There's something about this analog recording, that 1950s electricity, the sharpness of the younger Merle that makes it so incredible. The way he plays guitar on this video is nothing short of some kind of tone miracle. I couldn't make that sound with a million dollars of new equipment today.
Why have I waited so long to hear the Genius , that is this man... I've wasted to many years on guitarists that couldn't even tune a guitar better than this man
Merle Travis really started what became known as Travis Picking or Atkins Picking. He was amazing. Anyone who loves modern country music should listen and learn, to keep the tradition going. The more music evolves, the more it needs a bit of the past to keep it country.
The difference between Travis and Chet picking is that while Merle uses his thumb and first finger, Chet use thumb, first, second and third fingers, like in classical style. It's not easy to hear the difference.
Actually “Travis picking” has its roots in the music of a black blues artist named Arnold Shultz. Shultz taught his style to Kennedy Jones who passed it to Mose Rager, who taught it to Merle. Jones also taught Ike Everly, father of the Everly Brothers. But Shultz also had an influence on bluegrass music. He played with Charlie Monroe and gave Bill Monroe his first paid gig. Shoutout to Arnold Shultz because without him, who knows how guitar would sound now.
@@MackMcDonaldOfficial True, but good luck finding any recordings, or barely a picture. I have read and heard about the connection with Merle Travis, Everly Bros, Mother Maybelle, the Professor, and Gilligan, but most people don't seem interested - I love getting the entire story personally. Peace
Just when you think you have guitar technique and crack a smile, a Merle Travis video comes on and you contemplate a Pete Townsend on your guitar, lol!
That's Tex Ritter doing the intro, and I'm pretty sure that's Johnny Bond, possibly the most under-rated and unappreciated guitar player in C&W music, standing in the back, on the right.
There's something about this analog recording, that 1950s electricity, the sharpness of the younger Merle that makes it so incredible. The way he plays guitar on this video is nothing short of some kind of tone miracle. I couldn't make that sound with a million dollars of new equipment today.
And they STILL call it "Travis picking" today.
What a guitar player Merle was. He's still hard to beat.
That sound ...nobody ever will play guitar like him . The master .Gibson super special 400 n standel perfect !
My dad who was a pretty good guitarist used to play this song when I was a kid. He loved Merle Travis and Chet Atkinson
I play that tune on my 1962 Gretch Country Gent
That right hand.... amazing
Just a casual stroll in the park for ol' Merle......
Why have I waited so long to hear the Genius , that is this man... I've wasted to many years on guitarists that couldn't even tune a guitar better than this man
Go listen to him do Lost John. That he picks with a thumbpick and only one finger is amazing.
You know somebody's gangsta when they have their name on a guitar
Double if they are wearing a Nudie suit.
@@1978garfield😂😂😂
Merle Travis really started what became known as Travis Picking or Atkins Picking. He was amazing. Anyone who loves modern country music should listen and learn, to keep the tradition going. The more music evolves, the more it needs a bit of the past to keep it country.
The difference between Travis and Chet picking is that while Merle uses his thumb and first finger, Chet use thumb, first, second and third fingers, like in classical style.
It's not easy to hear the difference.
@@VidarLund-k5q I don't think chet used the ring finger, just thumb, index and middle
Actually “Travis picking” has its roots in the music of a black blues artist named Arnold Shultz. Shultz taught his style to Kennedy Jones who passed it to Mose Rager, who taught it to Merle. Jones also taught Ike Everly, father of the Everly Brothers.
But Shultz also had an influence on bluegrass music. He played with Charlie Monroe and gave Bill Monroe his first paid gig. Shoutout to Arnold Shultz because without him, who knows how guitar would sound now.
@@MackMcDonaldOfficial True, but good luck finding any recordings, or barely a picture. I have read and heard about the connection with Merle Travis, Everly Bros, Mother Maybelle, the Professor, and Gilligan, but most people don't seem interested - I love getting the entire story personally. Peace
Exactly!
My dad said Merle Travis was the best guitar player around… I think my dad was on to something! Simply amazing!
The perfect smile with the perfect picking!
unplayable! dangerous (he made millions addicted to the six string)! legendary! keep these reels in your safe.
To introduced by Tex Ritter was amazing
been combing through UA-cam to find a decent cover of this. The best I could find didn't have the bassline played. Mr. Travis was on another level !
Listen to Richard Smith performing this
One thing he always kept his guitar shiny clean right up to the end
Just when you think you have guitar technique and crack a smile, a Merle Travis video comes on and you contemplate a Pete Townsend on your guitar, lol!
Merle was a Great Guitarist! WooF!
I just wonder how much time he spent gettiing that down pat? Amazing!
over 8400 views and only 93 thumbs up.... WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?????
WOW
The will to practice.
That's Tex Ritter doing the intro, and I'm pretty sure that's Johnny Bond, possibly the most under-rated and unappreciated guitar player in C&W music, standing in the back, on the right.
Yes, it's Johnny Bond.
I’d rather hear this than all the Nintendo 8 string shredders of the day tbh .. lol..
Guitar tuned up to F
Possible the tape is sped up a bit too.
Played in the key of E major for the open strings.
Are there any questions?
whats the meaning of life?
To make it look that easy...
No, he used the three "classical" fingers as well as his thumb.
right about exactly 150 bpm.
Impossible
Yes, for us mere mortals.
Two fingers pickin.
He's only using 2 fingers.
Kentucky Afield
Was Les Paul a kid then ? 🤔
the title says 1958, les paul has been making music since the 1940s
Aren’t we all kids at heart
Amazing guitar playing. But I don’t like this song 😂