Forty years ago I was seven years into the twelve I worked with Kate Wolf. It was an amazing time. By 1978 we had been signed by Kaleidoscope Records, just a year after the release of the first David Grisman Quintet album (Kaleidoscope F-5). Kate’s first recording for Kaleidoscope (there were two previous releases on her own Owl Records) was Safe At Anchor (Kaleidoscope F-11), released in 1979. Recorded at 1750 Arch Street Studio in Berkeley, two members of the Quintet appeared on that album - Bill Amatneek, bass, and Darol Anger, violin.
In late 1980 we began production of Kate’s Close To You album (Kaleidoscope F-15). Basic tracks (minus harmony vocals) were completed within a few months, with one notable exception. Like A River, a decidedly bluegrass-style arrangement, still needed “something”. Kate and I were discussing this when I said “It needs guitar like Tony Rice” (this is my recollection) - and she didn’t hesitate. The following day the two of us were headed across the bay to Tony’s home in Marin. After listening to what we had, he graciously offered to help us out. The sessions with Tony were done at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Once the guitar part was added to Like A River, he offered to sing on it so (twist my arm) he and I went back in and recorded the harmonies. Eventually, he would sing harmony on eight of the ten songs on the record.
I am often asked why we had Tony singing on so many songs on Close To You but had him play guitar on just one - Like A River. Again, basic tracks had been nearly completed by the time he got involved. Had he been brought in earlier…
So it was in those days - and when Tony had the Bluegrass Album Band back at 1750 Arch in 1981 to record Volume Two, he brought them all down to KPFA to help Kate out during the station’s fundraiser. Jeff Alexson, Kaleidoscope Records, would send me the tape a few days later and here we are. The show can be found below. A few years later, Kate would return the favor to Tony by adding her voice to the harmonies on Tony’s Cold On The Shoulder album.