I got to know and spend a lot of time with Doc the last 10 yrs of his life. The first time I went to his house, after spending a couple of hrs with him and Rosa Lee, I said "Mr. Watson, it's okay to say no but I'm going to kick myself if I leave and don't ask if you'd mind playing a song." He jumped up - almost as if he'd been waiting for me to ask - to get his guitar. I got a personal 1 on 1 concert from Doc Watson that went on for 45 minutes to an hour. This was after having spent 2-3 hrs with him. It was amazing!!! Towards the end of my personal concert, I said to him, "Mr. Watson, I thought that I'd walk into your house and see Grammy awards all over the walls". He said "There in a spare bedroom that we've turned into an office, behind a pile of junk mail I've been meaning to throw away."
I miss Doc so much. Merlefest isn't the same every year without him. He was the most down to earth man I'd ever met. He taught me many things over the years from childhood into adulthood. He was an amazing and talented man who is deeply missed.
Reading y’alls comments it makes me homesick for Boone, I’m happy in Japan and have been ever since I voted against Jesse Helms and saw the outcome. But times like these Reading your comments. I wish I were there.
Doc Watson actually kind of changed my life. Long story short, I came home in the back of a police car when I was 14. This was about the same time I started playing guitar, my Dad started spending more time with me and Doc Watson was in town shortly afterward. My Dad and I saw Doc Watson any time he was anywhere close to where we lived until my Dad past away.
Such a great guy to see perform in person. I saw Doc and Merle Watson on the Green in Hartford one weekend and it was magical. At the end of the concert, they were getting ready for encore, and I shouted out, 'Tennessee Stud', and Doc said, 'You guessed it'. That made my night...
Wow! Pulling Doc Watson out of yesteryear. Very impressive how you can break down his style and see thing maybe others (myself included) don't see. I've seen Doc play probably a hundred times and about all I could do is stand in awe. Great job man, really good.
@@tormaks I know Tommy states he was influenced by Chet Atkins and Merle Travis who were famous country finger style. Doc was actually more well known for his flat picking. See his song "Black Mountain Rag" which was a fiddle tune that he played on guitar.
I am extremely glad you’re doing more acoustic players. Doc is outstanding in that he was of the first people to translate fiddle melodies to the flatpicked guitar, but he actually started his professional career as an electric guitarist. He played a Les Paul.
Wow ! Thanks for reviewing Doc Arthel Lane Watson. He is my favorite musician. He was a great flatpicker and fingerstyle guitarist and vocalist. He also played a fine old style banjo and harmonica and a little mandolin. Most importantly he was a great man according to those who new him. I love your respect and the joy on you face when you are reviewing these videos of these great musicians----thanks again.
Wonderful. I took one listen to this track on vinyl way back in 1964 and thought 'I want to play like that' . Much practice and a few years and I won a TV talent quest with it down here in OZ. I used the 'vamped or muted bass' and 2 fingers (never thought of one) using finger picks. Also love Doc's singing and flat picking. In many ways he pioneered bluegrass lead flat picking along with Clarence White and others. These led to the likes of Tony Rice, Norman Blake etc. He was a wonderful cross picker with the pick too. He played electric in a country band in his early says. A national treasure. Was lucky to see him perform and meet him at the 2004 Merlefest. :)
I discovered Doc on L.A.public radio when I was in High School in the late 60s-loved him and still do. Love how respectful and reverent your presentation is.
Leo Kotke tells a story of being on stage with Doc Watson. He finished tuning his guitar, then Doc reaches over and tweaks the high E. As Leo tells it, he's never been able to get that string tuned right since.
Saw Leo play in the middle of the woods in some old tiny abandon church in Delhi NY. His playing was incredible that night -- what an experience! At one point, he said "This is one of the most horrifying places I've ever been to in my life, let alone played at -- its like sleepy hollow meets the evil dead." After the show we stayed at a motel that looked like a setting for a triple homicide! It was definatly a breeding grounds for serial killers. Although, great finger pickin and horn slide from Leo!
Ron Thomason of Dry Branch Fire Squad bluegrass band tells of the surreal experience of going to see Doc at his home in Deep Gap, NC. After driving up the long, gravel driveway to his remote abode, there's Doc on the roof of his humble home, adjusting the T.V. antenna.
This is one of my favorite videos you have done! Thank you for pointing out things that never would have caught before. One and the other aspects of Doc Watson is flatpicking. He has such a clean quick technique with an equally impressive melody. I think that's my favorite part of Doc Watson I like to listen to. Thanks again!
I knew Doc pretty well. We weren't BFFs or anything, but we were friends and worked together occasionally. We never got to really play music together, although I used to pick a bit with his grandson, Richard on occasion for fun. Doc practiced CONSTANTLY. I've never seen a guy practice so much. I think the only time he was ever without a guitar in hand or one nearby was at the local barber shop. If he was without an instrument within arms reach, he was generally a bit fidgety and grumpy. He would bore of conversation easily (unless he was telling stories); as he just wanted to play. His hands were better than eyes. He could touch a piece of wood and tell you exactly, in detail, what it was. His ears were so good he could recognize you, by name, via your footsteps. If I can't find you on Facebook, you find me and I'll tell you some stories!.... 🤘
Stories like these are amazing. Thank you for sharing. I am a huge fan of docs, but I’m only 22 years old. Will be showing my kids a lot of doc one day. Thanks again
I think you will find that it was not 'all his own' and in fact the great Merle Travis also used that playing style, they both could play with just a thumb and one finger what it took other great guitarist a thumb and three or even four fingers to do.
I did not say that Doc' copied Merle, I just stated that the style that Doc' used was not 'all his own' (as you said), and I would bet that if you go back to the 1930's there were Blues players who also used the same method albeit without a thumb pick. I met and talked with John Lee Hooker and watched him play here in England in the Sixties, and he played with just his thumb and one finger (without a pick), so the style was and still is widely used.
I was privileged to hear Doc live on many, many occasions, perhaps as many as 50 times, sometimes in really small venues with less than 200 people. I met and spoke with him on a handful of occasions and he was just an old boy from NC. My brother played the cuts from "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" album and he was in town that night in '73. Never missed him again until he stopped touring anytime he came to town, which was at least yearly. I have some great stories of him. My favorite was being on the front row of the hall (as usual), about 3 feet from the stage and he sat about 3-4 feet back - we were behind the speaker array so we actually heard the real guitar and the amplification was behind us... time came for the show and nothing, plue five minutes, ten minutes and his grandson walked him out and he sat down and settled himself and said, "Well, I thought someone was going to be out here to introduce me, but, well, I reckon you know who I am. If you came tonight expecting some sort of fancy show, well, you're gonna be disappointed, but if you just want to hear and old feller sit here and pick a guitar like he was in your living room, well, we're going to have a good time." And he launched into a solo performance of, of all things, "Knights in White Satin," and it was one of the most moving and stunning moments of my rich musical life. Doc was a national treasure!
When they recorded Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Doc played a take on a particular song first time through dead solid perfect. The engineers had to ask him to do it again because they didn't have the equipment all set up. Which he did, dead perfectly. You can recognize his tone and attack while flatpicking almost immediately it is so clean and true, solid. I read somewhere that he was sighted at birth but lost his vision to some disease in childhood. RIP Doc.
My favorite part of that recording is a snippet overheard between songs where Merle Travis & Doc Watson meet for the first time. As the technique in this video shows, Travis was a huge influence on Doc, but their paths hadn't crossed before. Travis says something along the lines of "I sure do admire your fine guitar picking, Doc," and Doc replies, "I like yours so much, I named my boy after you."
I had the honor and pleasure of seeing Doc and his son Merle at least 6 times. Ohio University in Athens Ohio was on the folk/blues circuit. What you can't see here was Doc's humor. He joked constantly...a total showman. Leo Kottke is the same way...a joke or wise crack and then off they go...and the sound live from 10 or 15 feet away !
