TONY RICE UNIT CAPTIVATES CROWDPublication: Richmond Times-DispatchByline: Joe SokohlDate: 10-18-1986Edition: CitySection: Art & TravelMemo: (lcs) Music ReviewLast night, the Empire Theater resounded with the amazingly innovativemusic of the Tony Rice Unit. Four hundred Richmonders sat mesmerized by thecombined virtuosity of Tony Rice on guitar and lead vocals, Jimmy Gaudreauon mandolin and backing vocals, Mark Schatz on stand-up bass, Tony Rice'syounger brother Wyatt on second guitar and Jerry Douglas on dobro.The Tony Rice Unit plays a combination of bluegrass, jazz, contemporaryfolk and old-time country. Though not widely received, this music makes thelistener want to shout and listen, to laugh and cry. It is at once ancientScottish ballads and Appalachian roots music, all fused into a unique sound.To describe the show as unbelievable only hints at the excellentperformance. The audience applauded after every solo and almost every songfeatured all the musicians. The crowd listened raptly and enthusiasticallyproved its enjoyment.Rice's vocals echo all his influences, from Bill Monroe's wail to GordonLightfoot's aching folk. Indeed, Rice admitted a fondness for Lightfoot'ssongs by including five interpretations of his tunes. He sang with ahaunting loneliness that the band echoed.They had fun on stage. At first, the musicians seemed shy, but as theaudience showed extreme appreciation, the players began to smile, movearound a bit and, by the end, they were joking among one another.Tony Rice's work is legendary among guitarists and lovers of this sort ofmusic. His emotional playing reflects his 25 years of experience. Astalented as is the rest of the group, Rice stands out.On "Jerusalem Ridge," Rice garnered rousing applause with his intricatelicks. His brother complemented Rice's runs with his own style of lead.Wyatt Rice's composition simply titled "Wyatt's Original Untitled" evoked acascading waterfall with its musical turns and reels.Every tune stood out. Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country," theclassic bluegrass song "Nine Pound Hammer" and Rice's "Cold on theShoulder" proved how exciting this form of music is.After a standing ovation, Douglas played "A New Day" from his new album.This solo dobro piece literally brought tears to my eyes.After a well-deserved standing ovation, the rest of the Unit joinedDouglas for good ol' time versions of "Old Train" and "Blue RailroadTrain." It seemed fitting for Rice and company to part with Americantraveling songs.Keywords: MUSIC REVIEW