Doc Watson, Singer!

Subject: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 10:48 AM

Much has been made-- deservedly so-- of Doc Watson's guitar-playing. The other night, though, I was describing a song to Hardi that I thought we might use in church, as I had heard Doc do it. And suddenly it hit me what a huge influence Doc Watson has been on me, as a singer. The relaxed funloving tone, the smooth but not-too-smooth phrasing, the strong emphasis in his voice on the beat-- he's just a great songleader. He puts a song over vocally. Even a capella, Doc is an artist.

How do you "hear" Doc in your singing?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 10:52 AM

The man was masterful on stage. Everything from his playing to singing to palaver to humour. He set an example (and if yer memory's still OK) and still does. I only ever saw him live once (in Montreal), and he was fantastic.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Arkie
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 01:09 PM

I have had the good fortune to see Doc in a live performance twice and since he is coming back to Mountain View with David Holt in August I am looking forward to another concert. I have always listened to and admired Doc for his singing and selection of music. Another thing I admire about Doc is that he uses his guitar to show off the music rather than using the music to show off his guitar skills.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Wesley S
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 01:23 PM

Sometimes you can tell that a singer is smiling when they sing. Doc is one of them. I've only seen him live once - but it was a perfect night of music.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 01:30 PM

We were very fortunate to see Doc and Merle live at the Newport Folk Festival of 1984.He is an honest, consummate musician and singer whom I would go to see again if he ever came near here.He gives a stirring, heartfelt performance mixed with a quiet, wry humour.A must-see performer.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 01:32 PM

It's always been his singing that I've enjoyed most. He has a way of drawing me in, of making me feel he's sharing this song with me and not anybody else.
I've never seen him perform. He was in this area a little while ago, but added fees brought the price of a $39 ticket to $52, and I couldn't bring myself to pay that.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 03:21 PM

I saw Doc in Manchester, UK back in 1965. I did know of Doc prior to the show but had never heard him ( no Amazon audio clips back then!). For some reason, I got it in to my head that he would have a very high voice - think Bill Monroe. But, much to my surprise - and great delight, he had this rich baritone voice. Wonderful stuff!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 03:33 PM

Jeez, was it 1965 he was at Manchester with Ralph Rinzler? Phil Ochs was there too, not impressive.
Time flies.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: peregrina
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 03:54 PM

One of my favourites. Doc and Clarence Ashley on Folkways must be among my most played CDs.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 04:52 PM

Doc Watson is one of the rare people whose masterful guitar playing doesn't get in the way of his singing. He's a flat-out musician! I'd pay to hear him sing the Bronx telephone directory. A capella.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 05:00 PM

Ditto what dick just said.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 05:28 PM

I've seen him four or five times, and got to shake his hand, hoping his skill would rub off on me. No such luck!

His singing is on a par with his picking which as we all agree is truly stellar.

The man can flat-out sell a song.

One of my musical heroes.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 06:01 PM

One of the highlights of my life was sitting at this man's knee, literally, while he did a concert with Jack. Amazing. I listen to his CD's all the time. I asked kytrad once about her concert with him which resulted in one of the great folk albums ever. She giggled and said he was so-o-o-o-o-o-o shy.

Wonderful singer.

Mick

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 07:43 PM

I achieved a long time ambition by seeing Doc live in Burlington VT, about eight, nine years ago. His guitar playing and singing were just as good as ever, although one tiny caveat for me was that I would have preferred his guitar to have sounded more acoustic and less "electric", but that is more of an indictment of the sound engineer than of Doc, I imagine.

My favourite Youtube video ever is Doc Watson singing and playing Deep River Blues . It shows off his amazing voice to perfection, and also highlights his ability as a fingerpicker, for which he is less well known than his flatpicking.

This video has been pulled repeatedly, presumably for copyright reasons, but it is up there at the moment.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 07:45 PM

I wish I could do with ten fingers what that man can do with one flatpick.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Big Mick
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 07:51 PM

Watching that video made me wish Rick was still here. He would have analyzed the thumb and one finger, the type of guitar, his singing style..... and it would have been wonderful. He would absolutely have been a youtube nut. I can see him just cruising these videos for hours.

Mick

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 09:17 PM

I've been fortunate enough to see him several times, at the Winfield festival. The man is just amazing...he makes it all look so easy. Relaxed, calm...just does his thing.

His flat picked Black Mountain Rag just simply can't be bettered.

Susan, have you heard him do When Shall We See Jesus? I have both the words and the music, if you'd like them. (Shape note song)

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: topical tom
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 10:17 PM

We were very fortunate to see Doc and Merle live at the Newport Folk Festival of 1984.He is an honest, consummate musician and singer whom I would go to see again if he ever came near here.He gives a stirring, heartfelt performance mixed with a quiet, wry humour.A must-see performer.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: clueless don
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 08:29 AM

There are a lot of songs that when I think of that song, I think of Doc's version. Particularly his version of "Froggie went a' courtin'", which I used to sing to my daughter (leaving out the verse where the frog is eaten by the snake.)

Don

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: Richie
Date: 14 Mar 08 - 08:39 PM

Susan,

I've learned many songs from Doc and besides playing with him a few times have watched him play live at least a dozen times.

IMHO Doc is a great singer. He sings in a straight forward manner with a warm tone. He has good range, can yodel, and sings different vocal parts when called for.

Even though his voice isn't particularly distinctive, it's very good and often overlooked.

I miss Doc.

Richie

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: samirich
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 05:59 PM

If you are a baritone, as most of us are and can sing a note, then surely you have spent untold hours singing along with Doc. As for accapella singing -- "Blues Stay Away From Me", jumps out because of his impeccable pitch and rock steady delivery. I wish all of his songs were put out in sheet music, because I would own every one, probably multiple copies.

Ditto to all of the other deserving compliments heaped on a man who seems completely unbothered with the praise.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson, Singer!
From: GUEST,MRS FLANNERY-
Date: 26 Mar 08 - 06:06 PM

Anyone going to Merlefest this year ?Any tips about what must have in the survival kit ?