Ty for this in depth break down. I don’t know a thing about playing a guitar, and you taught me some of the technical reasons I like his. All I know is when I have doc and his son Merle playing, it doesn’t matter what kind of crappy day I’ve had, it’ll have me toe tappin and smiling from ear to ear. They were those kind of people. There’s some old footage of doc and Merle (docs son) together. Look for stuff prior to merle’s passing in 85. Merle was as good as doc and said to be one of the best slide guitar players as well. You’ll have to get back to me and see what you think 😉
Thanks so much for these videos. Wow! I never knew he used a thumb and one finger. I saw Doc Watson perform live exactly once, at Café Hibou in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on October 15, 1969. The Who were playing at the Capitol Theatre that night (4 months before Live at Leeds). I tried to get in but it was sold out, so I decided to go to le Hibou instead. I had never heard of Doc Watson. I was blown away.
I saw Doc several times in the 70's and 80's, and I was never disappointed. I'm a long-time guitar player myself, and while I never actually handled one of his guitars, I was told that Doc's high E string was something like a .13 or .14, so he's playing with pretty heavy strings. There are lots of players with the dexterity and independence to play this song who still can't reproduce the fullness of Doc's sound, and I believe that the string gauge has a lot to do with it.
My mother had a 1930s Bauer - a relatively small guitar with really deep resonant sound. The big difference is the really thin wood compared to modern acoustic guitars.
Happy to have seen him many times in the states. He was such an excellent and personable person. Glad you explored his music. Norman Blake was another of the states great innovators of southern playing.
Yeah, I've seen Norman Blake too, many times at small venues... amazing. Sitting eight feet away right in front of the sound hole! Doc was an original and Merle was no slouch either.
Love some Bluegrass! Started playing it back in 93 and still find myself ringing out some Foggy Mountain Breakdown to this day. I'm primarily into Blues now, but Grass will always be in my heart good job my friend.
I adore Doc Watson. His pickin' was just as good as it could get. His playing and singing still get to me so deeply - and Deep River Blues is one of those songs that many guitar players try to play. It's a classic. I wish he didn't have to leave us. He is so missed. Words fail me here in trying to say how I feel. He was a national treasure. And, one more thing, he only had one son, Merle, who died in 1985 in a tractor accident, had played with his dad for a long time. Doc was able to keep going and I don't know how. I don't think I could have done that. The heartbreak. Jack Lawrence and Doc's grandson helped him to overcome.
I've been looking forward to you reacting to Doc Watson for a while. I've been listening to Doc for more than thirty years. He's the single biggest influence on how I play guitar.
Doc is legendary. Your analysis of his playing was very good, but that aside, I noticed that the whole time Doc is playing there is a smile of your face which is the reaction that his playing brings to most everybody I know.
This two-finger technique was called Travis-picking. It was made popular by Merle Travis. Peter, Paul, and Mary were also using this quite a lot. Doc Watson mastered it, but he was not the inventor. I am pretty sure that this was an old folk style discovered by multiple people long time ago...
One of the first was Maybelle Carter, originator of the "Carter scratch." Her version was slightly different in that she put the finger pick over the nail on her index finger and "frailed" the strings, as opposed to picking them.
This was pure joy, what a lot of fun to watch him and to think that his blindness he overcame. I mean to say that it wasn't an obstacle really for him and he proved what years of hard work can ultimately produce, awesomeness♡
Doc Watson is my favorite guitarist. The most innovative, best ear, just a real wizard. Thanks to "wings" for recognizing so many unknown and early artists. A very nice and respectful guy. Yeah...Doc was a "monster" Unreal. They all copied him.
Doc Watson, a treasure here in my state (North Carolina) and not just as a brilliant guitar player in many folk styles including this Piedmont Blues playing, but a genuine kind hearted man. NC has been blessed with many folk with great talent. Earl Scruggs, Charlie Poole, Doc Watson, Blind Boy Fuller, and many more.
Was fortunate to see Doc and Merle perform in the Appalachian State University gym in 1973 after Doc received an honorary degree earlier that day. A highlight of my life.
You know as a budding young guitarist, I felt it was important to point out what the greats did that was “wrong” so I could develop a solid foundation of the fundamentals. Now that I’m quite a bit better at guitar, I appreciate what you’re doing a lot more. There are so many ways to approach the guitar that I am only just starting to approach. It’s like starting over, but it’s also super refreshing. I guess my point is, I really appreciate what you’re doing here.
Another great analysis video. Coming from a rock/metal background, I hadn't heard Doc Watson before now. Impressive technique indeed. Now I'm off to find out more. Every day's a school day. Thanks Fil.
Thank you for your work on these videos, I just found you yesterday and kind if binged on them. I last played in junior High and was not very good but have always loved music. I love that you are showing the older players, and sharing them with us I hope I find something on Robert Johnson here also. i know he did not start the blues but I think he was one of the first to be revered for his playing and singing of the blues.
You are right it's Appalachian bass line playing, some say. Some people don't know he hurt his right hand when he was a boy and though he recovered I think that is where he discovered that cool muting. Peter Tork could completely replicate Doc in his own teaching videos. I am so glad you are showing these and laying it down about how much work it is to get as rev Peyton says Front Porch Trained.
I was blessed to grow up with Doc (and Merle) in my living room whenever they were in town. He was friends with my parents and you can hear Doc mention my dad on the Legacy double CD. And you’re sort of right Fil about his nickname, but he told us that it was during his first stage performance playing electric(!) rockabilly at a dance that his friend was introducing him onstage and said, “We can’t call you Arthel...” and an audience member shouted “call him Doc.” But Doc was known to tell different versions of the same story pretty often. I saw him last about a month before his death with my adult sons. I was only five when I met him! I’d *love* to see you do a video on Merle Watson’s slide guitar playing. I really like your analysis.
I lived in Boulder Colorado in the 70's and 80's. There was a small club in the downtown area called the Blue Note. I got to see Doc along with his son Merle and the bass player T. Michael Coleman a couple of times. What a great show they put on. One of those times I was in the local guitar shop that was just around the corner from the club browsing the guitars there. Toward the back of the shop I heard an unmistakable sound of bluegrass flatpicking and a small crowd. Sitting there on a stool were the three of them. I got to meet them that day, something I'll never forget. Such a kind man. I know this video was about him fingerpicking but watch one of his video's when he is flatpicking. It is incredible to see.
Doc Watson is the Poster Child of real American music ! When it comes to American folk style mountain music , he is the King ! The guitar is his voice , in addition to the fact his vocals blend so perfect with his guitar . I learned this tune after I heard Doc do it the first time , it just stuck with me , and I had to learn it . I will never be able to do it as good as him ! He is the Master !
Lived in Boone, North Carolina for years in the late ‘70s when Boone was a tiny university hippie town. We used to see Doc and Merle regularly. Just down the mountain Merlefest has grown so big. Great stuff. Great times.
Doc has been my musical hero since I started playing as a kid in the 1970's. Saw him play at least a dozen times and opened for him once. He was the real deal. Thanks for posting.
Doc started out as a one man band playing on the streets in his region of N. Carolina. That may have been the factor that inspired him to try and maintain continuity/synchrony between the playing and singing that you discuss. He was a remarkable man! As you mentioned, he could produce that clear vibrant sound on a guitar that few others could match. He was quite intelligent and had a diverse interest in music of all types. As a child he attended a school for the blind for several years away from home. This was a similar experience to another great blind American musician Ray Charles. I often wondered if these two great musicians, of the same approx. time period, knew much of each other's work or even got together at some point? When he died Bob Dylan said something like "he could play guitar like water running" In a current top bluegrass tune "The Guitar Song" played and sung by Del McCoury and Joe Mullins, Del mentions playing with the great man at a festival in Calif. and Joe chimes in..."Doc Watson was the coolest" That about sums him up! Another great guitarist you may want to examine (you probably know about him already but I'll mention) was Wes Montgomery. To me, Wes was the greatest jazz guitarist. He had some unusual methods too....playing with his thumb (sorry I'm not a player, just a listener, so don't know all the specifics) Doc had an interesting biography "Blind But Now I See" written by Kent Gustavson. Keep up the good work Pegasus!
