From the NYT: "Doc Watson, the guitarist and folk singer whose flat-picking style elevated the acoustic guitar to solo status in bluegrass and country music, and whose interpretations of traditional American music profoundly influenced generations of folk and rock guitarists, died on Tuesday in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was 89."
A lot of good memories. Hard to believe he was 89.
Doc was a neighbor and all around good guy.
Anyone who doubts how well he could play, check out this video. This is just him sitting in the shop of another local yokel.
Telling My Troubles to My Old Guitar
Larry P
The last time I saw Doc Watson this was the song he started the show with. After the introduction applause died down he launched flat footed into Shady Grove so clear strong and beautiful in the cold desert night it made me shudder. The memory makes me shudder now. Thanks Doc. Rest in Peace.
[flash width=420 height=315] http://www.youtube.com/v/b-kaG1NuLZM?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0 [/flash]
Doc playing in Wayne Henderson's guitar shop; that's a lot more than a couple local yokels. That's two bonafide American guitar legends right there. Thank you for that post Larry P.
Godspeed and God rest your soul Doc Watson. We will miss you.
BC
The Good Lord
has surely gotten a good band in the last few months. Doc was one of my favorites. I haven't been able to go see him for several years but I did get to see he and Merle perform together. Rest in Peace and go with God Doc.
Andy
First Earl Scruggs, then Doug Dillard and now Doc Watson. RIP Doc.
I wish I knew how many young people were exposed to acoustic and roots music by listening to the Circle album. Rock had stagnated, Greg was married to Cher, and the airwaves were full of that %$#$!! disco. Then came Doc and Vassar playing "The Black Mountain Rag". It was a cool breeze from Heaven. Rest easy, Doc. You earned it.
I installed a wooden armrest on my D-28 to be more like Doc. The idea seemed solid, but I was nervous applying aftermarket stuff to a Martin guitar. I've been listening to Doc Watson stuff all day.
With the heavenly band filling out recently, I sort of expect Tut Taylor to head that direction soon. He is also 89.
Doc is walking through heaven's gates and St Peter is giving him the big tour. He sees Earl Scruggs, and Josh Graves and Lester Flatt and a passel of the biggies hanging out, having a big time. They come around a corner and there is this big man in a white suit and a great big white cowboy hat, carrying a mandolin just bigger than life. Doc (he can see in heaven) asks St Peter, "Is that Bill Monroe?". St Peter says, "no that's God, he just thinks he is Bill Monroe."
thanks for posting that - hadn't heard that version in a long time.
RIP Doc.
Amen Alan
Doc Watson, Vassar Clements, Mother Maybelle Carter, the Nitty Grittyb Dirt Band and countless others. If there was an All Star Country Album at the time that would be it. I completely wore out my copy. I've only gad two bumper stickers on vehicles. One said "Willie Nelson for President" in 1976 and one said "Disco Sucks" in 1979.
Andy