Late Bluegrass icon Tony Rice is having his 1983 album ‘Church Street Blues' reissued by Craft Recordings on 5th April 2024.
The long-out-of-print album features an eclectic selection of modern and traditional folk songs, including Norman Blake’s ‘Church Street Blues', Tom Paxton’s ‘Last Thing on My Mind' and Bob Dylan’s ‘One More Night'.
Available for pre-order now, ‘Church Street Blues' has been cut from the original master tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI. A limited edition transparent red pressing will also be available exclusively via Vinyl Me, Please. Additionally, the album will make its debut in stunning HD digital audio.
Tony Rice (1951 – 2020) shaped the sound of the genre during his lengthy career, while his distinctive touch on the guitar influenced countless others. Born in Virginia and raised in Los Angeles, Rice launched his career in Louisville, KY, where he became the lead vocalist and guitarist of J.D. Crowe’s legendary bluegrass group, The New South. In the mid-’70s, not long after the release of their self-titled bestseller (featuring Jerry Douglas and Ricky Skaggs), Rice returned to California to join David Grisman’s esteemed quintet. Working alongside the celebrated mandolinist, Rice broadened his musical palate – exploring jazz, classical and other styles – while honing his technique on the guitar.
‘Church Street Blues', Rice's fourth solo LP, found Rice interpreting some of his favourite folk songs. Recorded in Berkeley, CA, the album was an intimate affair, featuring the artist and his guitar – joined only by his brother, guitarist Wyatt Rice, on four of the 12 tracks. Upon its release in 1983 via Sugar Hill Records, ‘Church Street Blues' became an immediate fan-favourite, while today, it remains a classic title in Rice’s prolific discography.
‘Church Street Blues' tracklist (Vinyl):
Side A
1. Church Street Blues
2. Cattle In The Cane
3. Streets Of London
4. One More Night
5. The Gold Rush
6. Any Old Time
Side B
1. Orphan Annie
2. House Carpenter
3. Jerusalem Ridge
4. Last Thing On My Mind
5. Pride Of Man
‘Church Street Blues' tracklist (Hi-Res Digital):
1. Church Street Blues
2. Cattle In The Cane
3. Streets Of London
4. One More Night
5. The Gold Rush
6. Any Old Time
7. Orphan Annie
8. House Carpenter
9. Jerusalem Ridge
10. Last Thing On My Mind
11. Pride Of Man
