Jack doc watson biography book

His songs and musical prowess showcased a broad spectrum of more than a century of American music. Huffman provides a comprehensive look at an American treasure whose legacy still shines in the fabric of our cultural landscape. Watson has influenced thousands of musicians, including me, by embracing the everlasting power of reinterpreting and arranging the folk-song tradition so that it can live on for the next generations to enjoy.

How did someone with such scant resources and disadvantages manage to produce such a shining testament? Eddie's book lays it bare, explaining how a blind country guitarist compares in various ways to Buster Keaton, Wilt Chamberlain, and John Cage! The research is scrupulous, and the storytelling is richly imaginative. For example even though we spend a little bit in the NYC folk scene there was never a discussion on its origins or ending except for the fact that Doc had trouble getting shows because it ended.

All in all, the book still flowed good enough and I learned things that made the book feel worth it. On a side note, I was very unimpressed about the things that Old Crow Medicine Show's Ketch Secor had to say about Doc and Doc's son Merle, especially since Ketch never met Merle, had barely spent any time with Doc, and while called a native of Doc's hometown had only lived there for around two years before his career took off and he started touring.

I don't know why the author kept including his quotes but I digress. If another biography of Doc comes out I would not hesitate to read it because I feel like this one left holes that I would like filled.

Jack doc watson biography book: Presents a life of the Appalachian

A seemingly well-researched but poorly written biography of a true American treasure. I'm in no position to judge the accuracy of the history presented here but, given that it's based largely on quotes from sources who know Doc personally, it's probably reasonably close to the facts. However, the book is marred throughout by a seriously flawed writing style and poor editing.

An example - Gustavson uses variations of the hook, "little did he know Of course, there is nothing in the book to establish any particular skill at foretelling the future. It's simply a juvenile attempt to connect threads throughout the narrative. Here's a hint - it's a biography. There's already a thread to connect the dots. Much of the information about Doc's background was new to me and that made it worth the effort to wade through the frustrating writing style.

The book pales in comparison to the fabulous Tony Rice biography by Stafford and Wright, at least in terms of general readability and entertainment. It's too bad - Doc is a giant of American music and deserves a better presentation of his remarkable life story. It also sorta ends ten years ago although the interviews are recent - giving us not much a feeling for what Doc Watson recently, and Doc does still do some shows outside of Merlefest.

However this might not be the author's fault, as Doc has become more private as mentioned. I confess that I'm also lot more sympathetic to Ralph Rinzler's way of getting Doc in the music business as a trad performer than the author is. The author also probably tells more of Merle's problems that the family would have liked him too.

On the other hand, "I liked it" - he did a lot of research and interviews, and the book tells the life story of Doc Watson. It gives a good feeling about what other musicians think of Doc and his influence on musicians. Dan Verner. Author 12 books 10 followers. Kent Gustavson must have talked to hundreds of people to write this thorough biography of arguably the world's greatest guitar player.

Doc Watson was the real deal, and he played acoustic guitar in a way that few people can. Gustavson shows the role that musician and folk scholar Ralph Rinzler played in the Doc's rise from obscurity and poverty in rural North Carolina to fame among his loving fans. The story makes clear the Watson labored in poverty for decades and that playing on the road took so much out of him.

With his son Merle, he toured the country, and continued with a broken heart after Merle's accidental death at the age of Watson passed away earlier this year from ihjuries suffered during a fall. I remember long hours trying to play guitar as smoothly and cleanly as he could. I finally gave it up: it just wasn't possible for me.

But it was for Doc and his legacy is for people who jack doc watson biography book music and excellence however it come. Jean Ray. I liked this book a great deal, but more because I was interested in the subject matter than due to the writing style. Not bad, but the writing certainly could have been more polished. But it did appear to be well researched, and for anyone with an interest in American roots music, traditional mountain music, or whatever else it might be called, it is an important book.

Doc Watson was probably the most important figure in this style of music.

Jack doc watson biography book: The book serves as a

At times the book does drag, but over all it kept my interest and it is certainly worth reading for anyone interested in the history of traditional American music. Tom Schulte. An amazing, persona, and insightful journey into the life of master musician Doc Watson. From growing up blind in rural Appalachia to being swept into the folk revival, Gustavson ably invites us to see what life was like in becoming the remarkable Doc Watson.

Watson's professional career with his son Merle and after Merle's death is the high part of an arc that descends into reclusion as an elder statesman of flatpicking with annual appearances at MerleFest and, almost mercifully, this work ends just prior to Watson's May, death. Hear my conversation with the author from Sunday, February 17, Kaj Samuelsson.

Author 1 book 13 followers. I was recommended to read this book, by my wife a few years ago, but I thought that a biography about a musician cannot be very interesting, so I didn't read it then. Now I got it as an E-book and thought maybe I can at least give it a try. From the moment I started I got fascinated by the life of Doc Watson, he was not only a great musician, he was a great person, period!

It also introduced me to other musicians I never heard of and as I love music I started to listen to them too. For me it was a musical discovery, though no one beats Doc in his playing. I sure enjoyed this book and I recommend it to anyone interested in music and biographies. Sumach-Red Books, Softcover. Stock Image. Published by Blooming Twig Books Published by Blooming Twig Books Llc Seller: AmmarealMorangis, France 5-star seller Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars.

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Jack doc watson biography book: Fans love Doc Watson's

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