Tony Rice’s groundbreaking 1982 album Backwaters didn’t just expand bluegrass—it created a new frontier. Dubbed “spacegrass,” Backwaters fuses rapid-fire flatpicking with jazz improvisation, touches of classical nuance, and even hints of prog-rock, all on acoustic instrumentation. Now, on September 12, this genre-defining record gets its debut vinyl reissue—cut for the very first time from the original analog tapes (the original ’82 pressing was mastered from a digital mix) to restore every ounce of its warmth and dynamic depth.
PRESSING DETAILS
-
(AAA) Lacquers cut from original masters by Kevin Gray at Cohearant Audio
- Pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing
Can’t wait until September? The remastered album is also dropping on digital platforms (including in hi-res) beginning June 27.
TONY RICE’S JOURNEY INTO SPACEGRASS
One of the most revered names in bluegrass, Tony Rice (1951–2020) shaped the genre throughout his career, and his distinctive guitar touch influenced countless others. Born in Virginia and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Rice launched his career in Louisville, KY, as lead vocalist and guitarist of J.D. Crowe’s legendary group The New South. In the mid-’70s—shortly after their self-titled bestseller featuring fellow bluegrass icons Jerry Douglas and Ricky Skaggs—Rice returned to California to join David Grisman’s esteemed quintet.
Working with Grisman opened Rice’s ears to new possibilities. He soaked up jazz phrasing, classical sensibilities, and other musical ideas, all while sharpening his already formidable guitar technique. By the time he formed The Tony Rice Unit around 1980, Rice was ready to blend those influences into something entirely fresh.
Those explorations informed his projects at the turn of the ’80s—particularly those with his group, The Tony Rice Unit. On Backwaters, Rice and his handpicked bandmates—his brother Wyatt Rice on rhythm guitar, John Reischman on mandolin, Todd Phillips on bass, and both Fred Carpenter and Richard Greene sharing violin duties—set out to stretch acoustic music’s limits. They dubbed this adventurous style “spacegrass,” loose shorthand for extended improvisations layered over jazz chords, classical-inspired passages, and even prog-rock–tinged moments—all on traditional bluegrass instruments.
Decades later, Backwaters still stands as a shining example of the “new acoustic music” movement. Its spirit of exploration—rooted in Rice’s own willingness to take risks—helped redefine what bluegrass could be.
LISTENING NOTES:
- “Backwaters” (Original) - This 32-measure Tony Rice original shows both sides of the “spacegrass" coin, shifting from an open, jazzy feel to a steady bluegrass groove on the bridge-- the perfect title track for this collection of exploratory music.
- “Mobius Mambo” (Original) - In spite of the song’s title, “Mobius Mambo” has an airy bossa nova groove, with strong solos from Rice and from mandolinist John Reischman, whose comping has a piano-like quality.
- “My Favourite Things” (Rodgers & Hammerstein) - Using saxophonist John Coltrane’s interpretation of this American Songbook standard as a springboard, Rice and company take “My Favourite Things” to a place that the composers might not have imagined—it is a swinging delight.
- “On Green Dolphin Street” (Bronislaw Kaper) - This jazz standard is given a treatment that might remind the listener of the Hot Club of France recordings made by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli. Fred Carpenter and Richard Greene are both featured on violins.
- “Just Some Bar in the French Quarters” (Original) - This wistful Tony Rice original shows his lyrical side, as each musician takes his time with solos that are virtuosic in their economy. Tony was noted for his impossibly in-the-pocket fast picking, but here his technique is all in the service of the melancholic mood.
KEEP THE STORY SPINNING
Follow @CraftRecordings for deep dives and more as we count down to release day.
