Customer Reviews

Legacy

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

 

 

In recent months two Doc Watson CDs have documented this American master at the beginning of a career and, nearing 80, in career twilight. The first of these, preserving performances from the early 1960s, is At Gerdes Folk City (Sugar Hill). The second, recorded in the late 1990s, is this wonderfully conceived and brilliantly executed retrospective.

Having followed Watson's work since 1967, when I purchased Home Again! (Vanguard) -- still among my favorite of his recordings -- I am certainly familiar with his music, but Legacy tells me things about his life I didn't know, thanks to David Holt's friendly but probing questions. The first two discs intersperse conversation with music, to riveting effect. Watson candidly addresses everything from his blindness to his musical influences to his career highs and lows to his continuing grief over the death, in 1985, of his beloved son and musical partner Merle. Disc #3 is a live Watson/Holt concert, mostly songs and instrumentals but with some talking, including a history of the real Otto Wood, star of the North Carolina outlaw ballad Watson has sung for at least four decades.

Obviously comfortable in Holt's company and energized by his enthusiasm, Watson plays and sings at his best, which is very good indeed. An excellent accompanying booklet takes up where the interviews leave off, with lots of great photographs. No Doc Watson fan will want to be without this winning and worthy tribute to a hero of traditional Southern music.

Legacy showcases the legendary life and work of Doc Watson in this three-disc collection featuring a concert CD with Grammy-Award Winter David Holt. Two the CDs of songs and conversation look back over Doc's 79 years in a informative and solidly entertaining presentation. The discs comprising this unique and highly recommended collection include Beginnings (18 songs ranging from Cousin Sally Brown and Deep River Blues, to Beaumont Rag and Freight Train); A Life In Music (16 selections ranging from Sittin' on Top of the World and Down the Road, to The Tennessee Stud, and Tom Dooley); and The Legacy Concert (18 cuts ranging from Shady Grove and Old Molly Hare, to Don't Get Weary and Stand By Me). Legacy would make a superb addition to any music library collection and is a "must" for the legions of Doc Watson fans everywhere.

This review is meant to point out that this 3 CD set is made up of a lot of spoken word interviews. Folks should know what they are buying since this set is fairly expensive. I love Doc Watson, he is a national treasure. I saw him live with David Holt awhile back, it was a very enjoyable evening, just as this set is if you are in the mood for the wondrous stories behind the man and his experiences. Think of it as a superb podcast, if you are going on a road trip and want stories and music, this is an excellent choice. But, if you are looking for just music, you might be frustrated. Most of the songs have talking as part of the cut, so if you tire of hearing the stories and just want music, you might be better served by Doc's many other great discs. I particularly like "Elementary Doctor Watson" and the two fer "Live & Pickin' / Doc And The Boys."

Doc Watson is without doubt one of the best guitarist in the world in the area of folk/bluegrass music. Above that, he is a genuine lovable down to earth person and it is a real joy to hear him tell the stories on this album. I've been a Doc Watson fan since first hearing him play about 1973 and I never get tired of listening to his brilliant guitar playing or his wonderful vocals. A true American icon, I can't get enough of him. This ablum is truly special because of the interviews that seem to bring him into your living room. Love it!

This CD was purchased as used. It appears brand new. I absolutely love, love, love it! Doc Watson is totally amazing and this 3 CD set only gives me a taste of his special talents. I got to listen to a bit of his family history as well as musical history, as well as some wonderful regular stuff.
Thanks so much for this special, musical treat!
Arlene

I have always been a fan of Doc Watson and really enjoyed this CD. I saw David Holt perform at the International Story Telling Festival in Jonesborough and was able to hear live some of his performance on the CD. If you like good folk/legacy type music you will enjoy this CD.

THIS IS A MUST CD FOR DOC AND OR DAVID HOLT FANS/ OR ANYONE INTERESTED IN REAL OLD TIME PICKING AND SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE HISTORY OF DOC WATSON. IT'S ALSO A COMMENTARY ON THE HISTORY OF APPALACHIA IN THE 1960S. GOOD PICKING BY BOTH AND GREAT STORIES BY DOC (URGED ON BY DAVID HOLT OF COURSE)/// JEFFERSON

Doc Watson & David Holt are two living legends of old-time Appalachian and Roots music. This is a awesome collection of our American Heritage through the traditional music of the mountains. Doc tells how he lost his sight at a young age. David Holt tells many storied of the old timers and their love of music spread through music called, "oral tradition."

Wow. How did I miss this guy for the past few decades?!?!? I love blues music, and traditional blues led me in a roundabout way to Doc Watson. Anyone who loves music with a FEELING should buy this album. He has one of the smoothest, most soulful guitar styles I've ever heard. He can play harp with the best of them and he plays a mean banjo as well! His stories about his life in music are priceless. This is easily one of the best CD collections I've purchased in a long, long time.