At last available!!
Paco | Spain | 08/14/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"At last these two seminal Merle Travis albums are available in their gloriuos integrity.
If you are a guitar aficionado this is it: almost the holy grail of american fingerpicking style
The Merle Travis Guitar is an only instrumental electric gutar set, with definitive versions of Saturday night shuffle, My Bluebell and many more. It was originally issued in 1956. A previous release of this album shuffled tracks from both LPs, but this is the right one.
Walking the strings is the acoustic set and it includes vocals on three tracks and Travis's typical spoken introductions , which are welcomed.
This was a compilation of recordings from the early fifties late forties.
It repeats (better say reinterpret) some of the electric set tracks. This
way you get twice amazed.
Loads and loads of Travis Picking to enjoy.Chet Atkins would develope and somehow smooth the style, but I like Travis more.
Sound quality is very good. It includes the original liner notes and some extra comments.
If this was not enough it adds some extra tracks, so we have 39 tracks on a single CD.
This is a must for guitar players.
For the rest is also very enjoyable but could be a little too much, and perhaps you could do with one of the compilations including the major vocal hits also.
Thanks Raven!!"
Killer Travis Pickin'
W. Giles | 08/17/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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!"
The best one
S. Barrow | Patrick Springs, VA USA | 10/12/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."