Various Artists – I Am A Pilgrim, Doc Watson at 100 (FLi Records/Budde Music, 2023)
“I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100” is a fantastic new album that pays tribute to the celebrated North Carolina guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Doc Watson, who would have turned 100 on March 3rd, 2023. A stunning array of musicians from different genres and generations have contributed to the album, which features fresh renditions of Watson’s most beloved works from his expansive catalog. The album, produced over the past year by guitarist/songwriter/producer Matthew Stevens, was released yesterday, April 28th, 2023, by FLi Records/Budde Music and executive produced by Mitch Greenhill, Matthew Greenhill, and Peer Steinwald.
“I Am A Pilgrim” presents the depth of Watson’s influence and legacy, and the album’s tracks, both instrumental and vocal, present a range of masterful, captivating and exceptional performances from various artists. Many renowned musicians, including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Grammy Award winners, have participated on the album, covering Watson’s work through a kaleidoscopic lens of not only American folk and bluegrass but also blues, jazz, and experimental and rock music.
Given Watson’s enormous effect on American guitar playing, it’s no surprise that “I Am A Pilgrim” features an assortment of guitar playing styles. For example, Yasmin Williams displays her finger-tapping style on “Doc’s Guitar,” a Watson original. Ariel Posen, on the other hand, brings the slide guitar to “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” while Lionel Loueke highlights the harmonics featured on his version of “Reuben’s Train.”
Valerie June and guitar innovator Bill Frisell combine their talents for a haunting version of the traditional song “Handsome Molly,” which Watson released in 1961.
Nora Brown, a teenager known for her old-time music, contributes a touching rendition of the hymn “Am I Born To Die.” In contrast, Rosanne Cash and Steve Earle reimagine classic traditional songs embraced by Watson with moving versions of “I Am A Pilgrim” and “Make Me A Pallet,” respectively.
The album concludes with “Your Lone Journey,” a song that Watson wrote while mourning his son Merle, who died in a tractor accident. Bill Frisell gives the song an achingly beautiful interpretation. Frisell previously recorded it with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for their “Raising Sand” album.
Matthew Stevens, an accomplished guitarist, composer, and recent Grammy Award winner, produced the album and performed on it. His guitar playing and songs are featured on over 70 recordings, including those by Christian Scott atunde Adjuah, Anna B. Savage, Esperanza Spalding, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Stevens has also released six solo albums that have garnered critical acclaim from American music publications. He is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
The album was executive produced by musician/composer/author Mitch Greenhill, who also penned the album’s liner notes. Greenhill had a close relationship with Watson, having worked with him for decades. He is the President of Folklore Productions/FLi Artists and known for his book “Raised By Musical Mavericks,” which explores the lessons he learned from meeting several towering figures of American folk and blues music at a young age through the work of his father, Manny Greenhill, who founded Folklore Productions in 1957.
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was a prominent figure in the world of American music. He earned numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career. Watson was the recipient of seven Grammy Awards, and had received 23 nominations, including the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, President Clinton bestowed upon him the National Medal of Arts in 1997. Watson’s influence in the American music industry was evident in the various books, boxed sets, and compilation albums dedicated to him.
Watson was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina on March 3, 1923, and was exposed to a variety of musical genres from a young age. He was particularly drawn to the sounds of the Grand Ole Opry, Jimmie Rodgers, and the Carter Family, and quickly developed a keen interest in playing the guitar. In his early career, Watson played electric guitar in regional dance bands. However, it was not until he was encouraged by folklorist and Smithsonian curator Ralph Rinzler that he began to focus on acoustic music.
Watson played an essential role in the early 1960s folk revival, earning a reputation as one of the greatest flatpicking guitarists of all time. His innovative style greatly influenced the playing of many American guitarists. Despite losing his eyesight at a young age, Watson was also considered a master of the banjo. Over the course of his career, he released nearly 30 albums spanning 50 years, collaborating with numerous bluegrass and blues artists such as Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs, and Taj Mahal.
Watson’s work embraced the regional music of North Carolina, and he helped to revolutionize public perceptions about mountain music through his repertoire of traditional and folk recordings. His significant contributions to the music industry were further demonstrated through his creation and oversight of the MerleFest music festival. Launched in 1988 to honor the memory of his son Merle, MerleFest has since become one of the most notable American roots music festivals in the United States.
Watson continued to perform until his passing in May 2012, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be remembered in the annals of American music history. This year’s MerleFest is coinciding with the release of “I’m A Pilgrim.”
Buy I Am A Pilgrim at Amazon or Bandcamp.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.