Guitarist and vocalist Tony Rice was at the center of some of the most celebrated albums in modern bluegrass, and this 1979 release featuring his rotating band “The Tony Rice Unit” (here featuring Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Todd Phillips, and Sam Bush, with a few Dave Grisman cameos), ranks right at the top. The title cut is an instant classic, but Rice’s ever-unerring taste in covers (like Merle Travis’ “Nine Pound Hammer” and yet another great Gordon Lightfoot tune, “Home from the Forest”), all played with a deep respect for tradition but incorporating jazz and folk influences, make Manzanita an absolute delight. First-ever vinyl reissue to hit retail…root beer pressing!
A1. Old Train
A2. Manzanita
A3. Little Sadie
A4. Blackberry Blossom
A5. Nine Pound Hammer
A6. Hold Whatcha Got
B1. Blue Railroad Train
B2. Ginseng Sullivan
B3. Midnight on the Stormy Deep
B4. I Hope You Have Learned
B5. Stony Point
B6. Home from the Forest
