Doc Watson Songs Ranked

Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson’s fingerstyle and flat-picking skills, as well as his knowledge of traditional American music, were highly regarded. Blind from a young age, he performed with his son, guitarist Merle Watson, for over 15 years until Merle’s death in 1985 in an accident on the family farm. Here are all of Doc Watson’s songs ranked.

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10. Doc’s Guitar & Black Mountain Rag (Black Mountain Rag, 2006)

“This is a great album, and a solid solo debut from Doc Watson. The recording is well done, though I find that the shifting lineup of instruments causes this album to lose a bit of cohesion.”

9. Life Gets Teejus Don’t It (Doc Watson on Stage, 1971)

“Doc have a great gift: he can play guitar as it was the most natural thing in the world, making it seem easy also when he plays difficult passages.”

8. Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor (The Bottom Line Archive Series:, 2002)

“Watson’s has a beautiful voice and his guitar playing is nice, but he works in a genre that thrives on death, alcoholism, misery and sounding like it was recorded in a coal mine.”

7. Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar (Doc Watson & Son, 1965)

“Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar” an inspired bluegrass. Certainly not at the levels of the previous masterpiece but certainly a thick disc. Blind but “seeing” and true like few others, in the poetry of the roots tradition the voice of Doc reaches you like a precious caress. Always too little mentioned.”

See more: Doc Watson Albums Ranked

6. Christmas Lullaby (On Praying Ground, 1990)

“The music is a seamless mixture of blues, ballads and instrumentals that display Doc and Merle’s songwriting abilities and musicianship. Their virtuosity renders the guitar picking seemingly effortless.”

5. Deep River Blues (The Vanguard Years, 1964

“I love this tune for its flavor of a forgotten era. This is how people used to tell stories. This song has always been one of my favorites. Well its Doc and Merle and a good quality recording.”

4. Shady Grove (Memories, 1975)

“Doc Watson doesn’t do anything weird but kicks regular Country songs about living life with all the troubles and good times. Only the sound is too clean, and Watson’s beautiful voice works against him”

3. Lonesome Road (Lonesome Road, 1977)

“It was simple and clear..and with music from the heart. Lonesome Road, is an overlooked gem, nicely produced by Billy Vaughn, with some memorable performances.”

2. Freight Train Boogie (Elementary Doctor Watson, 1972)

“You wanna hear some of the best country and folk music ever,listen to this master of finger-pickin and soulful singing.If you like damn good,down-home music,this is for you. Exemplary picking and the singing isn’t bad either, even if it isn’t nearly as good as the instrumentation.”

1. Sitting On Top Of The World (Old Timey Concert, 1977)

“This song fits in perfectly with so many songs Doc performed. It meets the excellence standard that we all expect of Doc Watson. While this song may not be his very best it certainly is in the top 10 of Doc’s music. Fans will enjoy this song as much as most of Doc Watsons music over his career.”