The Doc Watson Family

by Doc Watson

Overview

Doc Watson, grandfather of the folk revival movement, has had a profound influence on American traditional music. Not only did he pioneer the playing of fiddle tunes on a flattop guitar, but through his incessant touring has brought traditional music to a larger audience. This Smithsonian Folkways release captures not only Doc Watson, but almost a dozen family members at the height of their power and has been deservingly hailed as a classic recording. Right from the opening track, "Old Groundhog," Watson and family send the listener on an amazing journey into the American musical past and present. Incidentally, their performance of "Old Groundhog" is certainly the equal of Bascom Lamar Lunsford's "I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground," in terms of surreal country, capturing as it does race relations, commentary on shoe strings, as well directions for catching a groundhog. On "The House Carpenter," a weepy tale of that conflates religious and personal love, a haunting female voice sings almost off-key accompanied only by a fiddle that doubles on the melody. On the instrumental "Bonaparte's Retreat," Watson offers a droning, sea shanty-influenced version of this song staple of Mississippi river communities. Some of the family's best work is found in the spirituals scattered about the album. "When I Die" features a beautiful, uplifting three-part harmony, as does "The Lost Soul," which contains the wickedly abject refrain, "I'm paying now/the penalty." A fabulous record that's a must-listen for any serious fan of American music. ~ Brian Whitener

Product Details

Release Date:	09/14/1993
Label:	Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
UPC:	0093074001226
Rank:	53176

Tracks

1. Ground Hog
2. Every Day Dirt
3. Bonaparte's Retreat
4. The House Carpenter
5. I'm Troubled
6. Your Long Journey
7. When I Die
8. That Train That Carried My Girl From Town
9. Down the Road
10. The Lone Pilgrim
11. Medley
12. Darling Corey
13. The Triplett Tragedy
14. Muddy Roads
15. The Lost Soul
16. Keep in the Middle of the Road
17. The Old Man Below
18. Pretty Saro
19. Cousin Sally Brown
20. Look Down That Lonesome Road
21. Doodle Bug
22. Rambling Hobo
23. The Cuckoo Bird
24. Frosty Morn
25. Shady Grove
26. Southbound

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Doc Watson   Primary Artist,Banjo,Guitar,Vocals,Autoharp,Mandolin
Doc Watson & Family   Primary Artist
The Watson Family   Primary Artist,Vocals
Sophronie Miller Greer   Vocals
Gaither Carlton   Banjo,Fiddle,Vocals
Rosa Lee Watson   Vocals
Ralph Rinzler   Guitar
Arnold Watson   Banjo,Vocals,Harmonica
Annie Watson   Vocals
Dolly Greer   Vocals
Willard Watson   Banjo
Merle Watson   Banjo,Guitar

Technical Credits

Bob Yellin   Cover Photo,Photography
Traditional   Composer
Ed Miller   Composer
Doc Watson   Assistant
Pee Wee King   Composer
Peter Siegel   Engineer
Rosa Lee Watson   Composer
Redd Stewart   Composer
Ralph Rinzler   Engineer,Producer,Assistant,Executive Producer,Reissue Compilation
Mickey Hart   Technical Advisor
Arnold Watson   Arranger
Lorrie Taylor   Assistant
Archie Green   Engineer
Eugene Earle   Engineer
Suzanne Holder   Assistant
David Glasser   Digital Editing
Jeff Place   Producer,Archivist,Liner Notes,Reissue Compilation
Merle Watson   Composer
Mike Seeger   Assistant