Native American
Tony Rice · 1988
42 min · 11 tracks · country music
A fusion of bluegrass, folk, and jazz that captures the spirit of Americana through intricate guitar work and heartfelt storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Urge for Going — This track stands out as it beautifully interprets Joni Mitchell's song with a haunting arrangement that highlights Rice's emotive guitar playing and vocal delivery.
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Night Flyer — Rice's rendition of this classic showcases his virtuosic picking style, merging bluegrass with a contemporary feel that resonates throughout the album.
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Brother to the Wind — This song encapsulates the thematic heart of the album, blending poignant lyrics with lush instrumentation that reflects Rice's introspective songwriting approach.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate guitar work and storytelling, blending genres effectively while maintaining a distinct sound.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate jazz elements, such as unexpected chord changes and improvisational solos, blending genres seamlessly.
- The lyrical content across the tracks tells cohesive stories, with a strong emphasis on imagery and emotional resonance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intricate guitar work appreciation
- heartfelt storytelling moments
- nostalgic themes of americana
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- want constant upbeat tempos
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Tony Rice released 'Native American' in 1988, he was already a celebrated figure in the bluegrass and acoustic music scenes, known for his innovative guitar techniques. This album followed his acclaimed work with the Tony Rice Unit and showcased his ability to blend genres while maintaining the authenticity that fans appreciated.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Grisman· Chris Thile· Jerry Douglas
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Summer Wages
The narrative shifts from reminiscing about lost love to reflecting on life's choices brings a profound sense of longing.
This shift deepens emotional engagement by contrasting youthful hopes with adult realities, enhancing the song's bittersweet tone.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Shadows 3:44
- 2 St. James Hospital 4:59
- 3 Night Flyer 4:00
- 4 Why You Been Gone So Long 3:22
- 5 Urge for Going 5:51
- 6 Go My Way 2:48
- 7 Nothin' Like a Hundred Miles 4:21
- 8 Changes 2:21
- 9 Brother to the Wind 3:28
- 10 John Wilkes Booth 3:52
- 11 Summer Wages 4:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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