Customer Reviews

Black Mountain Rag

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the companion album to 2004's SITTIN' HERE PICKIN' THE BLUES. That album expanded 1985's PICKIN' THE BLUES by adding a handful of tracks from RED ROCKING CHAIR (1981) and DOC AND MERLE WATSON'S GUITAR ALBUM (1983). All three of those albums were from Doc's association with the Flying Fish Label.

Now, two years later, Rounder puts out BLACK MOUNTAIN RAG, which includes the remaining eight tracks from RED ROCKING CHAIR and the remaining 9 tracks from GUITAR ALBUM. In addition, there are two tracks ("Leaving London" and "Bye Bye Bluebelle/Smiles") from the 1996 compilation WATSON COUNTRY, as well as "Blackberry Blossom" from 1990's NORMAN BLAKE & TONY RICE 2.

Quite simply, Doc Watson is one of the best flat-pick guitarists--period. And his son Merle (who tragically died in 1985) is an equally talented guitarist, especially his slide guitar playing. I was first introduced to Doc Watson on the Dirt Band's WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN and have been a fan ever since. Doc is incapable of putting out a bad album, and his albums for the Flying Fish label in the early Eighties are all excellent. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

"Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette. Puff, puff, puff, but if you smoke yourself to death tell St. Peter at the golden gate that you hates to make him wait, but you just gotta have another cigarette."
-<u>Smoke, Smoke, Smoke</u>, Track 2

Just recently got this album, and am only just beginning to appreciate it. The guitars are all very crisp, and the other instruments compliment the simple old-time and bluegrass tunes nicely. An extremely wide variety of tunes, all of which are masterfully played by the contributing musicians. Particular tracks to look for are "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke", "Below Freezing", and "Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar", the last of which has a particularly interesting chord progression, making interesting use of a diminished chord to make for a curious but well-chosen closer. Black Mountain Rag deserves my stars for having strong performances all around and moreover, for being a well-mixed final product.

This repackaging of classic cuts just before Merle's death has excellent sound quality, with Doc at his musical peak. Mark O'Connor fiddle backup is awesome. Some of the most important Doc songs, a great example of an American legend.

I am only recently getting familiar with Doc Watson's work and really enjoying it! Came accross "Below Freezing" on this album and am amazed, raising questions like: "where can I find more stuff like this?" "this is unlike anything else on DW's records, where did this come from?"
I would love to have feedback that would lead me to anwers to these questions. Thanks!

This is an excellent CD of music by a phenomenal bluegrass musician and his equally good son. Great CD for any bluegrass lover's library.

I have some of these songs on the original vinyl, and it still sounds as fresh and entertaining now as it did then.I remember going to the Main Point in Bryn Mawr and watching Doc, Merle and Michael every time they came into town, we were never disappointed!

I am becoming more convinced that all of Doc Watson's recordings are wonderful to listen to.