Boasting 23 tracks (three unreleased) culled from six of
Watson's classic Vanguard albums, The Best of Doc Watson 1964-1968 is a great summing up of the music he made during that period and a perfect testament to his standing as a true American musical treasure. Showcasing the amazing depth of ability that
Watson has made his trademark, this collection covers all the bases, including outstanding examples of his virtuosic flat-picking guitar work in great instrumentals like "Dill Pickle Rag," "Windy and Warm" and the amazingly dexterous "Beaumont Rag." A perfect synthesis of country, blues and folk,
Watson bounces from haunting murder ballads like "Omie Wise" and the solemn "Tom Dooley" to lighthearted numbers like "Muskrat" and "Intoxicated Rat." Faithful covers of
Jimmie Rodgers' "My Rough and Rowdy Ways" and
the Carter Family's "The Cyclone of Ryecov" show the reverence with which
Watson tackles the work of the masters who have inspired his music. No fan of flat-top guitar picking should be without this one in their collection. ~ Matt Fink