I saw Doc Watson performing at Merle Fest in the late 90's. The group I was there with heard some playing from outside a big tent that was set up to see it was Doc Watson on the stage playing. Another great performance from that weekend was Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. That was one of the best shows that I've seen live in my life.
I discovered Doc Watson through Tony Polocastro's Acustic Tuesday you tube show a few years ago, and it just made me think how I wasted many years just strumming when I could have learned this stile I am 65 in July I don't have 10 years to learn Doc's Style but I am enjoying his legacy he would have been 100 this week A great musician my God bless him
Wow, love Doc Watson. Check out a rare video of Doc, Leo Kottke and Chet Atkins playing " The last steam engine". Tragically Doc lost his son and playing partner Merle in a tractor accident. Love them both.
Thanks Fil! Really appreciate it! Doc's flat picking is also stellar! I've been pretty lucky to get to hang with several awesome bands with some serious talent here in Texas, of all different styles, and like you said the amount of practice is unbelievable. I have even known a couple of guys that actually slept with their guitars and if they woke up they would practice a lick or two. Sadly for Doc, he lost his son Merle in a tractor accident in 1985 and he was awesome in his own right. Thanks again Fil! edit; Check out Merle Travis when you get a chance!
Great musician and acoustic guitarist. Fortunate to have heard him in person around 2000, shortly before he passed. Just a great tone and sound. Warm and inviting.
I like to imagine being on one of my kayak/canoe trips .. camping over night on some remote sandbar on the Arkansas river between Ponca City and Tulsa. Having good old Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs to play and sing with around the campfire. My imagination is running wild.
My best friend is a banjo and bluegrass lover since the late 80's. I was a closet bluegrass fan then too, but a metal head then. I came out many years ago and love all types of music. Im glad my friend showed me Bill Monroe, Jen's Kruger, Bella Fleck, Dan Crary, etc; Del McCoury and most of all David Grisman.
I saw Doc and Merle in the 70's at the sub at MSU in Bozeman Montana, I was a dream I was in a band binging on will the circle be unbroken album. We were inspired !! as they started the show some members of the audience were being boisterous, he stopped playing and said if you don't listen your going to miss part of the song. That worked and we didn't part of any song. Doc set me free
I got to see him and was amazed how he could mix playing and singing so well and intermingle guitar leads with both so naturally. Very hard and rare. Most folks sing and play separately.
Good digging Fil. Far too few know of Arthel "Doc" Watson. Doc was one of the first to place the acoustic guitar in a lead position in traditional Appalachian American Folk music. He learned fiddle parts on the guitar because his early bands didn't have a fiddle player. His son Merle was a world class picker himself. The two of them together made some of my favorite trad. albums. Merle died tragically and far too young in 1985. Merlefest, the most prestigious and world renown "Bluegrass and more" festival, held the last weekend in April for the last 30 years, is named in his honor. Doc Watson played every festival, until his death in 2012, and was still a wonder to hear at age 88. BTW Merlefest is a bucket list worthy 4 days of American and World traditional music, in beautiful Western North Carolina, at the piedmont of the Appalachian Mtns, that you will never forget. And Doc played Martins mostly and some Gibsons in his early career. He picked up Tennessee made Gallagher Guitars in the late 60's. Mostly played Gallaghers after that. They made a signature Doc Watson model. But you know how guitar players are. If they have more than one, they will have a favorite and then a few more they go back to once in a while. Who gives away old Martins and Gibsons?
Fil, I know the skill Doc showed, as a blind guitarist, was impressive but just think of his earlier "career." He lost his sight at about the age of three to an illness. Before he became successful with music, he supported his family cutting firewood... and he still had all his fingers when his musical career took off!! My family got to know him when he played in Cotati, CA and my sister had a little music shop in the building where they played. Doc, Merle, and Michael Coleman worked together then with Michael on the Fender Fret-less bass. Merle had a song where he added a steel slide in the middle of the piece and he would grab a Craftsman 5/8" socket from the guitar case and use that. One night he pulled the socket from the case and slipped it on his finger only to find that it was full of axle grease!! Michael was trying really hard to look innocent but those of us who know them better just cracked up. You just knew that Merle would deal with that later! ;^)
Doc lived about 20 miles east of me in N Wilkesboro NC, and after his son passed away he started a festival called Merlefest. It quickly became one of the largest bluegrass festivals around bringing artists from all over. Every year folks make the journey to Merlefest to enjoy great music and a few other things this part of the country is noted for ;-) Side note, his nephew (or cousin I can't remember which) decided he wanted to play the mandolin so he purchased a used one from the pawn shop. Within two weeks he was playing along with several old bluegrass songs... (did I forget to mention that he was mentally challenged???) I still think some folks are just born with a gift, they still have to practice, but it almost has to be in their genes :-) Excellent video Mr WoP!!!
Thank you so much for your usual great reaction , this time on Doc Watson!! I’ve always felt people never appreciated how good he was , especially considering he was blind. I loved your comment on people just passing on musicL talent as being a gift ( which may be true to a Sama degree), and not realizing how much work and practice goes into reaching that level!! I think a greater gift is the ability to be able to have that type of work ethic needed to reach that skill set . I can truly appreciate that because it took me 2-3 years to be able to learn orange blossom special on the harmonica well enough to play it on stage. Once again great job!, 😎👍
Doc Watson actually changed my way of guitar playing, i have been playing with eyes shut since 1980. As a Busker I had people say 'You can't play with closed eyes, prople will steal your kitty, and Yes, in California, people will steal from a Busker and then Brag about it on Facebook. I took Music at Baylor University, Waco Texas, in 1958-1960, but this was Violin Lessons; in 1963 I took Guitar Lessons and by 1965 Grandmother bought me a Gibson ES 330 and a Gretsch 10 Watts amplifier, but after Crosby-Stills-Nash record I bought a Epiphone Round Shoulder Acoustic 1958 model and played Acoustic .
Very cool; I love Doc Watson. I saw him twice; the first time he was playing with his son Merle Watson, who tragically died as a young man. You probably know this; Doc often played with a flat pick as well as his finger-picking style. He was also a skilled banjo player and no slouch on the harmonica either. As someone else pointed out below, it's great that you focus on so many styles of guitar players. I was hoping you'd get around to Doc and you did!
Amazing guitarists from way way way back in the day. Hard to believe this kind of advanced playing even existed back then and singing to boot. Great analysis video as usual. Keep those vids coming sir.
You really have a knack of getting to the meat of music and musicianship. These videos of yours are some of the most informative and entertaining vids on YT. Keep up the great work.
I've always enjoyed exploring different music genres in search of good talent, and Doc Watson was an early discovery for me. You are correct, I have never heard a wrong note from him. He was an amazing performer, and his recordings sound superb on vinyl!
My wife and I saw Doc on many occasions in California from the early 80's though the late 90's. The last time he was touring with David Grisman and Jack Lawerance promoting the album "Doc & Dawg". I still listen to that album regularly. Grisman has covered so much musical ground it is hard to fathom. You should listen to Grisman's "Dawg 90" and of course "Grateful Dawg" with Jerry Garcia.
