The Tony Rice Unit - Blue Railroad Train

[marqy007]

....top drawer for sure....!

[AertPietersz]

Sam Bush's solo is on point

[undergroundrailway]

my alltime favorite is this song - well done !

[thepurplecrystalz]

Tony rice is the best.

[lsailor]

The Tony Rice Unit will be playing Island in the Mountains Fest on Blannahassett Island in Marshall, NC on 08-01-2011

Google Island in the Mountains Fest and come join us on the island.

[flatop59]

Best flatpicker on the planet!!!!!!!!!!!

[sclark5160]

Fantastic bluegrass quintet!!

[sometimescharlie]

tony=bamf

[strawman8]

Awesome musicians all.Tony Rice is a great guitar picker as well as other strings and has a wonderful soundin guitar and great vocals in this tune. Thanks for the post.

[emaclynch]

dude you had hair once.

[rocmaven]

Tony rice Unit comes to The Watseka theatre Watseka Illinois on Saturday May 7, 2011.

[The72137able]

@rocmaven

WOW, would I love to be there tomorrow but this venue is the next best thing and I am grateful for it.

[bigmrclean]

who or what is a eric johnson

[johntemple01]

The original Tony Rice Unit lineup is pure gold!

[farbrorblo]

Ive never seen anyone look as kind as sam bush always does

[fiddlinang]

Mark O'Connor, you rule!!!

[nothingbutmuzik]

This band is just great! By the way, the Bass player looks like Kurt Rosenwinkel!!

[bluegrallis]

Probably the most talent I have ever seen on one stage all at the same time.

[greekmusicman]

Man, Toni Rice has been playing since he was in the womb

[urbanbluegrass]

Jerry Douglas!

[cdvicious]

tony rice rice is o goodd that even my girlfriend want to mary him!

[lgomez222]

Fantastic band!!!

[lgomez222]

What a band!!!!!

[synesthesia67]

super band...

[shademonger13]

this is REAL country music. bluegrass lives.

[bluegrasssingingman]

@shademonger13 Its not country. To even suggest the word country is a insult. It is Bluegrass,and Mountain Music is not country.

[shademonger13]

@bluegrasssingingman country is american roots music man..... now country is defined as brad paisley and blake shelton and all those posers but country music is just old fashioned roots music, and bluegrass is a style of roots music.

[bluegrasssingingman]

@shademonger13 Bluegrass is not country music. Country Music is not American Roots. The Settlers that settled in the App.Mountains with their music. Their music combined formed the music you know as Mountain Music.Then from Mountain Music Bill Monroe created Bluegrass. The first American music was born. Which is Bluegrass American Roots. Then country ,blues ,jazz music was born. Then rock and so on. Bluegrass is not Country, Country is part of American music, but is not The American Roots.

[oldcremona]

Hartford seems like he may have had something to smoke before this was taped.

[plunka5]

@oldcremona Hartford had cancer for the longest time, many fans did not know this, he carried on as if nothing was wrong. He had his glitches, as we all do, but was one of the finest humans I've ever met on this planet. His achievements and contributions are countless. Great video with some very talented people on that stage. Wish John Hartford was still here on earth spreading his works.

[retropicker]

@oldcremona - that whole band, lol.

[TheFreemanuk]

awsome x

funny !!!!

if you like roots music check out my vibe all feedback welcome thanks

Mr Hatz

[bgrjabrindo]

Toni Rice blue grass is way up there with Ricky Skaggs's kentucky thunder and Del Mc coury band,they are the best in the business.

[bluegrasssingingman]

@bgrjabrindo Tony Rice is far past Them. They are some of the best,but Tony Rice is the Greatest Guitar player to ever pick up a Guitar. Tony Rice sits next to MR. Bill Monroe and Mr.Earl Shrugs.

