Customer Reviews

Down South

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is such a phenomenal album! Doc Watson and his son, Merle (with help from some friends), recorded what I would consider to be the ultimate southern roots album. The tunes on this collection span well over a hundred years, from the Civil War ("Bright Sunny South") to the 1930's ("Hello Stranger") to somewhat contemporary ("Solid Gone") to country gospel ("What A Friend We Have In Jesus"), it's all here. There's a consistency about this album that, although recorded in the early '80's, it has a very old-timey feel to it. Is it folk? Definitely! Is it country? Could be, although country radio stayed away from it. Is it traditional? Absolutely! One of the most traditional back porch albums I've ever heard! There is nothing contemporary in the feeling of this CD. And every note sung and played comes straight from the heart.
'Down South' is the perfect title for this album, because it is truly a regional recording, and it's the one record I can turn to that will give me a 'south of the mason-dixon' feel. It sounds like what you might hear at a southern family reunion. Another of my 'desert island discs.' Coming from someone who lives nowhere near the Bright Sunny South (unless southern Michigan counts), well, that's a pretty high compliment!

This is one of my favorite Doc Watson albums. It is a well chosen selection of songs, performed brilliantly by Doc and his son Merle. One of the nicest things about it is that it highlights Doc's ability to transform songs from all over the musical map into Doc Watson music. There's the blues of Mississippi John Hurt, fiddle tunes, Gospel, bluegrass, and old-time country. All in less than an hour.

doc watson is an american treasure for good reason. his ability to transform traditional tunes is uncanny. cotton eyed joe is an excellent example of doc's mastery of the genre (whatever it may be) and picking up where it left off. there is also the issue of his guitar which is absolutely stunning. most people are left in dust sounding like a rip off of eric clapton or joan baez. doc takes picking to a new level of speed and clarity that is almost unmatched- true shredding. most musicians would be able to appreciate doc's handiwork and folkies can also learn a trick or two about delivery. this is not today's country music. it is the timeless music of yesterday and should rattle the cage of any traditional musician looking for true inspiration.

I confess. More than 20 years ago I copied a relative's CD of Doc and Merle Watson's Down South to cassette tape (technically, probably illegal). Furthermore, when the technology became available, I converted the cassette to MP3 and, subsequently, to a CD (also technically, probably illegal). However, since then I have looked everywhere for an official (read legal, plus packaging) copy of this CD and, until recently, was unable to find it anywhere. I snagged it immediately and so should you.

Cut in 1984, this is Doc and son Merle at their finest and purest. Doc and Merle are accompanied by Buddy Davis and T. Michael Coleman on bass and the ever-present, ever-brilliant Sam Bush on fiddle. The music is simple, clear, and straightforward back-country style (typical Doc) and the late Merle (the album is dedicated to him), who produced this masterpiece, captures the sound raw as if you were only a few feet away.

Every song, no exception, is a potential favorite. Thus, it is pointless to go into the attributes of any. I would be amiss, however, if I did not point out that Doc's solo rendition of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (harmonica and vocal) is bone-chilling. Again, contribute it to album producer (and, ironically, whom the album was dedicated to) Merle Watson. And 20 plus years later, well, it was worth the wait.

Yep, superb. The best folk album I've ever heard. Been a favorite of mine for years, and I'm mostly a classic rock fan. Sound quality is excellent (may be a digital recording?). Playing and singing is excellent. The only other album that comes close (and makes a nice companion piece to this) is "Doc & Dawg". You'll love it!

or one even close? seriously i want to know. this one is great.

HE BECAME BLIND AT AN EARLY AGE. HIS FATHER TOLD HIM THAT HE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE A LIVING CUTTING FIRE WOOD. HE'S REAL. HE'S DOC. LISTEN AND LEARN!