Thank you for this one. I have seen a lot of famous guitarists play over the years, and I was lucky to see Doc Watson and his son Merle. They came to a small ex-movie theater in my town, sat on two straight backed chairs, and played. What impressed me, and I am not a musician so excuse me if I am wrong, is how quiet his hand was on the fret board. As he played there was a veritable symphony of notes, but his right hand kept in the same pattern, and his left hand moved up and down the neck; he was so relaxed and he never seemed to stretch or strain. He played and told stories, and was one of the best shows I have ever seen. No one I have seen has made it seem so easy.
MAB did the same thing; i.e. he veered off that road to hone his speed skills. Watson did his thing. All good. Great video and analysis, Fil. Technically, playing blind, flawlessly, and signing is very difficult. There was a TH-cam video of a guy covering Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (playing guitar and singing). One of the most technically difficult things done for a musician. The guitar intro for this song is very challenging. Singing vocals with it, wow.
I learned to play this from this video or ones like it. But to get Doc's sublime swing and super clean playing is the hard part. It's his amazing feel that jumps out.
Thanks Fil, your thoughtful comments and analysis are a real treat. I especially appreciate you noting the IMMENSE amount of practice required to even get to performance level. It takes unusual dedication to extract that time from one's life. Rock on Fil!
I have learned to appreciate so many styles of guitar and singing listening to your evaluations. I didn't know he was blind. Thank you so much! You are great!
Fil,.. You have done it again! You are 100% class act Brother.. Doc was the very best in his genre.. Your knowledge of music, in my opinion is outstanding, keep them coming! Maybe you should have a look at Tony Rice.. Blessings Brother
It is good to see Doc Watson's talents still appreciated. His flat picking was just as accurate and tasteful as his fingerpicking. Two to listen to, if you can find them, are Beaumont Rag (The Essential Doc Watson) and Double File and Salt Creek (Memories). Also, this version of Deep River Blues shows Doc playing it in the fashion of his early days. He slides the note here, and in later times bends the same note instead. No matter...I cannot duplicate either myself.
Awesome, Fil! I grew up in Elizabethton, TN, just over the mountain from Deep Gap. Pre- his Newport break (late 50s early 60s), Doc used to busk on the street corner on the weekends there. I can remember him and his cigar box. Beginning late in the 70s would see him regularly at The Down Home Pickin' Parlor (the original name) in Johnson City, TN. The 'Home is a great intimate 75 seat room. I have seen many greats there over the years. Doc at least 5 times, New Grass Revival 3-4 times, The Metropolitan Blues All-Stars every time they were there, Townes, Emmy Lou, the list is endless... Oh yeah, Sam Bush April Fools Day, this year. Great venue. Did I say, intimate? Check it out. Sitting at the feet of a legend. Doc Watson - Deep River Blues - The Down Home Johnson City TN 12-30-2009 th-cam.com/video/My1DwPlFF90/w-d-xo.html RIP Doc (and Merle). Thanks. Cheers, and Thanks, Fil! Sonny, Monte, and Doc in a week? What's next? David Grissom? Tab Beniot??? lolol
Ric Heaton Nice to see someone on here so close to where I live (Johnson City). What are the best venues in over here to see some rock/metal acts as well as to see some local bands?
Arnett, honestly, I just would not know. I've lived in Raleigh, NC since '82, and shows at The Down Home, and the Rhythm n Roots Festival in Bristol in September, are pretty much what music I see there. Here in Raleigh, with 3 major universities(and suspect around ETSU in JC), there are tons of rock (and I assume metal. not my thing) venues. Just saw John Hiatt with Sonny Landreth/Goners here in a really nice 600 seat venue, last month. Sorry I have no info for you. But, if you are new to the JC area, I would say, seek out Ridgewood Barbeque, Watauga Lake, Elk River Falls(in Elk Park, NC)... & this place, of course downhome.com/ I recommend the Nachos... lol Good Luck
Blues with a twang Thinking about the 'Home spurred some memories. Saw these guys every time I could, over the years. (defunct now) Tons of fun prattle between tunes and Caroline Dahl on piano n Rodney Hatfield on Harp, my absolute favorite. The Metropolitan Blues All-Stars Night Patrol th-cam.com/video/UAX6rNr25pU/w-d-xo.html Blues Harmonica Solo th-cam.com/video/_bbE5DX5Gx8/w-d-xo.html and he's a pretty good artist, too www.selbyfleetwoodgallery.com/artists/statement_and_bio/rodney_hatfield Cheers!
This is so great. I live in JC and got to see Doc a few times at The Down Home. Even got to have a convo with him and my buddies and he said we should start a band if we are into good music like that.
I got to know and spend a lot of time with Doc the last 10 yrs of his life. The first time I went to his house, after spending a couple of hrs with him and Rosa Lee, I said "Mr. Watson, it's okay to say no but I'm going to kick myself if I leave and don't ask if you'd mind playing a song." He jumped up - almost as if he'd been waiting for me to ask - to get his guitar. I got a personal 1 on 1 concert from Doc Watson that went on for 45 minutes to an hour. This was after having spent 2-3 hrs with him. It was amazing!!!
Towards the end of my personal concert, I said to him, "Mr. Watson, I thought that I'd walk into your house and see Grammy awards all over the walls". He said "There in a spare bedroom that we've turned into an office, behind a pile of junk mail I've been meaning to throw away."
Tom Bryant - thanks for sharing your experience with Doc! I wish I could have met him like you had! 😀
Tom, I've envied many people for many things, but very few match what I'd give to what you did. You're a lucky man.
I miss Doc so much. Merlefest isn't the same every year without him. He was the most down to earth man I'd ever met. He taught me many things over the years from childhood into adulthood. He was an amazing and talented man who is deeply missed.
Tom, great story !! What a gift, and a wonderful experience.
Reading y’alls comments it makes me homesick for Boone, I’m happy in Japan and have been ever since I voted against Jesse Helms and saw the outcome. But times like these Reading your comments. I wish I were there.
Doc Watson actually kind of changed my life.
Long story short, I came home in the back of a police car when I was 14. This was about the same time I started playing guitar, my Dad started spending more time with me and Doc Watson was in town shortly afterward. My Dad and I saw Doc Watson any time he was anywhere close to where we lived until my Dad past away.
You are in line with many. This seems to be a common statement “doc changed my life”. What better can be said about a person ♥️♥️
Such a great guy to see perform in person. I saw Doc and Merle Watson on the Green in Hartford one weekend and it was magical. At the end of the concert, they were getting ready for encore, and I shouted out, 'Tennessee Stud', and Doc said, 'You guessed it'. That made my night...
Besides his unearthly dexterity, rock-steady timing and great voice his use of dynamics was unmatched.
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Wow! Pulling Doc Watson out of yesteryear. Very impressive how you can break down his style and see thing maybe others (myself included) don't see. I've seen Doc play probably a hundred times and about all I could do is stand in awe. Great job man, really good.
Thanks!
Thanks for covering Doc. He was a humble country gentleman and never bragged on himself. Loving your website even more.
No problem!
I really dig how you do videos on all different kinds of music. Another good video.
Thanks!
Sorry for anotber comment: , maybe this is something Tommy Emmanuel listen long time ago to start play finger picking ....maybe
That’s exactly what I was going to say. Very much enjoy these videos.
@@tormaks I know Tommy states he was influenced by Chet Atkins and Merle Travis who were famous country finger style. Doc was actually more well known for his flat picking. See his song "Black Mountain Rag" which was a fiddle tune that he played on guitar.
@@MrJacksjb thanks for info. maybe Jorma Kaukonen was a fan.
I am extremely glad you’re doing more acoustic players. Doc is outstanding in that he was of the first people to translate fiddle melodies to the flatpicked guitar, but he actually started his professional career as an electric guitarist. He played a Les Paul.
No problem!
One of the greats !
