The Vanguard Years

The Vanguard Years is an album by Doc Watson, released in 1995. Traditional American roots music intertwines heartfelt storytelling with masterful guitar work and rich vocal harmonies. 'The Vanguard Years' is significant not only for its collection of classic tracks but also for its role in preserving and celebrating traditional American folk music. The album received positive critical reception and helped introduce Watson's work to a new generation, solidifying his status as a foundational figure in American roots music. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Disc 1

• 1 Rambling Hobo Standout 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 Standout 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 Standout 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 Standout 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

Learn More

What to play next

Listen next

Docabilly

1995

Go back to

Songs from the Southern Mountains

1994