Ricky Skaggs & Tony Rice – The Essential Old-Time Country Duet Recordings

Originally released in 1980, this album presents a meeting of two masters of American acoustic roots music. Ricky Scaggs and Tony Rice have played with a veritable Who's-Who (Emmylou Harris, Vassar Clements, etc.) of country, and each have extensive and varied careers of their own; but that's not why this disc warrants a listen.

SKAGGS & RICE is a gem of classic, rarely heard traditional country duets, with touches of gospel and bluegrass--just vocals, guitar and mandolin. Ricky Scaggs & Tony Rice sing in earnest close harmony, evoking the Brothers Louvin, Delmore, and Everly. The recording has a spare quality that gives this set a timeless feel. There are no fancy or showy displays of gee-whiz instrumental wizardry--just two friends playing traditional music with quiet dignity and heartfelt simplicity.

Track Listing:
1. Bury Me Beneath The Weeping Willow - 2:42 2. Mansions For Me - 3:41 3. There's More Pretty Girls Than One - 3:30 4. Memories Of Mother And Dad - 2:29 5. Where The Soul Of Man Never Dies - 2:34 6. Talk About Suffering Here Below - 2:08 7. Will The Roses Bloom - 2:49 8. Tennessee Blues - 1:48 9. The Old Crossroads - 2:42 10. Have You Someone In Heaven Awaiting - 2:55

Personnel:
Ricky Skaggs (vocals, mandolin) , Tony Rice (vocals, guitar).

Reviews:

1. AllMusic - Thom Owens
Skaggs & Rice is a lovely duet album between Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice. The two musicians run through a number of bluegrass classics, performing them in a spare, simple old-timey style, backed only by their guitar and mandolin. Not only are the performances breathtaking, but so are the song selections -- including Bill Monroe classics like "Mansions for Me" and "Tennessee Blues" as well as other standards like "Talk About Suffering" and "Have You Someone (In Heaven Awaiting)."