Doc Watson

A rare look at the inventiveness of the human spirit through reimagining the history of Bluegrass Music from Bill Monroe to today's musicians.

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Doc Watson has known David Grisman since the latter was a teenager stunning veteran performers at New York City folk clubs in the 1960s. Aside from the pleasures of picking with an old friend, the reward of playing with Grisman is simple: 'He knows music,' Doc says, 'That's your nutshell answer. He knows what it's about. ' Coming from a master musician for whom the gift of music is the only reason worth leaving the sweet comforts of family and home, that is the highest praise. In this unique concert video Doc and David with their friend Jack Lawrence present their unique blend of country, jazz, bluegrass and folk-music. NTSC all region, 70 minutes.

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Bernie works at a Las Vegas casino, where he uses his innate ability to bring about misfortune in those around him to jinx gamblers into losing. His imposing boss, Shelly Kaplow, is happy with the arrangement. But Bernie finds unexpected happiness when he begins dating attractive waitress Natalie Belisario.

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Doc is joined by his son Merle on guitar and banjo and T. Michael Coleman on bass in this concert recorded in 1980. Their performance is a showcase of native folk traditions and a display of distinctive stylistic inventions. Doc and Merle Watson's repertoire encompasses country ballads, bluegrass, gospel, jazz standards, contemporary songs and blues.

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For one historic evening, American music legends Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, and Ricky Skaggs joined forces as The Three Pickers, to film a concert for public television. The music they made before a North Carolina audience is as relaxed as a front porch picking session. Informed by the skill and good humor of the three master musicians who contributed so much to the creation and evolution of bluegrass music. With special guest Alison Krauss.

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Features performances of Doc Watson ranging from his 1950s musical partner, pianist Jack Williams, to his son Merle (seen playing exquisite slide guitar)... Also with Ricky Skaggs (singing and playing mandolin in a Monroe Brothers style set), and a stellar string and featuring Mark O'Connor, Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, David Grisman and Jerry Douglas. This collection ends with a solo set from Doc which brings his music full circle to the straightforward simplicity with which it was first presented during the 1960s folk revival.

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Doc Watson teaches some of the most requested fingerpicking and flatpicking tunes in his vast repertoire. The tunes include Deep River Blues, Blue Railroad Train, Bluebell, Windy and Warm, Southbound, Black Mountain Rag, Beaumont Rag, Georgie, East Tennessee Blues, Way Downtown, The Cuckoo, and Don't Let Your Deal Go Down.

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Recorded at the 1992 Merle Watson Festival in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, this incredible jam session brings together five masters of flatpicking guitar - Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Dan Crary, Jack Lawrence and Steve Kaufman. Together they harmonize, improvise and burn the classics and hot guitar instrumentals. Two bonus tracks are also included of Doc playing with his friends David Grisman, Bela Fleck, Mark O'Connor, Tim O'Brien, Roland White, Jerry Douglas, T. Michael Coleman and others. All in all, an amazing 60 minutes of great picking.

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A sold-out performance at the Bathurst Theatre in Toronto on May 7, 1988.

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Petey Wheatstraw is a candidate to become the devil's son-in-law. The storyline is a scaffolding on which Rudy Ray Moore's standup humor can be unfolded. Beginning life as the afterbirth to a watermelon, the young Wheatstraw becomes a martial artist, but is unable to best the evil comedy team of Leroy and Skillet, who also indulge in wholesale murder. Satan restores the comedians' victims to life, and charges Petey with the task of marrying his clock-stoppingly ugly daughter to give him a grandchild. When Petey attempts to default on the deal, he is pursued by the devil's henchmen.

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Musical documentary records Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Scruggs' son Randy, Doc Watson and his son Merle playing and singing together in informal settings. Also includes performances by Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, The Byrds and others

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In this 90-minute video, Doc Watson appears in half a dozen performances, ably supported by the late Merle Watson in one segment and by Jack Lawrence in the others. Norman Blake and the Rising Fawn String Ensemble purvey both Celtic roots and country branches with equal 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 play 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).

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