Search - Doc Watson, David Holt :: Legacy

The master's life, with guitar, banjo, and harmonica

Jerome Clark | Canby, Minnesota | 04/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In recent months two Doc Watson CDs have documented this American master at the beginning of a career and, nearing 80, in career twilight. The first of these, preserving performances from the early 1960s, is At Gerdes Folk City (Sugar Hill). The second, recorded in the late 1990s, is this wonderfully conceived and brilliantly executed retrospective. Having followed Watson's work since 1967, when I purchased Home Again! (Vanguard) -- still among my favorite of his recordings -- I am certainly familiar with his music, but Legacy tells me things about his life I didn't know, thanks to David Holt's friendly but probing questions. The first two discs intersperse conversation with music, to riveting effect. Watson candidly addresses everything from his blindness to his musical influences to his career highs and lows to his continuing grief over the death, in 1985, of his beloved son and musical partner Merle. Disc #3 is a live Watson/Holt concert, mostly songs and instrumentals but with some talking, including a history of the real Otto Wood, star of the North Carolina outlaw ballad Watson has sung for at least four decades. Obviously comfortable in Holt's company and energized by his enthusiasm, Watson plays and sings at his best, which is very good indeed. An excellent accompanying booklet takes up where the interviews leave off, with lots of great photographs. No Doc Watson fan will want to be without this winning and worthy tribute to a hero of traditional Southern music."

A superb addition to any music library collection

Midwest Book Review | Oregon, WI USA | 10/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Legacy showcases the legendary life and work of Doc Watson in this three-disc collection featuring a concert CD with Grammy-Award Winter David Holt. Two the CDs of songs and conversation look back over Doc's 79 years in a informative and solidly entertaining presentation. The discs comprising this unique and highly recommended collection include Beginnings (18 songs ranging from Cousin Sally Brown and Deep River Blues, to Beaumont Rag and Freight Train); A Life In Music (16 selections ranging from Sittin' on Top of the World and Down the Road, to The Tennessee Stud, and Tom Dooley); and The Legacy Concert (18 cuts ranging from Shady Grove and Old Molly Hare, to Don't Get Weary and Stand By Me). Legacy would make a superb addition to any music library collection and is a "must" for the legions of Doc Watson fans everywhere."

Know what you are buying

Corrine Haverinen | Santa Rosa, CA USA | 11/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This review is meant to point out that this 3 CD set is made up of a lot of spoken word interviews. Folks should know what they are buying since this set is fairly expensive. I love Doc Watson, he is a national treasure. I saw him live with David Holt awhile back, it was a very enjoyable evening, just as this set is if you are in the mood for the wondrous stories behind the man and his experiences. Think of it as a superb podcast, if you are going on a road trip and want stories and music, this is an excellent choice. But, if you are looking for just music, you might be frustrated. Most of the songs have talking as part of the cut, so if you tire of hearing the stories and just want music, you might be better served by Doc's many other great discs. I particularly like "Elementary Doctor Watson" and the two fer "Live & Pickin' / Doc And The Boys.""