Tony Rice Josh Williams Church Street Blues 2009

[ringmaster5252]

It's just kiing of sad seeing this, without Tony singing it. He had one of the greatest voices ever.

[IStoleYourPotatoes]

Norman Blake plays and sings this with more soul than anyone.

[gottalovebluegrass]

Tony can play 10,000 tunes and he rarely makes a mistake. Allison Kruass has gone on record saying Tony is the greatest guitar player ever. I would agree. No disrespect to Josh Williams. I think Josh would agree with Allison. His age has more to do with his soulful playing than any lack of perfection on picking. Love Tony's early singing tunes. He had soul there too. He is the man.

blue mountain mule . com

[bnjopkr05]

Nice video folks,thank you.....Glen

[Vapor40]

One thing Tony can still do is capture the moment in song. The clams just add to the character of the tune.  It appears more approachable and organic. To me the magic is intact. Like and old pair of faded blue jeans.

[bigfurlan]

BEAUTIFUL GUITAR PLAYING !

[dukeofearlbanjo]

Was this in Argyle, TX a few years back?

[gwalton1]

@dukeofearlbanjo This was at a private performance.  Thanks for asking.

[Famouschase20]

@dukeofearlbanjo Yes, this was at Argyle. I know because I played mandolin in this workshop for a few songs.

@jocwalk Tony was botching licks because we were playing around 2 mics with no monitors in a sufficatingly hot room of around 65 people that was only meant to hold around 40 people.

[OleBlues]

Born June 8, 1951........

[bluegrasskarr]

I really like the way Josh shows

Tony Rice The Respect he deserves. Two great artist on the same stage

[spitzmanndm]

pouahhh!!!.. organic combination, Mr rice, uses vraisemblablent,(i don't know that word in english), tortoise shell,and mr williams who deserve in his best singing for us all...ones more,they give us flatpickers a reason to hold on..Thank you so much,P

[OrinWalker]

That must be a kick for Josh. Not only playing with his hero, but also being the latest lead singer for the Tony Rice Unit. Way to go guys!

[OleBlues]

2 of the best pickers in Bluegrass. It gets no better than this :) What a Blessing to hear them together...........

[blugras32]

Geez, it turns my stomach to hear so many people talk about superstars that can't perform in their later years like they did in their younger ones. I'll guarantee that none of you back-biters could ever play like Rice (Stanley, Monroe, etc)..or even come close unless you watched his instruction videos or learned the tablature. But you're quick to say 'he can't play like he used to" when you should be saying "What a legend" or "I would love to be able to perform like that when I'm close to 60".

[corbett17]

Well said blugras32, well said!

[moorebluegrass]

One of our favorites, Classic!! The Moore Brothers, Jacob & Isaac

[BlindTom61]

Interesting hearing that old Martin through a plain SM58. Tony will always be "the Man" for me when it comesto pickin' a Martin.

[MrJTpicker]

Ohh how I wish I was there for that!

[jocwalk]

Honestly, I know I'm going to get ripped for this but Josh Williams plays this a lot cleaner than Tony Rice does now. If you listen, Tony botches more than a few licks in this. I saw Josh do this live at The Station Inn and it was utterly immaculate, just like Tony used to play it. If you listen to Tony's original version of this, Tony has definitely lost some of that Tony Rice magic.

[gwalton1]

Everybody's entitled to their opinion and you may be right. I just wish I was that lousy.

[jocwalk]

I never said or even implied that Tony was or had become "lousy." On the contrary, he's still a very good guitarist. However, if you compare this to the Youtube video of Tony playing this from his instructional video, it's clear that Tony has slipped a bit. That said, no one stays on top of his game forever. I've heard that Tony has had some physical problems with his hands which would account for that. He's still better than 90% of the guitarists out there.

[zapletto45]

@gwalton1 that my friend, is very true

[flatpikinguitar]

Yeah he does but hes like 67. it kinda scares me to listen to him talk now.

[gwalton1]

Tony Rice is 55-57 years old.

[coleyman1]

@gwalton1 Rice will turn 60 on the 8th of June, this year 2011.. 

[jocwalk]

He turned 58 in June 2009 but he definitely looks and sounds like he's well into his 60's.

[herringbone28]

I think it could be the fact that Tony may not be playing this song everyday....maybe an impromptu request. As you can tell, the last time he runs the entire solo it's as near perfect as you can get. I suppose that with all the notes, phrases and lines that run through his mind on any given show, it would be hard to recall just how you played a given solo on album.

[unclebobunclebob]

@jocwalk hey man, it's Tony...TONY...a little respect and a little less nit-picking and just a LITTLE allowance for age for a legendary picker.

[jocwalk]

@unclebobunclebob There's no disrespect at all. Tony is one of the greatest, most influential guitarists of all time but no one stays on top of his game forever especially given that Tony has had quite a few health problems over the last few years. Is Early Scruggs the banjo picker he once was? Of course not but is he a legend who changed banjo playing forever? Absolutely.

[thatsthesameoldshit]

@unclebobunclebob jocwalk is always an asshole saying who's the best or who's lost their magic or some shit like that.

[jocwalk]

@thatsthesameoldshit First, very classy youtube name and post. Second, when I saw this video, I had just seen Josh Williams play the song a couple of weeks before. How about this: Ooo, ah, Tony Rice is the greatest ever and has only gotten better with age, like a fine wine. Happy now?

[loggyness]

@jocwalk I talk to Tony from time to time, and as much as he doesn't care any more, I think the man has set amazing standards, I do agree that he has lost his touch, but it doesn't matter any more, the man has nothing else left to prove, plus he is REALLY burned out on music.

[jocwalk]

@loggyness This is the thing whenever anyone makes a comment about a legendary performer in anything. Joe Montana and Troy Aikman were great QB's but were heading downhill fast when they left football. Chet Atkins was in incredible guitarist but his failing health really took its toll as he got older. Some folks act like we're not supposed to notice these things or that if we do, even mentioning it is almost blasphemy.

[brandonch25]

@jocwalk he's getting older man what do you expect

[SuperNotSerious]

@jocwalk Most likely true, but I doubt Josh could play it now as well as Tony did at his best. I don't think anyone can play it that well. Also, Josh's vocals just aren't much. On key sure, but it doesn't haven't character, something truly memorable about it, y'know?

[chrchy]

@jocwalk He's older now. Tony Rice doesn't have ANYTHING to prove. Just seeing you would say that shows me you don't know much about Bluegrass.

[mecsfudge]

I really miss hearing Tony sing... It's hard to listen to others sing the songs that he did so well. What a gifted musician.

[saullouis]

Yes

I think he had been the best bluegrass singer and picker.

[gwalton1]

Yes it is. I was sitting just right there. It was something to see. His capo is a McKinley. They are only made by Elliot these days. Tony Rice is a nice fellow and will talk with the folks.

[mdlorenz]

a classic.

[bluegrassman776]

josh seem a little well , you guys can tell right. i mean he knows what key tony rice is going to play church street blues in E flat

[gwalton1]

Tony has capoed the second fret and is playing from a "C" configuration, so that would make the key "D". It was a joke between the two before the song began. No E-flat.

[489177]

Thank you for sharing.