franke, Joni Mitchell, Mickey Newbury, James Taylor, Ian Tyson and others. It also includes original tunes from Rice himself, and one by his brother Larry, with three tunes that have been previously unreleased (such as Tony Rice's superb "Never Meant To Be," which opens the album.)



Rounder also has issued a separate CD's worth of Rice covering the music of Gordon Lightfoot; this disc is the perfect companion to that one, and a welcome addition to the Tony Rice canon. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Country Music Guide)"