by Ken Dryden
This Tony Rice CD is a little different from his typical fare, as it focuses exclusively on old-time hymns and spirituals, all featuring his unique style of picking that can't be mistaken for anyone else but the incredible guitarist himself. Accompanied by David Johnson (who plays mandolin, banjo, viola, fiddle, harmonica, bass, and banjotar), drummer Tony Creasman, and either Tim Surrett or Ben Isaacs on bass, Rice brings out the best in all of these time-tested melodies in this strictly instrumental disc. &Swing Low, Sweet Chariot& is an upbeat romp with a nod toward traditional bluegrass, while the inspirational hymn &Holy, Holy, Holy& is very subdued, with Rice prominently featured in the foreground. An elegantly improvised introduction to &Amazing Grace& may keep many listeners guessing. Although this CD may not be of much interest to strictly secular fans of Tony Rice, they owe it to themselves to give it a hearing, though it may be hard to acquire since this 1994 release seems to have lapsed from print.