Customer Reviews

The Essential Doc Watson

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The title says it all, really - If you own only one Doc Watson recording, this should be it. Doc's flatpicking (on "Black Mountain Rag, for instance), his fingerpicking (on"Little Omie Wise", for instance) and his folk/gospel style vocals (on most of the tracks) demonstrate just why he's considered one of this era's finest musicians. Doc's range is remarkable, and on this CD you'll find him singing gospel a capella, playing guitar full steam ahead, harmonizing with his mother (really!), playing duets with his son Merle, and yodeling like, well, a guy who knows what he's doing. 26 tracks here, over an hour of music, a must-have for anyone who enjoys traditional music, bluegrass, folk, acoustic.

OK, Never heard of Doc Watson? Well, thanks to my Dad, I have. This is easily his best album. You should hear his version of Froggie Went a Courtin. It is the best. Other songs on this album include Shady Grove, Tom Dooley, Alberta, Groundhog, there's even a duet with his late son Merle who flipped a tractor over on himself. If you love bluegrass, you're sure to fall in love with this album.

I love this CD. It's a great collection of old-time, traditional Southern music. It's like taking a trip back in time - imagine yourself out on the back porch on a summer evening about sixty or seventy years ago. This is what you and your friends would be singing. Doc Watson performs with the right touch of humor, longing, or sadness that each song needs. Years ago, I bought a tape containing the first half of the songs on this CD and it served as an introduction to a whole genre of music. I would recommend this to anyone who is already a fan of Doc Watson or to the person who has heard good things about him and is curious to hear for him/herself.

Any acoustic guitar picker who wants to learn from the master should have this in their collection. Doc makes the difficult seem effortless. His son Merle is the perfect match for Doc in providing his backup and when he takes his own breaks it is clear that he has inherited Doc's guitar genius.

Every home should have this CD. And the man is more remarkable than the music. It is essential.

This is a terrific album. Guitar players will enjoy Doc's unique flat picking style. Hauntingly sad songs of the people of the mountain strike a chord with adults and there are several songs that my children love-Muskrat and Frog Went A Courtin'. The album also features a lovely accapello rendition of "Down in the Valley to Pray."

As much as I love Doc Watson, I fail to understand nor to appreciate this album. How can a Doc Watson Essential album exist without "Tennessee Stud"? Go figure!

This is offered at a good price for what you get: a variety of mostly traditional songs, secular and Southern Gospel, from one of the best guitar players and authentic singers of the 20th century. These songs don't get dated...they were old when they were written down, and older when they were first recorded. This is the kind of music you play repeatedly if you like it at all. And I have liked Doc since the first time I ever heard him play and sing, likely about 40 years ago.

Getting this album was a trip back in time. My foot hasn't stopped tapping yet.

VERY disappointed. Each song sounds like the last. ~ will give away.