[bgrjabrindo]

@bluegrasssingingman To say that Tony Rice is the greatest,well with all respect,I disagree,I mean the man is damn good,besides,show me one entertainer that wears a crackerjack ring on his left hand and two pens pinned on his jacket[check out Tony's "freebornman"]he's uniqe,tthe dude is cool.Many great guitarists considder Eric Johnson to be the best in the business today,I have to agree on that,keep in mind what kind of favorite guitar music you prefer.

[bluegrasssingingman]

@bgrjabrindo Eric Johnson LOL He's very good one of the top 100 greats, but he's no Tony Rice. Blues don't have the same skills as Bluegrass,and for your comments shows you can't play Bluegrass. I like how people like you makes comments, and never tried the music your saying is not as hard as others. Some try Bluegrass and see the skills it takes. Find out they have not the time it takes to learn . They find out it's just to hard . They put others above to hide their skills.

[bgrjabrindo]

@bluegrasssingingman I get it,Johnson is no Rice but Rice is no Johnson either,its just different music to begin with,and right on,bluegrass is not easy at all,admittedly I indeed tried and yes gave up but then guys like Rice,Johnson,Chet Atkins and other greats are born with so much talent if we can play like them we be all on youtube and I never said I dislike Rice,I would love to see him play if he ever tours the St.Louis area,take care bluegrasssingingman.

[HillbillyJ]

@bluegrasssingingman Im a bluegrass musician and Tony Rice lover myself, but if you are implying that Eric Johnson is a lesser guitarist than Tony Rice, its seems you've never tried to play Eric's stuff.

[unclebobunclebob]

@bluegrasssingingman Earl Shrugs? I bet you're kidding.

[Mako235]

I wish people like these guys would tour the country showing us amateurs how to play bluegrass instruments, maybe I could figure out my mandolin lol.

[ezekieloak]

Bluegrass is about freedom. Like Jazz, it is one of the few true American art forms. Country music is old hat and international because it is nothing more than propaganda.

But sometimes Western can also be palatable to true patriots.

[coleyman1]

What? What did you just say? Can you play or have any musical background or know any musical history? Other than owning one of those Ipods, how often do you listen to real live music? That statement about country music is total bull and I don't think you will find anyone who even understands what the "Western" line means. What a dip you must be! Do a little research on the orgins of Bluegrass, Country, and Western music and you will find that they all have distinct beginings and followings.

[ezekieloak]

Yeah, I guess you are right. About country music, I mean. I suppose there are some who play the real deal and maybe it is, well... an art. Possible. I am no expert on it. But I was talking about those politicized bastardizations that I am sure you are also quite familiar with. And you have to admit they are raw, tasteless propaganda. Otherwise, I don't have an ipod.

[coleyman1]

In the business they call those "politicized bastardizations" Bubble Gum Country! Not country,but really no place else to play that stuff! It's not country,it's not pop or rock,so they fiddle it up and play it on "Country Stations". Sorry about the "dip" line, but I get upset when men like Acuff, Jimmy Rogers, Doc Watson, Hank Williams, E.T., Hank Snow, and on and on and on, get crapped on by the "bubble gum country" entertainers of today.Get an Ipod and put some real country on it, it's good.

[ezekieloak]

Cheers. I'll look into it.  But wasn't E.T. a cute little alien?

[coleyman1]

The would be Mr. Tubbs, thank you... So now let's all Waltz Across Texas!!

[fgrimwood]

Great performers, we are watching and hearing the very best.

[waterdog226]

Ummh umh good!

[jdbanjo3]

tony is THE MAN!!!!

[derektarwater]

You bet your ass its bluegrass. I just want to be in a string band.

[brotherbrubru]

Holy crap! What a line-up!

[allman21]

country sucks, bluegrass rocks. that is the difference.

[John55son]

THe difference between country and bluegrass is that bluegrass is country folk in overdrive.

[RapIsForGayPeople]

-where's the banjo for Christ's sake-

[williebrown01]

Funny name man and I agree. Where is the missing Mr. Crowe?

[fleaacoustic]

I agree micky

[Mickyfyn]

Bluegrass is Bluegrass - well played it's always awesome. Country has a thousand faces, one of them being Bluegrass!

