For the first time on one CD Raven presents two original, classic albums by MERLE TRAVIS: The Merle Travis Guitar and Walkin' the Strings. One of the greatest multi-talented artists in the history of Country and Western, Travis was born in Kentucky (1917) and began recording for Capitol in the 1940s. a singer and songwriter of major proportions ('Sixteen Tons', 'Smoke, Smoke, Smoke', 'No Vacancy', 'Cincinnati Lou') he was also a guitar stylist of monumental influence (Chet Atkins, among others). with a sophisticated and complex finger picking style and rich, expressive tone his guitar playing became known as the "Travis Style". The "Travis Style" incorporated country, folk, blues and jazz elements and its impact cannot be under estimated. The Merle Travis Guitar highlights his playing on the likes of 'Blue Smoke', 'Saturday Night Shuffle', 'The Memphis Blues' and 'Rockabye Rag'. Walkin' the Strings includes some of his best-known and best-loved music, serving to illustrate the versatility and originality that have always made Merle a truly great performer: 'Walkin' the Strings', 'My Old Kentucky Home', 'Cannon Ball Stomp', 'Travis Trot'. with five bonus tracks taken from singles, including one of his biggest hits 'So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed'. with superb quality audio, detailed liner notes, color booklet, 39 tracks and 77 minutes of music.
B**N
Merle Plays Great Guitar
There's no denying Merle Travis's place in the top ten of great country guitarists. This two LP set on one CD is a 'must have' for any fingerstyle player or fan of this technique. Travis plays with effortless perfection on these tracks. Anyone who aspires to play this style of guitar needs to check out this CD for a masterclass in phrasing, tone and taste. Thanks to Merle we had Chet Atkins, and now there's Tommy Emmanuel taking over the chair to forge new heights in fingerstyle guitar. But it all began with Merle Travis, and this CD is a superb example of his truly unique style.
M**R
Merle's Greatest!
I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this one CD, that is really two LP's released many years ago. I did know that Merle was the creator of the Travis stye of picking, that almost every guitar picker now uses, but I wasn't sure what his music would sound like. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. I love this stuff so much I am now going to seek out anything else I can find available by this picking wizard. His choice of songs was also a plus.
S**A
the best one
I bought 3 other Merle Travis compilations before I finally found the best one. Unless you like over-produced, 1970s country music, don't waste your money on any of the other compilations. "Walking The Strings" is Travis' signature album, and while I'm not crazy in love with all the cuts on this 2-cd combo, the guitar of Mr. Travis makes up for what is lacking on some songs.
A**R
Killer Travis Pickin'
This is a great album of instrmental guitar pickin by the master himself! Especially the first set "The Merle Travis Guitar". The sound quality is light years ahead of the Bear Family box set of the same tunes.The second set "Walkin The Strings" is a little rough around the edges due to it's age, but still good to hear Merle on an acoustic set. Great Guitar Stuff, by a Great Guitar Legend!
J**K
Merl Travis Guitar
Received CD in good time packaged well. I have this on earlier CDs but the high fidelity is much better. Two CDs in one with much better sound.
S**N
Five Stars
Great combination of two albums with plenty of instrumentals highlighting Merle Travis' influential finger picking.
J**N
Two Stars
Somewhat disappointing,flashes of brilliance
R**E
The Incomperable Merle Travis
Where else would you go to learn about Travis Picking just listening to this guitar is more valuable than several lessons
R**N
Five Stars
real value for the price good quality
P**E
Five Stars
Great value CD of two Merle Travis original LPs
A**ー
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