Legends of Flatpicking Guitar – Various

In this 90 minute video Doc Watson appears in a half dozen performances, ably supported by the late Merle Watson in one segment and by Jack Lawrence in the others. Norman Blake & the Rising Fawn String Ensemble play both Celtic roots and country branches with equal conviction, while Dan Crary, the eclectic Californian of this crowd, makes even the ‘squarest’ tune (Turkey in the Straw) an adventurous new experience. Tony Rice appears in a variety of settings, ranging from an evocation of the old-time country ‘brother duo’ (Ricky Skaggs plays mandolin and sings high harmony) to a kicking contemporary bluegrass ensemble (Tony Rice Unit) to a cooking all-star jam on the ‘new acoustic’ fringe (jamming with Tony are Sam Bush, mandolin, Mark O’Connor, fiddle, Bela Fleck, banjo, and Jerry Douglas, dobro).

Titles include: Doc Watson & Jack Lawrence: Black Mountain Rag, Peach Pickin’ Time Down In Georgia; Tony Rice All Star Jam: Nine Pound Hammer, Cold On The Shoulder, Whitewater; Norman Blake & The Rising Fawn String Ensemble: Jimmy Brown The Newsboy, Salty, Molly Bloom; Dan Crary: Country Boy Rock N’ Roll, Medley: The Fishing Creek Blues/ The Blackbird/Turkey In The Straw/ Bonaparte’s Retreat/Arkansas Traveller; Doc Watson & Jack Lawrence: Bye Bye Blues, Tennessee Stud; Tony Rice & Ricky Skaggs: Where The Soul Of Man Never Dies, More Pretty Girls Than One; Norman Blake & The Rising Fawn String Ensemble: Nashville Blues, Medley: The Cuckoo’s Nest/Over The Waterfall/Opera Reel/Cherokee Shuffle; Tony Rice All Star Jam: Freeborn Man; Doc & Merle Watson: Medley:Sheep In The Meadow/Stoney Fork, Medley: Bill Cheatham/Salt Creek; Dan Crary: Lady’s Fancy, Black Mountain Rag; Tony Rice Unit: The White Dove, Sally Goodin.