[ex0ja]

What's the difference between country and blue grass? More high pitch picking?

[curtisclogston]

the way I see it, country is pop music with twang. it usually has drums and electric instruments (but not always). bluegrass is based on musical skill and involves lots of harmony, acoustic instruments, solos. Bluegrass is like folk on overdrive, country evolved from the same roots as bluegrass but took on a more pop approach. just listen to country then listen to bluegrass

[ex0ja]

Hey cheers for that, it was actually quite enlightening!

[williebrown01]

Ah......... but let us not forget about Honky Tonk.

Hank, Merle and Waylon are the real deal.

[fleaacoustic]

Bluegrass and Country are a world apart. Your a fool if you dont know that.

[wick2107]

Bluegrass has much more talented musicians. Country is basically the folk version of pop.

[SvenTheTerrible]

When people tell me they like country I just laugh at them. If only they knew.

[magickdana]

gotta love sam bush.

[irelephant]

The best of the best at a moment in time.

[whitleyjd09]

just me, or is his voice sound like it's starting to cut out here? sounds like he's straining, and he's not as smooth as he once was. you can tell the throat disease he has is starting to show through

[AlanAlan2001]

I used to listen to Bluegrass music and songs over short-wave radio from Kurdistan when I was a kid. I never thought one day I'll be visiting the country of origin of this great music genre. It's so native and genuine, reminds me of old classic Kurdish songs. They are so free spirited!

[harrylook]

that's folk music, man - it may sound a little different from place to place, but it all has the same soul. (God Bless Kurdistan, btw).

[googlygooglygooful]

@AlanAlan2001 Listen Alan this may be "our" music but it continues to astound us daily. And I and I am sure others would love to hear what is considered great Kurdish music. Any chance of posting some of that?

[cathygentle]

@googlygooglygooful You can just search this site for Classic Kurdish songs and you'll find many, although I doubt it if any are recorded with the same good quality as this clip here.

[oldcremona]

Hartford seems like he might be under the influence of stimulants...

Tory Rice should be as famous a Garth Brooks. He's a hell of a lot better musician...

[botulizer]

what year is this from? its great!

[poeta067]

Tony Rice, no doubt about it, the best acoustic guitarist in the world!!

[properjob]

I am truly embarrassed that I never heard of Tony Rice until today. I'll put that right now, I promise.

[Kograsmus]

I was just on my way posting the same thing as you.. this is awesome :O look at that skills :O

[1985jsn]

Tony Rice is the Chet Atkins of the bluegrass guitar. He picked up the guitar and truly mastered the instrument. He's an amazingly talented person.

[bluegrasssingingman]

@1985jsn Tony Rice the Master of Guitar period. Chet Atkins can't begin to do what Tony is doing.

[sambo295]

@1985jsn ^Chet Atkins is the Tony Rice of Country Guitar good sir.

[bLAStSuCaRTa]

@sambo295 NO ..chet is the chet atkins of country music ...first off this is celtic music [ do some learning about where this music comes from! ] and tony rice is the tony rice of fOLk/celtic [ bluegrass is a shitty nashville term created by those who wishED to hob knob with the hob knobs!!! , both different flat picking verses travis finger style picking....and both great at the same time....DIG IT!

[sambo295]

@bLAStSuCaRTa I Never said this was bluegrass dip shit... [ do some learning about shutting the fuck up! ] I'm not going to argue with a mentally retarded person, who can't tell there ass from a hole in the ground. Good day!

[koc1a0pipes]

Thats was awsome , thanks for posting that , like all the solo's

[wankatronic]

i feel like an idiot for not knowing Sam Bush used to play with Tony Rice. but god damn can they pick!

[bluegrassjeff]

This is my favorite version of this song!

[vicvod]

Grass, you gotta love it!

[ukesivousplait]

MERCY! Thanks for posting

[desmogger]

The SUPERPICKERS!!!! Hot Dang!!! I saw them all at the old Birchmere years ago Jesus what a Super Group!!!

