Stefan Grossman

In this 90-minute video, Doc Watson appears in half a dozen performances, ably supported by the late Merle Watson in one segment and by Jack Lawrence in the others. Norman Blake and the Rising Fawn String Ensemble purvey both Celtic roots and country branches with equal Californian of this crowd, makes even the 'squarest tune (Turkey in the Straw) an adventurous new experience. Tony Rice appears in a variety of settings, ranging from an evocation of the old-time country 'brother duo' (Ricky Skaggs play mandolin and sings high harmony) to a kicking contemporary bluegrass ensemble (Tony Rice Unit) to a cooking all-star jam on the 'new acoustic' fringe (jamming with Tony are Sam Bush-mandolin, Mark O'Connor-fiddle, Bela Fleck-banjo, and Jerry Douglas-dobro).

Recorded at the 1992 Merle Watson Festival in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, this incredible jam session brings together five masters of flatpicking guitar - Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Dan Crary, Jack Lawrence and Steve Kaufman. Together they harmonize, improvise and burn the classics and hot guitar instrumentals. Two bonus tracks are also included of Doc playing with his friends David Grisman, Bela Fleck, Mark O'Connor, Tim O'Brien, Roland White, Jerry Douglas, T. Michael Coleman and others. All in all, an amazing 60 minutes of great picking.

After playing some simple chords, Fred Sokolow demonstrates various patterns, licks, and grooves in five keys. While one camera stays on Fred, a second gives students a close-up, picture-in-picture view of his playing technique.