Customer Reviews

Third Generation Blues

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

 

 

I bought this CD the very next day after seeing Doc and Richard perform these same songs in concert. It is remarkable how smooth and mellow Doc's voice remains even when he close to 80 years old. Richard's blues guitar runs are a perfect accompaniament for these songs and Doc's guitar is alive as ever. Highly recommended!

Doc Watson was frequently accompanied by his son, Merle (named after Merle Travis), before Merle's tragic death. Since then, he has had a number of other accompanists, like Jack Lawrence. However, none are more satisfying than his own grandson, Richard. This is not a bluegrass album, nor a country album, nor a blues album. This is just a traditional folk album, played expertly. Doc's flatpicking isn't as fast as it was in the 60's, but it is still clean and beautiful, as his his fingerpicking. He is not as famous for his fingerpicking, but I've always found his fingerpicking to be even better than Chet's. Richard, too, is a fine picker in the Mississippi John Hurt tradition, like his father Merle. Despite the album title, though, the songs are not blues, nor are they bluegrass or country. They are traditional folk songs, that frequently date back to the Scots-Irish tradition. (Rock fans might recognize Gypsy Davey as the title track from Dave Alvin's Blackjack David album, but the song is much older than that...). Don't expect fancy, blindingly fast guitar runs. The album sounds like exactly what the cover suggests-- two family members (accompanied by T Michael Coleman on bass) who happen to be extraordinarily talented musicians, playing informally and inviting us to share. This is a beautiful folk album.

This is one of my favorite cd's of all time. Its got such good music just accoustic guitars and great singing. I highly recomend it.

I like how this CD has classic songs including Gypsy Davey, Honey Please Don't Go, House of the Rising Sun and South Coast. Others have commented on Doc's voice becoming aged, but I think he still sounds great. A good part of what makes his voice good is the feeling he puts into his songs, which is something that will never go away.

This is an excellent CD. While Doc's voice is showing some signs of age, it also provides an interesting perspective on how long (+40 yrs) he has been doing it. So few musician show any sign of soul... I hope Doc never quit's recording.