Is it
jazz? Is it
bluegrass? Is it early
new age? At the time of
Backwaters' release,
Rounder Records was lumping it into a category called "new acoustic music." Call it whatever you choose, this is excellent music, impeccably played by a group of guys who are all virtuosos on their respective instruments. Even the most die-hard
jazz cop would appreciate the playing, but one needn't be a critic to simply enjoy this collection.
Tony Rice may be the finest acoustic guitar picker on the planet, and he also has written some beautiful pieces for this recording. Accompanied by
Fred Carpenter and
Richard Greene on violins,
John Reischman on mandolin, with support from
Todd Phillips on standup bass and brother
Wyatt Rice on rhythm guitar,
Rice takes his music to a whole new place. Every note sounds right, and each member of the ensemble plays with exceptional taste and class.
Dave Grusin's
"A Child Is Born" is absolutely gorgeous, and the quintet's
bluegrass-paced take on
"My Favourite Things" is an obvious, but reinvigorating, string-picker's nod to
John Coltrane.
"On Green Dolphin Street" is reminiscent of
Stephane Grapelli and
Django Reinhardt on their
Hot Club of France recordings. After this release,
Rice returned to more traditional-sounding
folk and
bluegrass music, but
Backwaters is his masterpiece. So, what label can you place on this genre-defying music? How about
Rice's own term, "spacegrass." ~ Jim Newsom
