Album Description For the first time on one CD Raven presents two original, classic albums by MERLE TRAVIS: The Merle Travis Guitar and Walkin' the Strings. One of the greatest multi-talented artists in the history of Country and Western, Travis was born in Kentucky (1917) and began recording for Capitol in the 1940s. A singer and songwriter of major proportions ('Sixteen Tons', 'Smoke, Smoke, Smoke', 'No Vacancy', 'Cincinnati Lou') he was also a guitar stylist of monumental influence (Chet Atkins, among others). With a sophisticated and complex finger picking style and rich, expressive tone his guitar playing became known as the "Travis Style". The "Travis Style" incorporated country, folk, blues and jazz elements and its impact cannot be under estimated. The Merle Travis Guitar highlights his playing on the likes of 'Blue Smoke', 'Saturday Night Shuffle', 'The Memphis Blues' and 'Rockabye Rag'. Walkin' The Strings includes some of his best-known and best-loved music, serving to illustrate the versatility and originality that have always made Merle a truly great performer: 'Walkin' the Strings', 'My Old Kentucky Home', 'Cannon Ball Stomp', 'Travis Trot'. With five bonus tracks taken from singles, including one of his biggest hits 'So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed'. "One of the most influential guitarists in country music history" - Allmusic Guide. With superb quality audio, detailed liner notes, color booklet, 39 tracks and 77 minutes of music.
Customer Reviews: The Incomperable Merle TravisDecember 27, 2009 Richard W. Schultze(La Grange, TX) Where else would you go to learn about Travis Picking just listening to this guitar is more valuable than several lessons
the best oneOctober 12, 2009 S. Barrow(Patrick Springs, VA USA) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Killer Travis Pickin'August 17, 2009 W. Giles 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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!
At last available!!August 14, 2009 Paco(Spain) 4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
