Blake and Rice 2, the 1990 sequel to the duo's acclaimed 1987 debut, finds Norman Blake and Tony Rice continuing their exploration of old-time, folk, and early country string music in an intimate acoustic setting. Both musicians were at career peaks: Blake a veteran custodian of pre-bluegrass Appalachian styles, Rice a flatpicking innovator whose work with the David Grisman Quintet had already reshaped the genre's boundaries. Their guitar interplay is the album's central attraction — two players of fundamentally different temperament finding a shared musical language. "The Two Soldiers" brings a Civil War-era narrative into focus with the kind of understated gravity that both musicians valued. The D-18 Song is a gentle, knowing tribute to their shared instrument.
Tracklist
- 1 It’s Raining Here this Morning Source Recording 3:37
- 2 New Chance Blues alt version 2:16
- 3 Green Light on the Southern alt version 3:46
- 4 Lost Indian Source Recording 3:07
- 5 I’m Not Sayin’ alt version 2:17
- 6 Texas Gales alt version 3:40
- 7 Ridge Road Gravel alt version 2:27
- 8 The Two Soldiers Source Recording 4:34
- 9 Monroe’s Hornpipe alt version 3:01
- 10 Last Train From Poor Valley alt version 3:35
- 11 New River Train alt version 3:26
- 12 Stoney Point alt version 2:48
- 13 D-18 Song (Thank You, Mr. Martin) Source Recording 3:58
- 14 Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar alt version 3:33
- 15 Little Beggarman / Gilderoy 2:58
- 16 The Shipyard Apprentice 4:13
- 17 Medley: Fiddler's Dram/Whiskey Before Breakfast - Medley 4:42
- 18 I'm Comin' Back But I Don't Know When 2:43
- 19 Eight More Miles to Louisville alt version