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Doc & Merle Watson - Doc Watson on Stage (Featuring Merle Watson) Audio CD

A fair review of the Doc & Merle Watson "Doc Watson on Stage (Featuring Merle Watson)" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Doc & Merle Watson reviews here, or go back to the Doc & Merle Watson tabs.

Doc & Merle Watson Band: Doc & Merle Watson
Title: Doc Watson on Stage (Featuring Merle Watson)
Rating:
Release Date: 1990-05-24
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Brown's Ferry Blues 2: Wreck of the 1262 3: Spike Driver Blues 4: Deep River Blues 5: Life Gits Teejus Don't It 6: Lost John 7: Hold the Woodpile Down 8: Billy in the Low Ground 9: I Am a Pilgrim 10: Clouds Are Gwine to Roll Away 11: Windy and Warm 12: Doc's Guitar [Instrumental] 13: Open Up Them Pearly Gates for Me 14: Preacher and the Bicycle 15: Jimmy's Texas Blues 16: Banks of the Ohio 17: Roll On Buddy 18: Southbound 19: Wabash Cannonball 20: When the Work's All Done This Fall 21: Little Sadie 22: Quaker's Crow 23: Salt Creek/Bill Cheatham [Instrumental] 24: Don't Let Your Deal Go Down

Only One Thing Missing
Admittedly, you don't miss much but those of you with turntables might want to keep an eye out for this one in the used record stores that are rapidly disappearing from the American landscape. Just so you know, folks, there was one advantage to the double-album vinyl release (Vanguard VSD - 9/10, 1970) and that's the inclusion of Hank Snow's song "Movin' On" between "The Cloud's Are Gwine Roll Away" and the instrumental "Windy & Warm"; it was presumably removed because of the length of the album when transferred to the 80-minute CD limit. For those without turntables, give thanks that this classic recording is available on CD because it's a true American treasure.


Flatpicking guitar at its best
He is possibly the one who is responsible for transfering the guitar from only a rythm instrument into a soloinstrument in these kinds of music, by learning how to do the old fiddletunes on the guitar. Doc Watson is well known as one of the best flatpicking guitarists in the genres of Old Time, Bluegrass and Folk. And how he does it? He is a virtuoso on his instrument.
On this live recording, first released in 1982 as a dobbel LP, he is joined by his son Merle, and it is possibly one of the most beautiful records he has ever made. Doc sings and plays the guitar, and on some numbers the mouthorgan too. Merle accompanies him on guitar, and gets the chance to kick in a couple of numbers of his own.
There is a nice and warm and relaxed atmosphere in the concert. Doc tells a few jokes and you get the feeling that you are sitting around in his livingroom.
I first bought this record in 1982, and now I have bought it again on CD. It is simply a must in my personal collection. It is this record that woke my interrest for bluegrass, and learning how to flatpick on the guitar. And I am greatfull, though I'll never reach Doc's level. In fact very few people do.
Should I compare his playing to any younger generation flatpickers, the first one I can think of is Tony Rice.
And finaly, should you be interested in seeing Doc in action I can strongly recomend the DVD The Three Pickers, a concert in which he plays with Earl Scruggs and Ricky Skaggs, and Allison Krauss appears as a guest. That is very very beautyfull.


Honest Representation of Doc and Merle Live
This disc is an accurate representation of the live Doc and Merle I saw - excellent musicianship applied to a broad sweep of American folk, blues and fiddle tunes played in Doc's unique way. I was fortunate to be able to see Doc and Merle live a couple of times before Merle's premature death. Doc has a great sense of humor and it always comes through when he plays live, just as it done on this disc. Check out "Life Gits Teejus Don't It" for an example. Merle was an absolutely incredible guitarist but the most important gift he brought to the music was his innate sense of when and how to accompany and when and how to lead. He integrated himself into a song and played his part exceedingly well. I miss him. This disc has a great mix of tunes with enough instrumentals to please the pickers and plenty of story songs for the folkies. The sound quality is warm and clear and best of all, it doesn't get in the way of the music. This is a true 5 star disc in every regard. Classic!.


Good intro to Doc
This album contains samples of his blues, ballads, and old mountain songs. A very good introduction to the music of Doc Watson. Of his albums that I currently have, moreover, this one reminds me most of the time I saw him in concert (early '90s) and the variety of songs he played then. I would highly recommend this as a first purchase of Doc's music.


Each time I listen to DOC, I'd like to be American!
This 1971 live recording (24 tracks, over 70 minutes, good sound quality) offers a generous helping of his art. A message to the American people: Americans, in case you don't know: DOC is not only one of the world's best guitarists, but also the best embassador that the US has ever had. Together with his late son Merle, Doc presents a collection of impeccably played folk songs. From 'Brown's Ferry Blues' to 'Don't let your deal go down', the singing and the picking are superb, so are Doc's comments and the audience's reactions. His are a voice and a PERSONALITY that you cannot help but love, someone you like listening to in your living-room for the sheer warmth his music exudes. And, what's more, his music integrates so many different voices, stories, influences, experiences that in my book he's the true Voice of America. Of course, there are numerous other fantastic recordings by Doc Watson -some dificult to come by here in Europe. Each record produced in his long career -and I own quite as lot, not a single one disappointing- is definitely worth checking out.


You can see a complete list of all Doc & Merle Watson discography, or go back to the Doc & Merle Watson tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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