Doc Watson - Doc Watson

He had been recorded by folkways since 1961. This was all on folklore oriented recordings of Doc Watson with Clarence Ashley and various pickers from their home area on the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina, in the great Old Time Music at Clarence Ashleys which is now out in a nice two-CD set with more stuff on it than the original records. Then there was a great recording by folkways called The Watson Family, recording Doc, his wife Rosalee, his father in law the great old time fiddler Gaither Carlton, his brother and his mother and other relatives, but with Doc on most recordings. That recording is also one for everyone (Don't confuse it with the nice, but not nearly as good Vanguard CD of The Watson family at Newport).

This is Doc Watson's first album on his own. It also represents a decision he made to go out as a solo act, and not to continue performing as part of the Watson Ashley band or to join the New Lost City Ramblers in which he had been offered the spot of replacing Tom Paley.

This is a clear folk album. Of course, it has the great Black Mountain Rag which is a guitar masterpiece. It also has his Chet Atkins influenced Doc's Guitar. But the heart and sould of this recording is the old time songs. I was really taken by his harmonic solo Momma Blues and his banjo version of Doc Bogg's Country Blues. Then there was I'm Born about 6000 years ago, an old novelty pop song from the turn of the century that my grandfather used to sing in Hartford Connecticut.

There is sincerity, fun, and a real mastery of both voice and instrument. A nice album. Since all the various Vanguard collections only have selections, you really need this first CD if you want all the Doc Watson, or if you are me, just trying to keep bring what you discovered that afternoon in 1964

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, has made me want to smash my guitars against a pole more than listening to Doc Watson. Simply the best flatpicker there is; the inspiration and the frustration of thousands.

Here's his first album and while it has its moments where you can take it or leave it, the talent that Ralph Rinzler saw is quite evident.

Check out "Doc's Guitar," as played by the guy who made it up. Yowza. Nice singing voice, too. I've owned this album nearly 25 years and it's still one of my favorites.