January 27, 2013
Listen to Doc Watson Picking Away at his Banjo : A new release from Smithsonian Folkways highlights the talent of a bluegrass master (Leah Binkovitz, February 2013, Smithsonian magazine)
In 1960, the producer Ralph Rinzler paired the forgotten banjo legend Clarence Ashley with an obscure young guitarist named Arthel Watson. The recordings they made (Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley: The Original Folkways Recordings, 1960-1962) introduced "Doc" Watson's bluegrass flatpicking to a national audience. That's just one reason Rinzler, who died in 1994 at age 59, was recently inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. He was also a mandolin and banjo player of note, a tireless folklorist and a promoter, co-founding the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and helping the Smithsonian Institution acquire Folkways Records.
Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley, 1960-1962
The recordings captured by Ralph Rinzler, later re-issued as Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley, 1960-1962, introduced the world to Doc Watson and played an important role in the folk revival of the '60s. Listen to Doc Watson sing "Old Ruben" and "A Short Life of Trouble". More Info
Old Ruben
From Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley, 1960-1962
By Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley
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