Thanks for asking, amc2. His passing is big news around here in NC as well as among any of the several jams/sessions I attend. You might find that his S/T album from '64 has many of the cuts that you associated with Doc Watson, but I think that others would make better choices.
My favorite is Doc and Dawg, his late-'90s collaboration with David Grisman. Of course, the mandolin content draws me in, but it is his strongest late album, combining all the threads of his career: folk, country, bluegrass, and some jazz. Like many Acoustic Disc productions, it's a relaxed affair, including some chatter within songs. His voice, a little weathered, is more to the fore than on any other album. Summertime is incredible.
Lately I've been favoring Ballads from Deep Gap, perhaps his most raucous 60s/folk album. He does some great versions of Willie Moore, Rolling in my Sweet Baby's Arms, Cuckoo and Stagolee. He plays more banjo and harmonica than on other albums, but I think this album has much more of a down home feeling because of it. My favorite is his take on Pink Anderson's Travelin' Man.
Southbound is perhaps the most cherished of his folk albums. Virtually every song is a definitive performance, especially Tennessee Stud. The album is especially good because of the musical maturation of Merle, his son. Merle was more into Country Rock and Blues, and pushed his father hard to incorporate more of those elements. He was also really good at three-finger picking (whereas Doc did two fingers). He also contributed the title track, which features interesting interplay between the two guitarists (it's also a song I'm known to sing at jams because of its unique bluesiness.)
Assuming you won't splurge for the big Vanguard collection, go for Black Mountain Rag. It brings together cuts from three albums (some recorded with Tony Rice) from the early '80s. It has more of a country and bluegrass feel--more extended work with fiddle tunes. The tracks have better production values than the Vanguard released but also Doc was in better command of his talents. The title track is, of course, another tune that his was known for playing.
Sorry, no right click, no picture - finished The Small Faces Ultimate Collection - which was rather more than $11.99 for the 2 CD set when I ordered it (I got it from an English other seller new for $10 and change including shipping - arrived pristine in under 2 weeks). Although I liked the whole thing I preferred Disc 2 The Immediate Years (more psychedelic than R&B) to Disc 1 The Decca Years. Felt like I owed these boys a shot, and am glad I got them.
This BTW did an excellent job of shocking away the cobwebs this morning - despite the theatre of the macabre he is really a very dedicated musician - and I think the cover of Beat It rocks.
John 5, God Told Me To, guitar wiz/wanker as you will, former Marilyn Manson, current Rob Zombie sideman. A dedicated guitar shredder, also excellent acoustic player with a taste for country - his latest instrumental album. Some of the acoustic tracks are oddly enough quite lovely. BT would like the track Asland Bump I think.
@amclark2, BT - although it is short at 31 minutes (pet peeve) I do like Foundation - The Doc Watson Guitar Instrumental Collection 1964-1998, if you want to zero in on his guitar legacy.
Speaking of guitar legacies, I just picked this up from the Recommended Albums on that page, Walkin' The Strings by Merle Travis - again short, 34 minutes, and they are not all instrumental regardless of the listings, but the playing is superb. Track 12 Blue Smoke is stunning.
- "This was the first of Skinny Puppys ongoing splinter projects, featuring both cEvin Key and Dwayne Goettel teamed up with Edward Ka-Spel of the Legendary Pink Dots a veritable industrial supergroup. With Key and Goettel handling all of the music and Ka-Spel taking care of the lyrics and vocals, it mixes together to create a dreamy electronic mix that owes something to both Puppy and the Dots, but is nonetheless totally different. Think Pink Floyd on a scary electronic acid trip and youre getting close. You and Me and Rainbows is monolithic at nearly 17 minutes, but its worth every second. The CD reissue adds the Tear Garden EP at the end."
Sean Carruthers / All Music.
Thanks BT, I got the Doc and Dawg; I was wondering about that one because I don't have any Grisman yet either, so it was a good pick.
I hope you enjoy it. If you are interested in more Grisman, I recommend getting the daily download at Acoustic Disc. After several years I have a good portion of many of the albums they put out, and and I am usually no more than five tracks away from completing any album by Grisman himself.
@amclark2, BT - although it is short at 31 minutes (pet peeve) I do like Foundation - The Doc Watson Guitar Instrumental Collection 1964-1998, if you want to zero in on his guitar legacy.
I have that too, and along with the box set I've begun completing those early albums. What I usually don't recommend is his albums that are almost complete bluegrass. They are so dominated by the side players that his own musicianship is drown out. Riding the Midnight Train has some good performances (particularly What does the Deep Sea Say). However, it doesn't sound like a Watson album: bluegrass is too ideological; Watson was more "catholic."
Right now I'm debating using that $3 Amazon coupon to get Gutiar Music of Chile. There's also another Jacob Lindberg lute album at eClassical as the daily deal--I can't keep my hands off those.
