The Vanguard Years cover

The Vanguard Years

Doc Watson · 1995

175 min · 64 tracks · blues · country · folk

Traditional American roots music intertwines heartfelt storytelling with masterful guitar work and rich vocal harmonies.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • heartfelt storytelling in every track
  • for afternoon gatherings
  • short snippets of acoustic charm
  • nostalgic reflections on simpler times
  • ideal for road trip soundtracks

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking modern production techniques
  • prefer lengthy, immersive compositions

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1995, 'The Vanguard Years' is a compilation that showcases Doc Watson's extensive career as a folk and bluegrass musician. This album arrives after his significant contributions to the acoustic music scene throughout the 1960s and 70s, when he became known for his virtuosic guitar playing and vibrant interpretations of traditional songs.
Stylistic neighbors
Tony Rice· Bill Monroe· John Prine

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Rambling Hobo 0:57
  • 2 Train That Carried My Girl From Town 2:03
  • 3 The Coo Coo 2:46
  • 4 Reuben’s Train 2:29
  • 5 Hicks’ Farewell 3:34
  • 6 Grandfather’s Clock 1:26
  • 7 Beaumont Rag 1:44
  • 8 Farewell Blues 1:48
  • 9 Footprints in the Snow 2:03
  • 10 Intoxicated Rat 2:33
  • 11 Talk About Suffering 2:50
  • 12 Omie Wise 4:29
  • 13 Country Blues 3:33
  • 14 Black Mountain Rag 1:32
  • 15 Doc’s Guitar 1:18
  • 16 Deep River Blues 3:09

Disc 2

  • 1 Muskrat 2:54
  • 2 Dream of the Miner’s Child 2:47
  • 3 Rising Sun Blues 4:17
  • 4 Otto Wood the Bandit 3:17
  • 5 Little Sadie 2:01
  • 6 Windy and Warm 2:15
  • 7 Tennessee Stud 3:38
  • 8 Blue Railroad Train 2:45
  • 9 Down in the Valley to Pray 2:02
  • 10 Dill Pickle Rag 1:25
  • 11 The F.F.V. 4:03
  • 12 Childhood Play 1:59
  • 13 Streamline Cannonball 2:27
  • 14 Old Camp Meeting Time 2:50
  • 15 I’m Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes 3:27
  • 16 The Girl in the Blue Velvet Band 3:20

Disc 3

  • 1 New River Train 3:09
  • 2 Rank Stranger 2:53
  • 3 Corrina Corrina 2:29
  • 4 What Does the Deep Sea Say 3:14
  • 5 There’s More Pretty Girls Than One 2:55
  • 6 Way Downtown 2:23
  • 7 Brown’s Ferry Blues 2:41
  • 8 Spike Driver Blues 2:29
  • 9 Roll On Buddy 2:11
  • 10 I Am a Pilgrim 2:16
  • 11 Wabash Cannonball 3:04
  • 12 Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms 2:53
  • 13 The Lawson Family Murder 2:39
  • 14 The Cuckoo 2:49
  • 15 Alabama Bound 2:48

Disc 4

  • 1 Bye Bye Bluebells 3:31
  • 2 Kinfolks in Carolina 2:47
  • 3 San Antonio Rose 3:05
  • 4 Blow Your Whistle Freight Train 2:32
  • 5 Cannonball Rag 2:09
  • 6 I Am a Pilgrim 2:53
  • 7 Arrangement Blues 4:09
  • 8 I Got a Pig at Home in the Pen 2:06
  • 9 My Rough and Rowdy Ways 2:33
  • 10 Deep River Blues 2:58
  • 11 Banks of the Ohio 4:01
  • 12 A‐Roving on a Winter’s Night 3:47
  • 13 Southbound 2:54
  • 14 Memphis Blues 3:09
  • 15 Salt Creek / Bill Cheatham 2:38
  • 16 Brown’s Ferry Blues 2:52
  • 17 Windy and Warm 2:14

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata