A Warm Performance
Mr. T. | New York, NY | 05/24/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great recording for a number of reasons and if it weren't for Mike Seeger and his magical tape recorder, we'd never have it. Thanks Mike! This concert is an interesting document of the very beginnings of the folk revival of the early 1960s. It features the folksy side of Merle Travis as opposed to the honkytonk side. We hear songs that northern audiences would likely have been familiar with such as Nine Pound Hammer and John Henry, as opposed to I Like My Chicken Fryin' Size, Kentucky Means Paradise, and the like. I would have appreciated a more adventurous songlist, but that's really nitpicking considering the enjoyability of this concert. Merle plays his Martin D-28 acoustic guitar throughout, which gives us softer, warmer versions of his signature instrumentals. When I listen to this album, I am taken by Merle Travis's humility. This guy can play the pants off of virtually any guitar picker and you'd never know it from his demeanor or his playing style. Through the majority of the songs, Merle uses his guitar to accompany his warm voice, throwing in a few majestic licks and fills along the way. The cover photograph, while artistic, is a bit misleading as it was taken many years after this recording was made. I think Rounder must be trying to market this album to the same "Gen X" crowd that dabbled into country music by buying Johnny Cash's recent (and largely mediocre) American Recordings that sport similar packaging. Well, I suppose this is okay if it introduces younger generations to the wonder of Merle Travis. Still, I wish the album contained photographs from the era of the concert. Once again, I find myself nitpicking here (not to mention going off on a tangent). This album is a wonderful album, an interesting historical document, and an entertaining, uplifting performance."
An Absolute must!!
Michael D. Sheridan | Ventura,, Ca. USA | 06/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was fortunate to grow up listening to my fathers records of Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. And watching Cal's Corral on KTLA TV in Los Angeles I was able to see Merle,Chet,Joe Maphis and the Collins Kids etc. As a guitarist and musician this music has inspired me all my life. When I read that this recording was available I ordered it immediately. It is a treasure for musicians and finger pickers everywhere. If only I could convince a record company to re-release 'The Merle Travis Guitar'Capitol T650 with bonus tracks , I'd be in heaven!!Buy this Cd and you'll never regret it, after all his method of picking wasn't called 'Travis Picking' for nothing!"
Smooth & hot fingerpicking
J. R. Wood Jr. | Fairfax, VA USA | 01/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You can see why Doc Watson named his son after Merle Travis ... both picking style and remarks to the audience sounded very much like Doc.
Very warm recording ... tip of the hat to Mike Seegar for catching a small slice of Mr. Travis' genius."
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1