[notbendable]

Damn! What a groovy mandolin solo! ...and Rice plays some cool backup during it too.

[mandohat]

tony is the best!

[jafubi]

wow what a line up thats amazing!!! plus hartford!!

[tb40ford]

The only one missing is MR JD crowe. Nothing but perfection here guys and gals.

Thanks for posting.

[jamesha175]

absolutely rippin, thanx for posting this!

[cc9fingers]

What is Mark doing now?

[Mar10Guitar]

playing jazz and classical stuff. he told me that bluegrass was to simple for him to play and that there weren't any bluegrass musicians good enough to keep up with him...hahahha....that's the God's honest truth though, he actually told me that. Pretty arrogant and rude if ya ask me.

[bluegrassgirl]

this is my jam! woo hoo

[thebigjazz]

SLAMgrass!!! awesome love that american sound...

[breakerzv]

the good old bluegrass ... of these days...

[ewhaddix]

The Jimmie Hendrix or Van Halen of Bluegrass guitar right there kids. This man innovated Bluegrass guitar as much as Earl innovated the Banjo. His micropick technique is flawless.

[JohnnyO100]

The man at his zenith..outstanding...just tight, wonderful grass....all the way. Tony is an icon..always will be.

[purplerocks72]

Tony, Where are you now? What you been up too?

[roselovr2004]

Sooo beautiful, thank you for this!

So good to hear his sweet voice on this song!

[Rinniard]

That is correct, Ronnie now plays primarily with Seldom Scene (and has for the past few years). HIs brother, Rickie Simpkins, who I am sure you all know, now plays with Emmy Lou Harris. Before this video Rickie and Ronnie both played with Sammy Shelor and Mark Newton in the Virginia Squires.

Sad about Tony's voice, it was incredible. Last the doc's told him he would have to go 2 years without saying a word for his voice to come back...

[adamschmalenberger]

killer line up. what a treat

[capitancriterio]

Greetings from argentina, amazing music.

Just amazing.

[therealroadstar]

Wow, what a power lineup! Tony is just sooo cool.

[Kevindad123]

Good thing we still have video's like this, so we can hear Tony's voice, and awsome guitar playing any time we want to

[hunterv41]

What a pro line-up this is. Can't beat this

ensemble.

[basserase]

Awesome. Sam Bush always looks like he loves being where ever he is. I'm not familiar with this bass player but he's just as awesome as the rest.

[guitarice]

Ronnie Simpson was Tony's regular bass player for many years starting in about 1990. I believe he performs now mostly with the Seldom Scene.

[gibbon2531]

i believe his name is Ronnie Simpkins

[guitarice]

You're right. Sorry about that. It is Ronnie Simpkins. A slip at the keyboard. I had everything correct except his name. Stupid me.

[adamschmalenberger]

what a great show. i wish it was still on. great line up of the masters

[oldcremona]

It just don't get any better.

[rudolfooo1]

Fine plaies Tony Rice unique guitarist!

[funability1]

Just a Thank You for posting this! Tony is Def Showing off his unreal grasp of Dynamics here..truly brilliant.

[flatpikinguitar]

tony rice isnt deaf, he did loose his singing voice though

[urfaceislolburn]

Lol, deaf.

[gnephin]

thinking of Doc Watson maybe?

[BATENKILL]

I LOVE YOU BLUEGRASS LIBARY!!!!

[BluegrassBassMan54]

Yeah Buddy!!! Big Daddy doing his thang.

[BATENKILL]

I mean LIBRARY!!!! did you hear how fast he played it?

[mdlorenz]

TOOOOONY!

[kjcon54]

It sure is nice to hear Tony singing again. He had one of the all time finest bluegrass voices until he lost his voice about twenty years ago.

Damn but I miss the American Music Shop.

[donnyaldridge]

O Connor's fiddle is sweetest sounding I have ever heard here!