Doc Watson - The Vanguard Years [4CD Box Set] (1995)

Shortly after Doc was discovered in the early '60s, he went to record for what was then the leading label in '60s folk, Vanguard Records, and there he stayed until 1971, recording the fantastic, flatpicked array of traditional tunes that comprise this retrospective. Among the 64 tracks are 17 unreleased performances recorded live at the 1971 Winfield, Kansas flatpicking championships, plus classic material like Corrina Corrina; The Cuckoo; Black Mountain Rag , and more, all annotated inside a booklet boasting rare photos. A 4-CD guitar and banjo lesson!

Traveling into the Carolina hills to record old-time banjoist Clarence Ashley, folklorist Ralph Rinzler happened across a young, guitar-playing neighbor named Arthel "Doc" Watson, and folk and bluegrass music were changed forever. This four-disc set shows Watson at the height of his powers, from his blazing 1964 original Vanguard album to nine numbers recorded live at the Newport Folk Festival. There's plenty of clean, lightning-quick flatpicking here, of course, but The Vanguard Years also showcases Watson's not inconsiderable skills on the five-string banjo and rack harmonica as well as his warm and personable voice. The revelatory side four contains 17 previously unreleased live recordings, including six duets with the great Merle Travis. This CD makes a perfect introduction to what are arguably the guitar player's finest recordings, with enough new tracks thrown in to please even the Watson cognoscenti. --Mary Park