1. Tom Dooley - Doc Watson,
2. Alberta - Doc Watson, Leadbelly
3. Froggie Went A-Courtin'
4. Beaumont Rag
5. St. James Hospital - Doc Watson, Baker, James
6. Muskrat
7. Down in the Valley to Pray
8. Blue Railroad Train - Doc Watson, Delmore, Alton
9. Rising Sun Blues - Doc Watson, Ashley, Clarence T.
10. Shady Grove
11. My Rough and Rowdy Ways - Doc Watson, Rodgers, Jimmie [1]
12. The Train That Carried My Girl from Town - Doc Watson, Watson, Doc
13. Black Mountain Rag
14. I Was a Stranger - Doc Watson, Rodgers, Jimmie [1]
15. Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
16. Country Blues - Doc Watson, Boggs, Dock
17. Ground Hog
18. Little Orphan Girl
19. Blackberry Blossom - Doc Watson,
20. Going Down the Road Feeling Bad - Doc Watson,
21. Rambling Hobo - Doc Watson, Watson, Doc
22. Omie Wise
23. Handsome Molly
24. White House Blues
25. I Want to Love Him More
26. Way Downtown - Doc Watson, Watson, Doc
Amazon.com essential recording
These 1963 and 1964 performances from the Newport Folk Festival illustrate the wide range of influences absorbed by flatpicker Doc Watson. Traditional folk, old-time, Piedmont blues, bluegrass, and gospel are all part of his musical equation, as well as the music of Jimmie Rodgers and the Delmore Brothers. Vanguard's 26-song compilation displays Watson's fleet guitar work and his deep, mellow voice (reminiscent of Burl Ives, actually), plus his passion for the material at hand. His 1963 performance was the one that propelled him into prominence. He'd been playing many of these traditionals since childhood, giving the songs a feeling of well-earned authenticity. --Marc Greilsamer
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The Essential Doc Watson
- Audio CD: 0 pages (1990-10-25)
- Publisher: Vanguard Records
- Label: Vanguard Records
- Format: Live
- Studio: Vanguard Records
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 10 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #51449
Avg. Customer Review:
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: The Essential Doc Watson 2008-07-07
Comment:
VERY disappointed. Each song sounds like the last. ~ will give away.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Fine overview of Doc's picking and singing styles... 2008-04-21
Comment: This is offered at a good price for what you get: a variety of mostly traditional songs, secular and Southern Gospel, from one of the best guitar players and authentic singers of the 20th century. These songs don't get dated...they were old when they were written down, and older when they were first recorded. This is the kind of music you play repeatedly if you like it at all. And I have liked Doc since the first time I ever heard him play and sing, likely about 40 years ago.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best version of Froggie Went a Courtin' I ever Heard 2002-02-27
Comment: OK, Never heard of Doc Watson? Well, thanks to my Dad, I have. This is easily his best album. You should hear his version of Froggie Went a Courtin. It is the best. Other songs on this album include Shady Grove, Tom Dooley, Alberta, Groundhog, there's even a duet with his late son Merle who flipped a tractor over on himself. If you love bluegrass, you're sure to fall in love with this album.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: This is the one... 2000-08-08
Comment: The title says it all, really - If you own only one Doc Watson recording, this should be it. Doc's flatpicking (on "Black Mountain Rag, for instance), his fingerpicking (on"Little Omie Wise", for instance) and his folk/gospel style vocals (on most of the tracks) demonstrate just why he's considered one of this era's finest musicians. Doc's range is remarkable, and on this CD you'll find him singing gospel a capella, playing guitar full steam ahead, harmonizing with his mother (really!), playing duets with his son Merle, and yodeling like, well, a guy who knows what he's doing. 26 tracks here, over an hour of music, a must-have for anyone who enjoys traditional music, bluegrass, folk, acoustic.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best blue grass albums 1999-10-15
Comment: Getting this album was a trip back in time. My foot hasn't stopped tapping yet.
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The Essential Doc Watson
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