I'm about to go on a three to four hour car journey there and back so I have set up a playlist on my ipod
Dexys One Day I'm Going to Soar
Asa Beautiful Imperfection
Old Dance School Chasing the Light
Mawkin Crow
Asa The Captivator
As it is very wet, and I am travelling for the most part on the M1 (our busiest motorway) I need something familiar, these are my favourite recent acquisitions.
Yes, got back a few minutes ago, horrible, especially through the roadworks between Junctions 10 and 13. I needed to collect some new items for our cloakroom from a bathroom warehouse in Watford - the nearest place that had a basin small enough for the space. I'd be happy with a draw tonight, a victory would be amazing, especially with Rooney banned. Maybe I'll start a Euro thread to compete with the NBA thread!
I only got as a far as the first two tracks for this, so finishing off now
Comments
My favorite is Doc and Dawg, his late-'90s collaboration with David Grisman. Of course, the mandolin content draws me in, but it is his strongest late album, combining all the threads of his career: folk, country, bluegrass, and some jazz. Like many Acoustic Disc productions, it's a relaxed affair, including some chatter within songs. His voice, a little weathered, is more to the fore than on any other album. Summertime is incredible.
Lately I've been favoring Ballads from Deep Gap, perhaps his most raucous 60s/folk album. He does some great versions of Willie Moore, Rolling in my Sweet Baby's Arms, Cuckoo and Stagolee. He plays more banjo and harmonica than on other albums, but I think this album has much more of a down home feeling because of it. My favorite is his take on Pink Anderson's Travelin' Man.
Southbound is perhaps the most cherished of his folk albums. Virtually every song is a definitive performance, especially Tennessee Stud. The album is especially good because of the musical maturation of Merle, his son. Merle was more into Country Rock and Blues, and pushed his father hard to incorporate more of those elements. He was also really good at three-finger picking (whereas Doc did two fingers). He also contributed the title track, which features interesting interplay between the two guitarists (it's also a song I'm known to sing at jams because of its unique bluesiness.)
Assuming you won't splurge for the big Vanguard collection, go for Black Mountain Rag. It brings together cuts from three albums (some recorded with Tony Rice) from the early '80s. It has more of a country and bluegrass feel--more extended work with fiddle tunes. The tracks have better production values than the Vanguard released but also Doc was in better command of his talents. The title track is, of course, another tune that his was known for playing.
Hope these recs help. BT
The sort of thing that keeps me at eMusic.
Michandi Shalimar - ST
released 25 May 2012
Michandi Shalimar-Vocals, Sitar, Keyboards, Words
Andrew Douglas Rothbard-Guitar, Electronics, Production
you cannot deny china girl.
Absolutely loving this
@amclark2, BT - although it is short at 31 minutes (pet peeve) I do like Foundation - The Doc Watson Guitar Instrumental Collection 1964-1998, if you want to zero in on his guitar legacy.
Speaking of guitar legacies, I just picked this up from the Recommended Albums on that page, Walkin' The Strings by Merle Travis - again short, 34 minutes, and they are not all instrumental regardless of the listings, but the playing is superb. Track 12 Blue Smoke is stunning.
- Asylum: A place to escape to,a place to escape from....
- "This was the first of Skinny Puppys ongoing splinter projects, featuring both cEvin Key and Dwayne Goettel teamed up with Edward Ka-Spel of the Legendary Pink Dots a veritable industrial supergroup. With Key and Goettel handling all of the music and Ka-Spel taking care of the lyrics and vocals, it mixes together to create a dreamy electronic mix that owes something to both Puppy and the Dots, but is nonetheless totally different. Think Pink Floyd on a scary electronic acid trip and youre getting close. You and Me and Rainbows is monolithic at nearly 17 minutes, but its worth every second. The CD reissue adds the Tear Garden EP at the end."
Sean Carruthers / All Music.
I have that too, and along with the box set I've begun completing those early albums. What I usually don't recommend is his albums that are almost complete bluegrass. They are so dominated by the side players that his own musicianship is drown out. Riding the Midnight Train has some good performances (particularly What does the Deep Sea Say). However, it doesn't sound like a Watson album: bluegrass is too ideological; Watson was more "catholic."
Right now I'm debating using that $3 Amazon coupon to get Gutiar Music of Chile. There's also another Jacob Lindberg lute album at eClassical as the daily deal--I can't keep my hands off those.
Thanks to someone, back in the mists of time.
First track and I just fall more in love with this band.
Still brilliant.
Earlier:
Dexys One Day I'm Going to Soar
Asa Beautiful Imperfection
Old Dance School Chasing the Light
Mawkin Crow
Asa The Captivator
As it is very wet, and I am travelling for the most part on the M1 (our busiest motorway) I need something familiar, these are my favourite recent acquisitions.
I had a look at the site and it seems the free downloads have gone, I should have got them before this happened
New one from Thom Carter streaming on Bandcamp.
Greg hope your journey was ok, pouring down here just the omen for the football tonight, they couldnt beat France tonight?
I only got as a far as the first two tracks for this, so finishing off now