Doc Watson has quietly gone from being the granddaddy of several acoustic revivals to being the revered great-grandfather at the head of the table for the latest old-time banquet. There's no more revered figure in acoustic music, especially for the innumerable men and women around the world who aspire to finger-pick fiddle tunes half as quickly as this North Carolina native, who happens to be nearing eighty. (If you go to the show, check out how many people stare at Doc's fingers, especially during the instrumentals -- it's accepted, normal behavior.) On his latest albums, Watson has worked with people such as Del McCoury and banjo guru Mac Wiseman, and their deference to him makes it clear that the whole acoustic world is still learning from him. With longtime accompanist Jack Lawrence helping him flesh out tunes, Watson's specialty is de-fossilizing tunes twice his age -- or songs his own age, anyway. Equally comfortable with old-time music, bluegrass, gospel, blues, folk and even rockabilly tunes, Watson's gentle voice, his irascible, funny stage presence and his still-lightning-nimble fingers make his shows not only pilgrimages but also just plain fun.
