Tony Rice California Autumn (LP)

(Rebel Records) 12 tracks

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. Rebel Records is pleased to make a gem from his earliest days available again on vinyl. California Autumn was Tony's first serious solo record, produced by the Seldom Scene's John Starling and mixed by the legendary George Massenberg.

The material included seven instrumentals that recalled the playing of Tony's mentor, the great Clarence White. The rest featured Tony's plaintive, powerful baritone lead vocals-pitch-perfect and soulful in their own compelling way. This recording 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.