By 1977, Tony Rice had already established a distinct voice within bluegrass. His guitar playing—precise, fluid, and rhythmically grounded—drew from the tradition while introducing a broader musical vocabulary. His self-titled third album arrived at a moment when that approach was beginning to take clearer shape.
Originally released in 1977, Tony Rice brought together a group of musicians working at a similar edge of the genre. Featuring collaborators including David Grisman, J.D. Crowe, and Jerry Douglas, the album moves between traditional material and contemporary compositions, balancing established forms with a more open, ensemble-driven sound.
The album returns June 5, 2026, newly remastered from the original tapes. It will be available on vinyl for the first time in over 40 years, with all-analog (AAA) lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and packaging that replicates the original 1977 jacket. The remastered release will also be available across digital platforms in standard and hi-res audio. Rice’s recording of “Banks of the Ohio” is available to stream now.
→ PRE-ORDER TONY RICE
BETWEEN TRADITION AND EXPANSION
In the mid-1970s, Rice’s work moved between two key settings. With J.D. Crowe & The New South, he was part of a group that helped modernize bluegrass while staying close to its core structure. Around the same time, his collaboration with David Grisman introduced a wider range of influences, including jazz and classical elements.
Tony Rice sits between those worlds. The repertoire reflects that balance—drawing from bluegrass standards alongside newer compositions, and placing equal weight on arrangement and interaction between players.
IN THE STUDIO
The album’s personnel reflects Rice’s immediate musical circle. Grisman appears on mandolin, with Crowe on banjo and Douglas on dobro, joined by Darol Anger on fiddle and Todd Phillips on bass, among others.
The sessions emphasize ensemble playing over individual display. The arrangements remain structured but allow space for variation in phrasing and timing, giving the record a sense of movement without departing from its acoustic foundation.
LISTENING NOTES
- “Banks of the Ohio” — A traditional ballad, delivered with a steady vocal approach and measured accompaniment.
- “Mr. Engineer” — A bluegrass standard shaped by tight ensemble interplay and rhythmic clarity.
- “Rattlesnake” — Written by David Grisman, reflecting the broader musical influences surrounding the session.
- “Hills of Roane County” — Rooted in traditional repertoire, with subtle shifts in pacing and dynamics.
- “Plastic Banana” — A contemporary composition that reflects the album’s expanded musical range.
WHAT ENDURES
The album documents that moment through a group of musicians working within the form while extending it. More than 40 years on, it remains closely tied to a moment when bluegrass began to widen its scope—without losing its center.
Follow @CraftRecordings for more releases, stories, and moments from across the catalog.