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Rating: 
Summary: Quite a bit of music
Review: When I picked this up I didn't have any doubts as to whether I'd like it; as a longtime Doc and Merle Watson fan, I knew about Merlefest and the musical standards to which it would hold itself, particularly for a DVD release. But, probably for that reason (I saw it and bought it and went home and watched it as quickly as I could), I didn't notice how much music was it contained: there are 27 songs, a couple of which are medleys.There's no arguing with Doc Watson. At the time of this recording Mr. Watson had to be about 81 years old. Although these days he is outshined by a few of the youngsters with whom he shares the stage (at least in terms of blow-you-out-of-the-water speed), it's impossible to mistake the admiration in their faces, as Doc is a living legend, and was, no doubt, a huge influence when they were learning to play. Which is not to say that he's lost it. At his advanced age, some deterioration is impossible to avoid, but that he has maintained such control of his voice is remarkable, and you will notice when he takes a solo. Doc himself would, I'm sure, humbly admit that there are plenty of faster players than him, especially these days, and that people have been building on his innovations. I know I have no right to complain with so many virtuosic mandolin players, but it would have been nice to see David Grisman show up for a couple numbers, especially since Jack Lawrence, who also appears on the album Doc & Dawg, was in attendance, and since "Summertime" with Richard Watson was - at least for me - such a disappointment here. I have to say, I've never been impressed with Richard Watson's guitar playing. It strikes me as tasteless, distracting, banal, and without feel.
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