Customer Reviews

In Boston 1959

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

 

 

This is a great recording for a number of reasons and if it weren't for Mike Seeger and his magical tape recorder, we'd never have it. Thanks Mike! This concert is an interesting document of the very beginnings of the folk revival of the early 1960s. It features the folksy side of Merle Travis as opposed to the honkytonk side. We hear songs that northern audiences would likely have been familiar with such as Nine Pound Hammer and John Henry, as opposed to I Like My Chicken Fryin' Size, Kentucky Means Paradise, and the like. I would have appreciated a more adventurous songlist, but that's really nitpicking considering the enjoyability of this concert. Merle plays his Martin D-28 acoustic guitar throughout, which gives us softer, warmer versions of his signature instrumentals. When I listen to this album, I am taken by Merle Travis's humility. This guy can play the pants off of virtually any guitar picker and you'd never know it from his demeanor or his playing style. Through the majority of the songs, Merle uses his guitar to accompany his warm voice, throwing in a few majestic licks and fills along the way. The cover photograph, while artistic, is a bit misleading as it was taken many years after this recording was made. I think Rounder must be trying to market this album to the same "Gen X" crowd that dabbled into country music by buying Johnny Cash's recent (and largely mediocre) American Recordings that sport similar packaging. Well, I suppose this is okay if it introduces younger generations to the wonder of Merle Travis. Still, I wish the album contained photographs from the era of the concert. Once again, I find myself nitpicking here (not to mention going off on a tangent). This album is a wonderful album, an interesting historical document, and an entertaining, uplifting performance.

I was fortunate to grow up listening to my fathers records of Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. And watching Cal's Corral on KTLA TV in Los Angeles I was able to see Merle,Chet,Joe Maphis and the Collins Kids etc. As a guitarist and musician this music has inspired me all my life. When I read that this recording was available I ordered it immediately. It is a treasure for musicians and finger pickers everywhere. If only I could convince a record company to re-release 'The Merle Travis Guitar'Capitol T650 with bonus tracks , I'd be in heaven!!Buy this Cd and you'll never regret it, after all his method of picking wasn't called 'Travis Picking' for nothing!

You can see why Doc Watson named his son after Merle Travis ... both picking style and remarks to the audience sounded very much like Doc.

Very warm recording ... tip of the hat to Mike Seegar for catching a small slice of Mr. Travis' genius.

This is a recording of a concert that Merle Travis gave in Boston in 1959. Besides the obvious, what makes this special for me is that it features Mr. Travis performing with his acoustic guitar rather than the electric. I don't remember seeing Merle Travis performing with anything but an electric as a child, so this album is a real treat for me. I love country blues and this performance is filled with his mix of country blues, hill music (ok...folk) and jazz. It's worth the investment to have this performance in your library. You will get to hear one of the real giants of american music at his best and for those of you that love fingerpicking as a guitar style, this is the guy who brought country blues into the modern era and in a way assured its survival. When I listen to this performance, I hear some interesting and diverse influences...Mose Rager - one of Mr. Travis' teachers, Blind Blake - ragtime/ragtime blues genius and Django Reinhardt all melded together into "Travis Picking." Highly recommended...

This is a great idea, and someone does deserve the worlds biggest "hi-five" for actually making a Merle Travis "Live" cd.

But, if you are going to do something, do it right. My big problem is the artwork. It appears on the front that Merle has just taken his last breath. The pictures included here are from the 1980's, right before he died, you figure they could have had a few shots of him from 1959, when the concert was, or maybe even pictures from the concert itself.

The music is fantastic, although I wish he would have included songs like "Fat Gal and Kentucky Means Paradise."

This will definately supplement your Merle Travis collection and definately wet your appetite for more "live" cd's.