Off The Record, Vol. 2: Live Duet Recordings, 1963-1980 [Live]

Amazon.com essential recording
A 45-minute trip to bluegrass heaven, these 17 songs combine the talents of two unparalleled musical forces: Bill Monroe, the inventor of bluegrass, master of the mandolin, and owner of a bone-chilling, mountain tenor voice; and Doc Watson, the flatpicking genius with a soulful, mellow vocal tone. Much of the material stems from the legendary Monroe Brothers recordings. Their sublime harmonies carry plaintive ballads including "What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul" and "Banks of the Ohio," and uptempo numbers such as "You Won't Be Satisfied That Way." The roaring fiddle tunes are simply mind-blowing: "Soldier's Joy," "East Tennessee Blues," and "Fire on the Mountain" all rank as virtuosic masterpieces. If it's possible, the pairing exceeds all expectations. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description:
The essential genius of Bill Monroe and Doc Watson resides in their ability to infuse traditional American music with their distinctive musical personalities. Their unparalleled vocal and instrumental skills complement one another on these rare, previously unreleased duets. "...chronicles the early meetings of two instrumental geniuses. -- Billboard

Tracks:

Foggy Mountain Top
What Would You Give In Exchange Four Your Soul?
Watson's Blues
Soldier's Joy
Where Is My Sailor Boy?
You Won't Be Satisfied That Way
Kentucky Mountain
East Tennessee Blues
Midnight On The Stormy Deep
Lonesome Moonlight Waltz
Banks Of The Ohio
Fire On The Mountain
Chicken Reel
Turkey In The Straw
Memories Of You
Have A Feast Here Tonight
Paddy On The Turnpike

Amazon.com essential recording

A 45-minute trip to bluegrass heaven, these 17 songs combine the talents of two unparalleled musical forces: Bill Monroe, the inventor of bluegrass, master of the mandolin, and owner of a bone-chilling, mountain tenor voice; and Doc Watson, the flatpicking genius with a soulful, mellow vocal tone. Much of the material stems from the legendary Monroe Brothers recordings. Their sublime harmonies carry plaintive ballads including "What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul" and "Banks of the Ohio," and uptempo numbers such as "You Won't Be Satisfied That Way." The roaring fiddle tunes are simply mind-blowing: "Soldier's Joy," "East Tennessee Blues," and "Fire on the Mountain" all rank as virtuosic masterpieces. If it's possible, the pairing exceeds all expectations. --Marc Greilsamer

Album Description

The essential genius of Bill Monroe and Doc Watson resides in their ability to infuse traditional American music with their distinctive musical personalities. Their unparalleled vocal and instrumental skills complement one another on these rare, previously unreleased duets. "...chronicles the early meetings of two instrumental geniuses. -- Billboard

Customer Reviews:

You've already lived too long without this album.......2002-07-03

Buy this one. This is one of my 5 favorite albums of all time. The harmonies just kill me, and the instrumentals are enough to drive me mad.

No mandolinist would ever say that he's better than Monroe, and no flatpick guitarist would ever say that he's better than Doc. These are the two originals...the two masters...and it's just the two of them through the whole thing.

Do a favor to yourself and the country...buy this album, and let everyone you know have a listen.

Doc and Bill pickin' a few licks!.......2001-12-12

Great album. Traditional fiddle tunes/hoedowns and early bluegrass tunes (most of them written by Monroe) played in an intimate relaxed setting. Some of Monroe's best Mandolin picking. Doc is exceptional as always.

Great album for musicians. With only two instruments playing, you can really hear what they're doing. Singing combination is very interesting as well: Bill's famous high tenor and Doc's deep, melodious voice.

This is a great album by two masters of traditional music.

Like a hoe-down on Heaven's back porch ..........2001-11-30

Monroe and Watson are, of course, masters of their considerably crowded domain, and this recording shows why. Just a couple of amazing musicians having some fun together -- relaxed and loose but with plenty of sparks a-flyin'. The fingers are picking fast and furious. The vocals are superb, and some of the instrumental runs are simply breathtaking. Recording quality is more than acceptable.

The whole thing plays like a jam session at the country barbecue of your dreams. But it today and watch it get stuck in your CD player for days on end.

Truly Great.......2000-11-01

This is a tremendous album by two of the legends of bluegrass music. If you like bluegrass (or just great music for that matter), you'll be blown away by these live, relatively loose jam sessions where their virtuosity and vocal skill is incredibly apparent. A must...

First rate from 2 masters!.......2000-06-13

This CD makes you wish that Doc & Big Mon had done so much more together. Several of the cuts are songs that the Monroe Brothers did and are just fabulous. If you like Doc and Monroe individually, you'll love them together.

Music Album:

Music Album