Wow ! Thanks for reviewing Doc Arthel Lane Watson. He is my favorite musician. He was a great flatpicker and fingerstyle guitarist and vocalist. He also played a fine old style banjo and harmonica and a little mandolin. Most importantly he was a great man according to those who new him. I love your respect and the joy on you face when you are reviewing these videos of these great musicians----thanks again.
No problem!
Wonderful. I took one listen to this track on vinyl way back in 1964 and thought 'I want to play like that' . Much practice and a few years and I won a TV talent quest with it down here in OZ. I used the 'vamped or muted bass' and 2 fingers (never thought of one) using finger picks. Also love Doc's singing and flat picking. In many ways he pioneered bluegrass lead flat picking along with Clarence White and others. These led to the likes of Tony Rice, Norman Blake etc. He was a wonderful cross picker with the pick too. He played electric in a country band in his early says. A national treasure. Was lucky to see him perform and meet him at the 2004 Merlefest. :)
I absolutely love this performance. I actually posted this very video to Facebook several years ago. Doc Watson was so so good.
Cool!
I discovered Doc on L.A.public radio when I was in High School in the late 60s-loved him and still do. Love how respectful and reverent your presentation is.
Leo Kotke tells a story of being on stage with Doc Watson. He finished tuning his guitar, then Doc reaches over and tweaks the high E. As Leo tells it, he's never been able to get that string tuned right since.
Saw Leo play in the middle of the woods in some old tiny abandon church in Delhi NY. His playing was incredible that night -- what an experience!
At one point, he said "This is one of the most horrifying places I've ever been to in my life, let alone played at -- its like sleepy hollow meets the evil dead."
After the show we stayed at a motel that looked like a setting for a triple homicide! It was definatly a breeding grounds for serial killers.
Although, great finger pickin and horn slide from Leo!
Haha nice!
Ron Thomason of Dry Branch Fire Squad bluegrass band tells of the surreal experience of going to see Doc at his home in Deep Gap, NC. After driving up the long, gravel driveway to his remote abode, there's Doc on the roof of his humble home, adjusting the T.V. antenna.
I love it!
Good one! Had a blind teacher for music appreciation long ago. It was amazing all the subtle differences in sound he could detect!
This is one of my favorite videos you have done! Thank you for pointing out things that never would have caught before. One and the other aspects of Doc Watson is flatpicking. He has such a clean quick technique with an equally impressive melody. I think that's my favorite part of Doc Watson I like to listen to. Thanks again!
No problem!
I knew Doc pretty well. We weren't BFFs or anything, but we were friends and worked together occasionally. We never got to really play music together, although I used to pick a bit with his grandson, Richard on occasion for fun.
Doc practiced CONSTANTLY. I've never seen a guy practice so much. I think the only time he was ever without a guitar in hand or one nearby was at the local barber shop. If he was without an instrument within arms reach, he was generally a bit fidgety and grumpy. He would bore of conversation easily (unless he was telling stories); as he just wanted to play.
His hands were better than eyes. He could touch a piece of wood and tell you exactly, in detail, what it was. His ears were so good he could recognize you, by name, via your footsteps.
If I can't find you on Facebook, you find me and I'll tell you some stories!.... 🤘
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neat stories, I love Doc's music.
Stories like these are amazing. Thank you for sharing. I am a huge fan of docs, but I’m only 22 years old. Will be showing my kids a lot of doc one day. Thanks again
Doc has a very special and intricate way of guitar playing that is really neat and all his own...infinite kudos indeed.
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I think you will find that it was not 'all his own' and in fact the great Merle Travis also used that playing style, they both could play with just a thumb and one finger what it took other great guitarist a thumb and three or even four fingers to do.
+Ron Ryan Well, you certainly can't say Doc SAW Merle Travis doing it!!!
I did not say that Doc' copied Merle, I just stated that the style that Doc' used was not 'all his own' (as you said), and I would bet that if you go back to the 1930's there were Blues players who also used the same method albeit without a thumb pick. I met and talked with John Lee Hooker and watched him play here in England in the Sixties, and he played with just his thumb and one finger (without a pick), so the style was and still is widely used.
Ron Ryan That’s one of the reasons he named his son Merle.
I was privileged to hear Doc live on many, many occasions, perhaps as many as 50 times, sometimes in really small venues with less than 200 people. I met and spoke with him on a handful of occasions and he was just an old boy from NC. My brother played the cuts from "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" album and he was in town that night in '73. Never missed him again until he stopped touring anytime he came to town, which was at least yearly. I have some great stories of him. My favorite was being on the front row of the hall (as usual), about 3 feet from the stage and he sat about 3-4 feet back - we were behind the speaker array so we actually heard the real guitar and the amplification was behind us... time came for the show and nothing, plue five minutes, ten minutes and his grandson walked him out and he sat down and settled himself and said, "Well, I thought someone was going to be out here to introduce me, but, well, I reckon you know who I am. If you came tonight expecting some sort of fancy show, well, you're gonna be disappointed, but if you just want to hear and old feller sit here and pick a guitar like he was in your living room, well, we're going to have a good time." And he launched into a solo performance of, of all things, "Knights in White Satin," and it was one of the most moving and stunning moments of my rich musical life. Doc was a national treasure!
I just found out Doc Watson had an honorary Doctorate in Music. Doc really was a Doctor!
When they recorded Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Doc played a take on a particular song first time through dead solid perfect. The engineers had to ask him to do it again because they didn't have the equipment all set up. Which he did, dead perfectly. You can recognize his tone and attack while flatpicking almost immediately it is so clean and true, solid. I read somewhere that he was sighted at birth but lost his vision to some disease in childhood. RIP Doc.
Age 5. I THINK.
My favorite part of that recording is a snippet overheard between songs where Merle Travis & Doc Watson meet for the first time. As the technique in this video shows, Travis was a huge influence on Doc, but their paths hadn't crossed before. Travis says something along the lines of "I sure do admire your fine guitar picking, Doc," and Doc replies, "I like yours so much, I named my boy after you."
I love Doc, grew up with that kinda music. I really appreciate my dad playing guitar for me when I was little.
Love Doc, what a treasure he was. Glad to see this.
Doc Watson's cover of Matty Groves is brilliant. Excellent video again!!!
Thanks!
I had the honor and pleasure of seeing Doc and his son Merle at least 6 times. Ohio University in Athens Ohio was on the folk/blues circuit. What you can't see here was Doc's humor. He joked constantly...a total showman. Leo Kottke is the same way...a joke or wise crack and then off they go...and the sound live from 10 or 15 feet away !
Cool!
Ty for this in depth break down. I don’t know a thing about playing a guitar, and you taught me some of the technical reasons I like his. All I know is when I have doc and his son Merle playing, it doesn’t matter what kind of crappy day I’ve had, it’ll have me toe tappin and smiling from ear to ear. They were those kind of people. There’s some old footage of doc and Merle (docs son) together. Look for stuff prior to merle’s passing in 85. Merle was as good as doc and said to be one of the best slide guitar players as well. You’ll have to get back to me and see what you think 😉
I loved him and saw him live many times. He was so good, and so perfect in his playing. It was astonishing.
Jesus christ, in every Doc Watson video, everyone in the comments were a friend of doc watson
"Don't believe everything you see on the internet." - Abe Lincoln
He grew up just down the road and I got to see it,so good
Sir Fil, you are certainly a virtuoso with your ability to dissect and communicate things on a deep and profound level.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for these videos.
Wow! I never knew he used a thumb and one finger.
I saw Doc Watson perform live exactly once, at Café Hibou in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on October 15, 1969. The Who were playing at the Capitol Theatre that night (4 months before Live at Leeds). I tried to get in but it was sold out, so I decided to go to le Hibou instead. I had never heard of Doc Watson. I was blown away.
Cool!
