THE KRÜGER BROTHERS, REMEMBERING DOC

THE KRÜGER BROTHERS
REMEMBERING DOC

Double Time Music
DTM-025

Doc Watson cast a long shadow and influenced many more people than most folks might realize. He was one-of-a-kind, a leader, and a spiritual father to generations of musicians. His presence, his skill, and his long career touched musicians far and wide. His influence on the Krüger Brothers was huge. So much so, they moved near to his home. They have even written a song that refers his influence, “Carolina In The Fall.”

Here, the brothers use their guitars to good end, displaying the wealth of great licks they learned from Doc. Jens’ banjo is more in a support role. Uwe sings and plays with fine support for Jens on banjo, guitar, accordion, and harmony vocals and for Joel Landsberg on bass and harmony vocal. For some reason, they have a drummer/percussionist, Josh Day, on the project. As a rule, Doc didn’t use a drummer.

The program here includes many songs that Doc took ownership to over the half-century of his career. Of course, Doc got songs from friends old and new, so we have numbers from Tom Ashley, Elizabeth Cotton, and John Hurt and a wide range of tunes learned from recorded sources. “Little Sadie,” “Tom Dooley,” “Freight Train,” “Pallet On The Floor,” and “Windy And Warm” are all here, along with “I Still Miss Someone.” The Krügers have fond memories of Doc playing this last song one afternoon at the Todd General Store in Todd, N.C., a place where many pickers gathered over the years.

The absolute best part of this recording is the last cut. Taken from the DVD, MerleFest Live! The Fifteenth Anniversary Jam, the first thing you hear is Doc’s voice. Then a little patter, and he and the Krügers jump into “Shady Grove.” This CD will be a real treat for all fans of the Krüger Brothers and Doc Watson. Especially those who have seen them together. (Double Time Music, 6137 Statesville Rd., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, www.krugerbrothers.com.)RCB