Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass

Subject: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Franklin Thompson
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 06:34 PM

I've noticed that in most music stores Doc Watson is grouped in with Bluegrass, however, his choice of tunes, especially in the early days, is clearly Folk-oriented. Is there controversy attached to his fame? What are your thoughts on this?

Franklin Thompson

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 06:43 PM

My personal opinion, for what it is worth, is that the Doc is NOT, repeat, NOT bluegrass. Perhaps not all of what he did, esp. later was Strict Traditional Folk, but it darn sure wasn't Monroe Style 'Grass either. Can't even call it New Grass.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Midchuck
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 08:10 PM

The matter is settled without any possibility of dispute by reference to Tapscott's Criterion:

"You Cannot Play the Bluegrass Music Without the Five-String Banjo."

Peter.

P. S. Doc is what Doc wants to be. And Doc does music, not labels.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 08:51 PM

Doc does it all...he played pop stuff at one time...and can do blues....but when he is invited to a 'bluegrass' festival, he plays something close, and at a 'folk' festival, he changes the set to fit...

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 08:57 PM

Yes!

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 09:57 PM

Me too; YES!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: GUEST,Nancy King
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 10:02 PM

I agree--Doc Watson can be whatever he wants to be, and probably do it better than most others. Last month at the Common Ground on the Hill Festival in Westminster MD he remarked that he sometimes played things people didn't expect, and then did Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice." It was perfect for him, and definitely sounded better than Dylan ever did. I wonder if his recordings sell better under "bluegrass" than "folk"? I imagine a few grassies have gotten stuff they didn't expect, and maybe learned a thing or two. --Nancy

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: raredance
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 10:07 PM

He's clearly oldtimeyrockabillytraditionalbluegrassyfolklike. This ambiguity arises because Merle used to play the banjo on some tunes.

rich r

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 10:17 PM

Thank you, richr. That certainly does explain it clearly enough. (*BG*) The Doc is what he is, sort of like Popeye--"I yam what I yam" (or was that Pogo thing?--uh o losing it to CRS, here)

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 10:17 PM

Well, I'm sure Doc is also greatly loved and admired by many bluegrassers, too. He can fit wherever the record people and festival bookers wanna put him - and he'll do just fine!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: richlmo
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 10:36 PM

Let's enjoy him while we can. If you get a chance to see him in person, Grab It.His flatpickin is still amazing!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: gillymor
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 10:56 PM

Doc has recorded at least one album of Bluegrass songs played in that style with Bush, O'Connor, Douglas et al and did an album of Bluegrass instrumentals with Flatt and Scruggs back in the early sixties.

Frankie

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Charcloth
Date: 20 Aug 00 - 11:47 PM

I don't care how he is labeled I just wish I could pick like he does. I realy like folks who can play a varity of styles & yet still be true to themselves. It is because of these finite catagories that I seldom listen to the radio. there just ain't no varity. AND I DON'T MEAN DIVERSITY

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 12:59 AM

Hi, all. Everyone's explained Doc's versatility very well, but I'd like to add that one of my current favorites is the CD "Doc & Dawg", with David Grisman. The album includes Bluegrass, folk ballads, blues, fiddle tunes and old favorites like "Summertime". And the hottest version of "Beaumont Rag" I've ever heard Doc do. Of course, Grisman adds a lot.
Franklin, I think Doc belongs in the bluegrass section. Also the folk section. Both are appropriate in my view. Merchants tend to like things that fit nicely into categories, so it's sometimes interesting to see what they do with someone, (such as Doc), who is beyond categorization, (especially if they really don't know much about the artist). I've even found Doc's recordings in the "Country Western" section. I guess you just have to check everwhere, or ask the sales clerk where Doc's CDs are filed. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 01:11 AM

Just a test to see if my cookie reset. I recently moved, maybe that's why I was ID'd as GUEST above.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: BlueJay
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 01:22 AM

OK, one more time. I think I've reset my cookie properly. Maybe it just takes a little time. Sorry for the thread creep. If this doesn't work, I'll wait till tomorrow and ask for help. Thanks, BlueJay

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Dee45
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 11:33 AM

With very few exceptions, Doc has the ability to take just about any song, and make it his own.

It doesn't matter whether he is "folk" or "bluegrass". The man is a treasure, and his voice and musical skills are but another example of the hand of God at work.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Kim C
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 12:38 PM

Agreed, all. Doc is just who Doc is. Mister and I got to see him at the Ryman Auditorium a couple years ago. He is just amazing. I can't tell you how much pure unadulterated AWE I have for him.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: RWilhelm
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 01:05 PM

There is a great CD on Smithsonian Folkways called "Bill Monroe & Doc Watson." It has live duets recorded between 1963 and 1980. It's just the two of them (no banjo) and they do a large percentage of traditional songs. Maybe we shouldn't pigeonhole Bill Monroe either.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 01:12 PM

I love the way music stores try so desperately to categorize their offerings, and how musicians like Doc blast those categories all to h*ll by playing such a variety of stuff in the context of one recording. Trying to find any acoustic based music is always difficult, especially in those used-CD places. I have found Sandy Denny and Darden Smith in C&W, simply because some poor schmuck couldn't figure out where else to put them.

Any way you look at it (or listen to it), Doc's music is pure beauty. Whether alone, or with others, he always shines, and I have never - NEVER - heard any controversy regarding his choice of material or playing partners.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 21 Aug 00 - 01:16 PM

There's plenty of good bluegrass that doesn't have a five-string banjo in it -- a lot of it done by Bill Monroe himself.

Personally, I'm thinking of picking up on rich r's lead, and starting a thread called "What is oldtimeyrockabillytraditionalbluegrassyfolklike?" Anyone out there want to venture a definition and get a good healthy debate going?

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 02:50 AM

I think Doc Watson shits marmalade! He's the greatest IMO, and I'm going to see him Thursday night. All the best. Seamus

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 03:14 AM

I tend to agree with you Shamoo.....So pick me up a jar and report back here.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 09:48 AM

Doc sang "Grandfather's Clock" and a birthday wish for our youngest son's 17th birthday - a few years ago when Doc played at Poor David's Pub in Dallas. It was very thoughtful, and made a warm and lasting impression on my son - and the story made the Dallas papers the next day ("imagine what a birthday gift that what be for a 17 year old" said the reviewer). It was gift I am sure he never forget.

I hope you enjoy the show Seamus, but unlike Spaw, I'm not interested in the marmalade, thanks!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 05:09 PM

Seamus - If what you say is true, you better tell Doc to change his diet or we're gonna lose a national treasure.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 22 Aug 00 - 05:18 PM

I'm with the yes's..When your hot, your hot. Thank you Doc Watson for all these years.. Great Blues guitar as well.!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: The Shambles
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 03:09 AM

Is there anyone here who finally can answer this one? Is there a Doc Watson's fan club?

Subject: RE: Doc Watson - Folk or Bluegrass
From: Easy Rider
Date: 23 Aug 00 - 01:14 PM

At the last Doc Watson show I saw, last Spring, Doc said he doesn't play Bluegrass. He said he plays traditional country music from his people back home, "and anything else we feel like".

Then he proceeded to play a Bob Dylan song and "Knights in White Satin", from the Moody Blues! THAT was bizarre, to say the least!