I saw Doc several times in the 70's and 80's, and I was never disappointed. I'm a long-time guitar player myself, and while I never actually handled one of his guitars, I was told that Doc's high E string was something like a .13 or .14, so he's playing with pretty heavy strings. There are lots of players with the dexterity and independence to play this song who still can't reproduce the fullness of Doc's sound, and I believe that the string gauge has a lot to do with it.
Definitely! But I havent't gone over .12 myself!
My mother had a 1930s Bauer - a relatively small guitar with really deep resonant sound. The big difference is the really thin wood compared to modern acoustic guitars.
Happy to have seen him many times in the states. He was such an excellent and personable person. Glad you explored his music. Norman Blake was another of the states great innovators of southern playing.
Cool!
Yeah, I've seen Norman Blake too, many times at small venues... amazing. Sitting eight feet away right in front of the sound hole! Doc was an original and Merle was no slouch either.
Love some Bluegrass! Started playing it back in 93 and still find myself ringing out some Foggy Mountain Breakdown to this day. I'm primarily into Blues now, but Grass will always be in my heart good job my friend.
Thanks!
I havent thought about Doc in a while,thanks wings! The world needs more Doc Watsons, God bless him
No problem!
Tony Rice is another great Blue Grass player
Agreed! I believe there are some videos out there of Doc and Tony playing together.
Tony is the best flat picker of all time is the G.O.A.T. For sure !!!!
I had the opportunity of playing Tony’s guitar but definitely no magic in my hands
My dad loved Docs picking and shared his music because he knew how good he was and I’m happy to see Doc here on your channel
We played a show with Tony once, one of the most memorable shows of my life.
I adore Doc Watson. His pickin' was just as good as it could get. His playing and singing still get to me so deeply - and Deep River Blues is one of those songs that many guitar players try to play. It's a classic. I wish he didn't have to leave us. He is so missed. Words fail me here in trying to say how I feel. He was a national treasure. And, one more thing, he only had one son, Merle, who died in 1985 in a tractor accident, had played with his dad for a long time. Doc was able to keep going and I don't know how. I don't think I could have done that. The heartbreak. Jack Lawrence and Doc's grandson helped him to overcome.
Doc said in an interview, when Merle died, the heart went out of him.
@@vilstef6988 It pains me to think of what Doc went through.
Im country the last 60 yrs absolutely enjoy your commentary on all musicians,love your stuff as well cheers mate
I've been looking forward to you reacting to Doc Watson for a while. I've been listening to Doc for more than thirty years. He's the single biggest influence on how I play guitar.
Cool!
Doc is legendary. Your analysis of his playing was very good, but that aside, I noticed that the whole time Doc is playing there is a smile of your face which is the reaction that his playing brings to most everybody I know.
Yeah!
This two-finger technique was called Travis-picking. It was made popular by Merle Travis. Peter, Paul, and Mary were also using this quite a lot. Doc Watson mastered it, but he was not the inventor. I am pretty sure that this was an old folk style discovered by multiple people long time ago...
One of the first was Maybelle Carter, originator of the "Carter scratch." Her version was slightly different in that she put the finger pick over the nail on her index finger and "frailed" the strings, as opposed to picking them.
Robert Johnson?
Yea there was a female old black blues lady I cant think of her name but she played the two finger technique so no telling how far back it goes
@@paulfoster8404Elizabeth Cotton? < Let’s not forget later fingerpicking masters like Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler. >
@@susanalexander6721Mississippi John Hurt played nice alternating bass guitar.
Doc Watson was one of the most unappreciated artists of all time! Im so glad that you included him on your videos! Kudos!
No problem!
Enjoyed this post very much. Have listened to Doc Watson ever since I was a little boy. A very great talent.
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As always a great breakdown 👍. The respect you have for the legends that came before is a refreshing change.
This was pure joy, what a lot of fun to watch him and to think that his blindness he overcame. I mean to say that it wasn't an obstacle really for him and he proved what years of hard work can ultimately produce, awesomeness♡
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Truly love your appreciation for the music no matter what genre the fact you appreciate what they are doing 100% props
Doc Watson is my favorite guitarist. The most innovative, best ear, just a real wizard. Thanks to "wings" for recognizing so many unknown and early artists. A very nice and respectful guy. Yeah...Doc was a "monster" Unreal. They all copied him.
Who is the pretty blond girl in a wheelchair in photo following Wings of Pegasus analysis of Doc Watson
I love learning about awesome guitar people. Thank you
Your breakdown and analysis are thoughtful and insightful, in my opinion. When you hear his voice, you hear Love. RIP Doc.
Amen.
Doc Watson, a treasure here in my state (North Carolina) and not just as a brilliant guitar player in many folk styles including this Piedmont Blues playing, but a genuine kind hearted man. NC has been blessed with many folk with great talent. Earl Scruggs, Charlie Poole, Doc Watson, Blind Boy Fuller, and many more.
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@@wingsofpegasus Almost forgot Link Wray who was born in Dunn, NC and a member of the Lumbee Indian Tribe.
Was fortunate to see Doc and Merle perform in the Appalachian State University gym in 1973 after Doc received an honorary degree earlier that day. A highlight of my life.
You know as a budding young guitarist, I felt it was important to point out what the greats did that was “wrong” so I could develop a solid foundation of the fundamentals. Now that I’m quite a bit better at guitar, I appreciate what you’re doing a lot more. There are so many ways to approach the guitar that I am only just starting to approach. It’s like starting over, but it’s also super refreshing. I guess my point is, I really appreciate what you’re doing here.
Mr Lonesome Mountain Blues. ..Doc is a ICON
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Another great analysis video. Coming from a rock/metal background, I hadn't heard Doc Watson before now.
Impressive technique indeed.
Now I'm off to find out more.
Every day's a school day.
Thanks Fil.
Thanks Gary!
Gary Laverty Black Mountain Rag and Nashville Pickin
@@stephens9462 cheers mate, I'll go check them out.
Thank you for your work on these videos, I just found you yesterday and kind if binged on them. I last played in junior High and was not very good but have always loved music. I love that you are showing the older players, and sharing them with us I hope I find something on Robert Johnson here also. i know he did not start the blues but I think he was one of the first to be revered for his playing and singing of the blues.
You are right it's Appalachian bass line playing, some say. Some people don't know he hurt his right hand when he was a boy and though he recovered I think that is where he discovered that cool muting. Peter Tork could completely replicate Doc in his own teaching videos. I am so glad you are showing these and laying it down about how much work it is to get as rev Peyton says Front Porch Trained.
No problem!
I was blessed to grow up with Doc (and Merle) in my living room whenever they were in town. He was friends with my parents and you can hear Doc mention my dad on the Legacy double CD. And you’re sort of right Fil about his nickname, but he told us that it was during his first stage performance playing electric(!) rockabilly at a dance that his friend was introducing him onstage and said, “We can’t call you Arthel...” and an audience member shouted “call him Doc.” But Doc was known to tell different versions of the same story pretty often.
I saw him last about a month before his death with my adult sons. I was only five when I met him!
I’d *love* to see you do a video on Merle Watson’s slide guitar playing. I really like your analysis.
Rose Zingleman the stories people share is part of why Fil's channel is so special. What special memories, thank you!
So glad you met him . Whatva gift from god he was 😊
I shared you with the Doc Watson group on Facebook. It was much enjoyed. Your respect for unique talent is wonderful. I love each and every one.
Thanks!
I lived in Boulder Colorado in the 70's and 80's. There was a small club in the downtown area called the Blue Note. I got to see Doc along with his son Merle and the bass player T. Michael Coleman a couple of times. What a great show they put on. One of those times I was in the local guitar shop that was just around the corner from the club browsing the guitars there. Toward the back of the shop I heard an unmistakable sound of bluegrass flatpicking and a small crowd. Sitting there on a stool were the three of them. I got to meet them that day, something I'll never forget. Such a kind man. I know this video was about him fingerpicking but watch one of his video's when he is flatpicking. It is incredible to see.
