RIP Doc Watson - Legendary Guitar Player

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Doc Watson is celebrated as a unique and influential figure in bluegrass music, known for his exceptional flat-picking guitar skills and engaging storytelling. His impact on the genre is profound, with many attributing their love for bluegrass to his work. The discussion touches on the challenges of joking about serious topics like death, highlighting the community's mixed feelings about humor in such contexts. Participants reflect on their personal journeys with music, noting how Watson's style and humor resonated with them. The conversation also mentions other notable musicians, emphasizing the rich tapestry of influences within bluegrass and folk music. Watson's humble beginnings and modest lifestyle are acknowledged, further contributing to his legacy as a beloved artist.
Jimmy Snyder
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There never was a guitar player like Doc Watson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5c1k949Zn4
 
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Jimmy Snyder said:
I hope this topic is not too serious to joke about.

Well...
 
TylerH said:
Well...

http://www.docwatson.de/doctales.html#preach
 
Jimmy Snyder said:
http://www.docwatson.de/doctales.html#preach
Haha, those are pretty good. I was referring to how it is typically frowned upon to joke about death, though.
 
TylerH said:
Haha, those are pretty good. I was referring to how it is typically frowned upon to joke about death, though.
Or dangerous situations.
 
Ya got to love a bluegrass artist who refers to men as "fellers".
 
Doc was a figure. It would be hard to find a flat-picker with more effect on bluegrass today.
 
Jimmy Snyder said:
Or dangerous situations.
:smile: I know what you're talking about. Personally, I don't consider anything too serious to joke about. But then, I get lots of infractions and temporary bans from PF. Permanent banning from PF is an ever present cloud hanging over my head.

Anyway, thanks for the Doc Watson post.
 
RIP. Doc Watson sold me on bluegrass. Which eventually led me to my favorite (thus far); I just recently learned this one on the mandolin:

-6VeyJxzXyM[/youtube] Can't play i...itar, but enjoyable song to pick nonetheless.
 
  • #10
I couldn't get the idea out of my head that you were announcing that Sherlock Holmes' sidekick had died.
 
  • #11
Pythagorean said:
RIP. Doc Watson sold me on bluegrass. Which eventually led me to my favorite (thus far); I just recently learned this one on the mandolin:

-6VeyJxzXyM[/youtube] Can't play i...g others. The CD was recorded in Santa Cruz.
 
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  • #12
I was first introduced to Doc Watson during my second year of university during the mid-70's. At the time, I basically listened to classic rock (Iron Butterfly, Rolling Stones (<1969), Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix, Yardbirds, Traffic, Yes, The Who, EL&P, Moody Blues, . . . . ).

I was not fond of most C&W, and still am not, but I like Bluegrass and some folk music.

Watson's guitar playing is crisp, he had a wonderful sense of humor, and he was a great story teller.

Here's a great interview - Fresh Air Remembers Traditional Music Legend Doc Watson
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/30/153704132/fresh-air-remembers-traditional-music-legend-doc-watson

Watson came from humble beginnings, and as far as I can tell, he lived pretty modestly.

RIP Doc.
 
  • #13
Doc did come from humble beginnings, though many in Country, Bluegrass, etc, did as well. If you have not been introduced to Danny Gatton, it might be a good time to search around and find some stuff. His style of electric guitar-playing has been characterized as "red-neck jazz". So sad that his life ended in suicide, because he was such a shining star.
 
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