Doc Watson--What do you know?

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: open mike
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 08:52 PM

hE IS A REGULAR ON Prairie Home Companion radio show
AND YOU CAN FIND HIM IN THE ARCHIVED SHOWS THERE..GO TO OLD SHOWS
AND SEARCH FOR DOC WATSON.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: frogprince
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 08:18 PM

Amen to all of the above; saw Doc live just once years ago, would go again in a heartbeat.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: bbc
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 07:04 PM

Sorry, Rapaire. Get out here & we can go together. ;)

Barbara

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 06:22 PM

Don't go. Buy the tickets, send them to me, and I'll go and let you know how terrible it was. Do we have a deal? Huh?

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 06:21 PM

All of the above. He's not getting any younger...I've seen him in person several times.....always worth it.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 06:15 PM

Definitely go. You will not regret it. And you might not even notice that you are there by yourself, he's that good.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 05:50 PM

Doc has made fairly regular appearances at the Walnut Valley (Winfield, KS) festival, and was having them billed as "Farewell Performances" and "Last and Final Appearance" at least 7 or 8 years ago. (It may have been 10 or 12 years ago.)

He's been back since, but it's obvious you've gotta hear him if you get the chance. NOW!

He's one of the few performers for whom we'll buy the CD - even at list price, when we spot a new one. (Without even looking to see what songs are on it.)

John

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: bbc
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 05:35 PM

Alrighty, I'm gonna hear Doc Watson. Just bought a ticket. Wish I had someone to go w/. Ah, well.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 05:33 PM

Just got (late, I know) the 2-cd album by Doc Watson, Clarence Ashley and others (1960-1962 recordings issued by Smithsonian Folkways as a collection in 1994). Doc Watson's work on guitar and banjo is amazing, but he also sang a pretty mean bass in a couple of the tracks.

All-around great!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Midchuck
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 05:29 PM

He is to flatpick guitar as Earl Scruggs is to bluegrass banjo.

He didn't actually invent it. He just put it together and gave it to the public.

He has slowed down some, yes. But if you've never seen him, you have to. Who knows how many more chances you'll get.

Meaning no insult to David Holt or Grandson Richard, you should see him in a gig with Jack Lawrence, who is a present-day master of the guitar in his own right.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: bbc
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 05:16 PM

Wow! All this is just a half hour?! Ok, you've convinced me. I'll check on tickets right now, but I'd still like to hear from others who've heard him--particularly in person.

Thanks!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 05:15 PM

You must go to see him.

One of my main reasons for visiting the States was to see him play live which I did (though only once).I will never forget that night.

He's eighty two now, and obviously won't perform for ever, so see hime while you can.

I just hope I can still play like that when I am his age ...

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:56 PM

Convinced yet?

One of the many great things about Doc and his playing is that, after growing up totally immersed in traditional mountain music, he went on the road with a swing band, so his style incorporates almost as much jazz as bluegrass. In other words, he's a living repository of the entire spectrum of American music. And he's a virtuoso from a technical point of view. And he's a very engaging and endearing person as a performer.

Go!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Big Mick
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:54 PM

Beebs (Spaw and I can call you that) you are not complete as a music fan if you haven't seen Doc. I was privileged to sit at his feet (literally) and watch him play. This man is a treasure, an amazing talent. One of the great albums ever is our own Jean Ritchie (kytrad) and Doc live at Gerdes Folk City. I think Smithsonian Folkways distributes it.

Take it from an old friend. This is one you must not miss.

Loveya,

Mick

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Wesley S
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:51 PM

His grandson - Richard - is his second guitar player now. If David Holt is also on the bill then you're in for a real treat.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:42 PM

Never mind all the guitar talk. He IS a genius. But the main deal is, he's a sweetie, a fine interpreter, and walking/talking history. No one like him, before or since. If you miss seeing him now and then later hear a song of his, or see a video, you're going to cry so hard you won't believe it, that you didn't see him while you could. And he's not going to be around (in the flesh) forever. Go on behalf of all of us who would love to be there.

I was privileged to see/hear him several times, and with his son Merle. Merle's gone-- can't say what I'd have missed if I'd missed him.

GO. Go with someone you love very much, because it will be a tremendous gift, that you gave that person THE Doc Watson.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: MissouriMud
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:42 PM

Absolutely go. Doc maybe a bit grayer and slower than the first time I saw him in the 60s but he is definitely worth seeing. Besides being someone who really pushed the art of guitar flatpicking (by essentially playing fast fiddle melodies on a guitar)he is a great overall musician, covering a broad spectrum of traditional American Applachian music including ballads and story telling, so its not just bluegrass. Plus he can play a mean banjo too.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Wesley S
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:36 PM

I saw him just a few months ago. One of the best nights of music I've ever enjoyed. He won't tour forever - and he's a national treasure on a par with Pete Seegar. You MUST go.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:31 PM

To play the way he does, he's gotta have at LEAST twenty fingers on each hand.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Bill D
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:30 PM

and watch the fingers of his left hand!

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: lesblank
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:30 PM

A bargain at twice the price !!! You will not believe your eyes or ears !!! Listen for "Doc's Guitar" - a piece that he never announces by name "I ain't gonna tell what this is - I'll jest pick it !!"

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:29 PM

While I was typing my post I notice that four others responded. That's gotta tell ya something, bbc.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:28 PM

YES, YES, YES.

Doc Watson will blow you away. If you like music played by a man who's pro all the way, ya gotta treat yourself to this guy. I can't tell ya what he'll play, but I can tell you you'll enjoy it.

A bit about him.

I have heard Doc Watson in live performance a number of times. He is awesome. Now I'll shut up and let others have their say. Jus' go. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:25 PM

Yikes, three posts all at roughly the same time.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:25 PM

Definitely. One of the top pickers in the world, what more need be said?

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: pdq
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:24 PM

Doc Watson is a national treasure. Go, buy all means, go.

Subject: RE: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:24 PM

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Susan

Subject: Doc Watson--What do you know?
From: bbc
Date: 28 Jul 05 - 04:22 PM

At the risk of showing my ignorance, I'm asking folks who are familiar with Doc Watson's music to share some of their knowledge & opinions. He will be giving a concert a week from this Sunday just 10 minutes from my home. Tickets are $35 each with open seating. Should I go?

Thanks,

Barbara