Doc Watson is the Poster Child of real American music ! When it comes to American folk style mountain music , he is the King ! The guitar is his voice , in addition to the fact his vocals blend so perfect with his guitar . I learned this tune after I heard Doc do it the first time , it just stuck with me , and I had to learn it . I will never be able to do it as good as him ! He is the Master !
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Lived in Boone, North Carolina for years in the late ‘70s when Boone was a tiny university hippie town. We used to see Doc and Merle regularly. Just down the mountain Merlefest has grown so big. Great stuff. Great times.
Doc has been my musical hero since I started playing as a kid in the 1970's. Saw him play at least a dozen times and opened for him once. He was the real deal. Thanks for posting.
No problem!
Another great analysis from Wings.
I saw Doc about 8 times over several decades-amazing musician
Doc started out as a one man band playing on the streets in his region of N. Carolina. That may have been the factor that inspired him to try and maintain continuity/synchrony between the playing and singing that you discuss. He was a remarkable man! As you mentioned, he could produce that clear vibrant sound on a guitar that few others could match. He was quite intelligent and had a diverse interest in music of all types. As a child he attended a school for the blind for several years away from home. This was a similar experience to another great blind American musician Ray Charles. I often wondered if these two great musicians, of the same approx. time period, knew much of each other's work or even got together at some point?
When he died Bob Dylan said something like "he could play guitar like water running" In a current top bluegrass tune "The Guitar Song" played and sung by Del McCoury and Joe Mullins, Del mentions playing with the great man at a festival in Calif. and Joe chimes in..."Doc Watson was the coolest" That about sums him up!
Another great guitarist you may want to examine (you probably know about him already but I'll mention) was Wes Montgomery. To me, Wes was the greatest jazz guitarist. He had some unusual methods too....playing with his thumb (sorry I'm not a player, just a listener, so don't know all the specifics)
Doc had an interesting biography "Blind But Now I See" written by Kent Gustavson. Keep up the good work Pegasus!
Thanks!
I saw Doc Watson performing at Merle Fest in the late 90's. The group I was there with heard some playing from outside a big tent that was set up to see it was Doc Watson on the stage playing. Another great performance from that weekend was Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. That was one of the best shows that I've seen live in my life.
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Sweet. Great times for sure!
I discovered Doc Watson through Tony Polocastro's Acustic Tuesday you tube show a few years ago, and it just made me think how I wasted many years just strumming when I could have learned this stile I am 65 in July I don't have 10 years to learn Doc's
Style but I am enjoying his legacy he would have been 100 this week
A great musician my God bless him
Thanks for recognizing this amazing artist Doc was purely original I've always loved his work.
Wow, love Doc Watson. Check out a rare video of Doc, Leo Kottke and Chet Atkins playing " The last steam engine". Tragically Doc lost his son and playing partner Merle in a tractor accident. Love them both.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks Fil! Really appreciate it! Doc's flat picking is also stellar! I've been pretty lucky to get to hang with several awesome bands with some serious talent here in Texas, of all different styles, and like you said the amount of practice is unbelievable. I have even known a couple of guys that actually slept with their guitars and if they woke up they would practice a lick or two. Sadly for Doc, he lost his son Merle in a tractor accident in 1985 and he was awesome in his own right. Thanks again Fil! edit; Check out Merle Travis when you get a chance!
No problem!
Great musician and acoustic guitarist. Fortunate to have heard him in person around 2000, shortly before he passed.
Just a great tone and sound. Warm and inviting.
I love how you appreciate such a variety of genres. May your tribe increase.
Great job man, love Doc Watson! Really enjoy your videos.
Thanks!
I like to imagine being on one of my kayak/canoe trips .. camping over night on some remote sandbar on the Arkansas river between Ponca City and Tulsa. Having good old Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs to play and sing with around the campfire. My imagination is running wild.
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Weird, but I was thinking about Earl Scruggs during the clip. Scrolled down to this comment. Nice, now I know where the rest of my evening's going.
I love how you get so excited over another guitarist - your appreciation of their talent is so evident...
My best friend is a banjo and bluegrass lover since the late 80's. I was a closet bluegrass fan then too, but a metal head then. I came out many years ago and love all types of music. Im glad my friend showed me Bill Monroe, Jen's Kruger, Bella Fleck, Dan Crary, etc; Del McCoury and most of all David Grisman.
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Wonderful, refreshing. Years and years and years of attaining muscle memory, especially for Doc.
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Love Doc Watson and his son who sadly died in a tractor accident on the family farm.Both amazing players.
Amen.
He named his son after Merle Travis and so did Chet Atkins
I saw Doc and Merle in the 70's at the sub at MSU in Bozeman Montana, I was a dream I was in a band binging on will the circle be unbroken album. We were inspired !! as they started the show some members of the audience were being boisterous, he stopped playing and said if you don't listen your going to miss part of the song. That worked and we didn't part of any song. Doc set me free
I got to see him and was amazed how he could mix playing and singing so well and intermingle guitar leads with both so naturally. Very hard and rare. Most folks sing and play separately.
Good one! I've been studying and playing doc's arrangements for 20 years! My right hand is still not even close.
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Good digging Fil. Far too few know of Arthel "Doc" Watson.
Doc was one of the first to place the acoustic guitar in a lead position in traditional Appalachian American Folk music.
He learned fiddle parts on the guitar because his early bands didn't have a fiddle player.
His son Merle was a world class picker himself. The two of them together made some of my favorite trad. albums.
Merle died tragically and far too young in 1985.
Merlefest, the most prestigious and world renown "Bluegrass and more" festival, held the last weekend in April for the last 30 years, is named in his honor.
Doc Watson played every festival, until his death in 2012, and was still a wonder to hear at age 88.
BTW Merlefest is a bucket list worthy 4 days of American and World traditional music, in beautiful Western North Carolina, at the piedmont of the Appalachian Mtns, that you will never forget.
And Doc played Martins mostly and some Gibsons in his early career. He picked up Tennessee made Gallagher Guitars in the late 60's. Mostly played Gallaghers after that. They made a signature Doc Watson model. But you know how guitar players are. If they have more than one, they will have a favorite and then a few more they go back to once in a while. Who gives away old Martins and Gibsons?
Yep!
He was trying to replace the fiddle with his guitar. Flat picking was invented.
Fil, I know the skill Doc showed, as a blind guitarist, was impressive but just think of his earlier "career." He lost his sight at about the age of three to an illness. Before he became successful with music, he supported his family cutting firewood... and he still had all his fingers when his musical career took off!!
My family got to know him when he played in Cotati, CA and my sister had a little music shop in the building where they played. Doc, Merle, and Michael Coleman worked together then with Michael on the Fender Fret-less bass. Merle had a song where he added a steel slide in the middle of the piece and he would grab a Craftsman 5/8" socket from the guitar case and use that. One night he pulled the socket from the case and slipped it on his finger only to find that it was full of axle grease!! Michael was trying really hard to look innocent but those of us who know them better just cracked up. You just knew that Merle would deal with that later! ;^)
Great video of the legendary Doc Watson. Your videos are very informative and your appreciation of different musical genres is apparent.
Doc lived about 20 miles east of me in N Wilkesboro NC, and after his son passed away he started a festival called Merlefest. It quickly became one of the largest bluegrass festivals around bringing artists from all over. Every year folks make the journey to Merlefest to enjoy great music and a few other things this part of the country is noted for ;-) Side note, his nephew (or cousin I can't remember which) decided he wanted to play the mandolin so he purchased a used one from the pawn shop. Within two weeks he was playing along with several old bluegrass songs... (did I forget to mention that he was mentally challenged???) I still think some folks are just born with a gift, they still have to practice, but it almost has to be in their genes :-) Excellent video Mr WoP!!!
Thanks Brian!
Thank you so much for your usual great reaction , this time on Doc Watson!! I’ve always felt people never appreciated how good he was , especially considering he was blind. I loved your comment on people just passing on musicL talent as being a gift ( which may be true to a Sama degree), and not realizing how much work and practice goes into reaching that level!! I think a greater gift is the ability to be able to have that type of work ethic needed to reach that skill set . I can truly appreciate that because it took me 2-3 years to be able to learn orange blossom special on the harmonica well enough to play it on stage. Once again great job!,
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Thanks!
Thank you for this wonderful video and your explanation of all that music and your compliments to Doc, he really deserves it.
You are so correct about the practice time that needs to be put in. Doc is one of the greatest ever.
Thanks!
Doc Watson actually changed my way of guitar playing, i have been playing with eyes shut since 1980. As a Busker I had people say 'You can't play with closed eyes, prople will steal your kitty, and Yes, in California, people will steal from a Busker and then Brag about it on Facebook. I took Music at Baylor University, Waco Texas, in 1958-1960, but this was Violin Lessons; in 1963 I took Guitar Lessons and by 1965 Grandmother bought me a Gibson ES 330 and a Gretsch 10 Watts amplifier, but after Crosby-Stills-Nash record I bought a Epiphone Round Shoulder Acoustic 1958 model and played Acoustic .
great job fil. Saw doc a couple of times at the bottom line in nyc. Always fantastic, great video and presentation.
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Very cool; I love Doc Watson. I saw him twice; the first time he was playing with his son Merle Watson, who tragically died as a young man. You probably know this; Doc often played with a flat pick as well as his finger-picking style. He was also a skilled banjo player and no slouch on the harmonica either. As someone else pointed out below, it's great that you focus on so many styles of guitar players. I was hoping you'd get around to Doc and you did!
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Amazing guitarists from way way way back in the day. Hard to believe this kind of advanced playing even existed back then and singing to boot.
Great analysis video as usual. Keep those vids coming sir.
You really have a knack of getting to the meat of music and musicianship. These videos of yours are some of the most informative and entertaining vids on YT. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Sid!
I've always enjoyed exploring different music genres in search of good talent, and Doc Watson was an early discovery for me. You are correct, I have never heard a wrong note from him. He was an amazing performer, and his recordings sound superb on vinyl!
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My wife and I saw Doc on many occasions in California from the early 80's though the late 90's. The last time he was touring with David Grisman and Jack Lawerance promoting the album "Doc & Dawg". I still listen to that album regularly. Grisman has covered so much musical ground it is hard to fathom. You should listen to Grisman's "Dawg 90" and of course "Grateful Dawg" with Jerry Garcia.
Thank you for this one. I have seen a lot of famous guitarists play over the years, and I was lucky to see Doc Watson and his son Merle. They came to a small ex-movie theater in my town, sat on two straight backed chairs, and played. What impressed me, and I am not a musician so excuse me if I am wrong, is how quiet his hand was on the fret board.
As he played there was a veritable symphony of notes, but his right hand kept in the same pattern, and his left hand moved up and down the neck; he was so relaxed and he never seemed to stretch or strain. He played and told stories, and was one of the best shows I have ever seen. No one I have seen has made it seem so easy.
Cool!
MAB did the same thing; i.e. he veered off that road to hone his speed skills. Watson did his thing. All good. Great video and analysis, Fil. Technically, playing blind, flawlessly, and signing is very difficult. There was a TH-cam video of a guy covering Red Hot Chili Peppers - Snow (playing guitar and singing). One of the most technically difficult things done for a musician. The guitar intro for this song is very challenging. Singing vocals with it, wow.
Thanks!
I learned to play this from this video or ones like it. But to get Doc's sublime swing and super clean playing is the hard part. It's his amazing feel that jumps out.
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Thanks Fil, your thoughtful comments and analysis are a real treat. I especially appreciate you noting the IMMENSE amount of practice required to even get to performance level. It takes unusual dedication to extract that time from one's life. Rock on Fil!
Great break down. Thanks. Doc was a national treasure.
No problem!
I have learned to appreciate so many styles of guitar and singing listening to your evaluations. I didn't know he was blind. Thank you so much! You are great!
Thanks!
Fil,.. You have done it again! You are 100% class act Brother.. Doc was the very best in his genre.. Your knowledge of music, in my opinion is outstanding, keep them coming! Maybe you should have a look at Tony Rice.. Blessings Brother
Thanks Sam, will do!
It is good to see Doc Watson's talents still appreciated. His flat picking was just as accurate and tasteful as his fingerpicking. Two to listen to, if you can find them, are Beaumont Rag (The Essential Doc Watson) and Double File and Salt Creek (Memories). Also, this version of Deep River Blues shows Doc playing it in the fashion of his early days. He slides the note here, and in later times bends the same note instead. No matter...I cannot duplicate either myself.
He is playing iconic blues rifts...I love his muring of the strings at the right time...I play with finger picking as well. This guy is a wonder!
Awesome, Fil!
I grew up in Elizabethton, TN, just over the mountain from Deep Gap. Pre- his Newport break (late 50s early 60s), Doc used to busk on the street corner on the weekends there. I can remember him and his cigar box. Beginning late in the 70s would see him regularly at The Down Home Pickin' Parlor (the original name) in Johnson City, TN. The 'Home is a great intimate 75 seat room. I have seen many greats there over the years. Doc at least 5 times, New Grass Revival 3-4 times, The Metropolitan Blues All-Stars every time they were there, Townes, Emmy Lou, the list is endless... Oh yeah, Sam Bush April Fools Day, this year. Great venue.
Did I say, intimate? Check it out. Sitting at the feet of a legend.
Doc Watson - Deep River Blues - The Down Home Johnson City TN 12-30-2009
th-cam.com/video/My1DwPlFF90/w-d-xo.html
RIP Doc (and Merle). Thanks.
Cheers, and Thanks, Fil!
Sonny, Monte, and Doc in a week? What's next? David Grissom? Tab Beniot??? lolol
Ric Heaton Nice to see someone on here so close to where I live (Johnson City). What are the best venues in over here to see some rock/metal acts as well as to see some local bands?
Arnett, honestly, I just would not know. I've lived in Raleigh, NC since '82, and shows at The Down Home, and the Rhythm n Roots Festival in Bristol in September, are pretty much what music I see there. Here in Raleigh, with 3 major universities(and suspect around ETSU in JC), there are tons of rock (and I assume metal. not my thing) venues. Just saw John Hiatt with Sonny Landreth/Goners here in a really nice 600 seat venue, last month. Sorry I have no info for you.
But, if you are new to the JC area, I would say, seek out Ridgewood Barbeque, Watauga Lake, Elk River Falls(in Elk Park, NC)... & this place, of course
downhome.com/ I recommend the Nachos... lol
Good Luck
Ric Heaton Thank you so much. God Bless
Blues with a twang
Thinking about the 'Home spurred some memories. Saw these guys every time I could, over the years. (defunct now) Tons of fun prattle between tunes and Caroline Dahl on piano n Rodney Hatfield on Harp, my absolute favorite.
The Metropolitan Blues All-Stars
Night Patrol
th-cam.com/video/UAX6rNr25pU/w-d-xo.html
Blues Harmonica Solo
th-cam.com/video/_bbE5DX5Gx8/w-d-xo.html
and he's a pretty good artist, too
www.selbyfleetwoodgallery.com/artists/statement_and_bio/rodney_hatfield
Cheers!
This is so great. I live in JC and got to see Doc a few times at The Down Home. Even got to have a convo with him and my buddies and he said we should start a band if we are into good music like that.