One of the best parts of this job is the privilege of
discovering new joys, whether they be new or old artists. I had
heard of blues and folk legend Doc Watson before I received this
CD, but I’d never actually heard his music until now. All I can say
is that I was missing something very special. Doc Watson is a
genuine icon, and worth every inch of the legend.
Primarily known for his folk and flatpicking work, Watson is one
of the three pre-eminent legends of that guitar style (the other
two, for the curious, are Merle Travis and Chet Atkins, so Watson’s
in some heady company).
Trouble In Mind is a compilation of Watson’s work in the
blues, and it’s something special to hear. The line between blues,
country, folk, and other roots music can be pretty thin, and Watson
straddles it with ease. And….
damn, but the man can pick a guitar and a banjo. At several
points on this recording, I just sat there with my jaw hanging open
in sheer shock. Watson often sounds like two or three players at
once; his touch on the strings is sheer gold.
Vocally, Doc Watson is accessible and straightforward; while his
voice lacks the blues overtones of artists like Mississippi John
Hurt, it’s also more pleasant than, say, bluegrass legend Ralph
Stanley. (I still can’t really enjoy Stanley’s work, despite his
groundbreaking efforts, because of his tone.) On songs like
“Gambler’s Yodel,” “Deep River Blues,” and “Stackolee,” he manages
to put his own distinctive stamp on the song without ever intruding
on the sheer majesty of his ability to pick and play.
Doc Watson is an American legend, and
Trouble In Mind is a great piece of music, an elegant and
simple collection of blues music that’s some of the best you’ll
ever hear. Pick it up today.
