Tony Rice - California Autumn

Tony Rice was the most influential and emulated Bluegrass guitarist ever. He established the gold standard for both lead and rhythm playing, merging a deep appreciation for tradition with impactful innovation. His untimely passing on Christmas day, 2020 affords a review of his magnificent catalog, and this gem from his earliest days is both a fond, revealing look back and a roadmap for what lay ahead during a formative period for the legendary guitarist and singer. California Autumn was Tony's first serious solo record, produced by the Seldom Scene's John Starling and mixed by the legendary George Massenberg. It was momentous for several reasons. It was the occasion of the initial meeting and first recordings of two of the brightest lights of Bluegrass's new generation: Tony and Ricky Skaggs; and it marked the first of Tony's many legendary recordings with a young Jerry Douglas.

The material included seven instrumentals that recalled the playing of Tony's mentor, the great Clarence White, who had tragically died the year before. The rest featured Tony's plaintive, powerful baritone lead vocals�pitch-perfect and soulful in their own compelling way. This record is a startling reminder of just how great a vocalist Tony was in his prime, something that may surprise younger listeners who never got to hear him sing live. Remastered from the original analog tapes, this reissue of California Autumn has been updated with new packaging and graphics. It includes liner notes penned by Blue Highway front man and noted Tony Rice authority Tim Stafford and contains a number of never-before-seen photos of Tony from his earliest days as a professional musician.