Watson, Richard

The three Norns are spinning the rope of Fate and discussing the past, the present and the future: Alberich’s theft of the Rhine gold, the curse of the ring, Wotan’s act of self-constitution in which he cleaved his spear, with all the scared pacts carved into it, out of the World Ash, which then withered and was cut down, and finally Siegfried`s meeting with Wotan.

In the latter half of the 20th century there were three pre-eminently influential folk/country guitar players: Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, and Arthel "Doc" Watson, a flat-picking genius from Deep Gap, North Carolina. Unlike the other two, Watson was in middle age before gaining any attention. After 1960, though, when Watson was recorded with his family and friends in Folkways' Old Time Music at Clarence Ashley's, people remained in awe of this gentle blind man who sang and picked with a pure and emotional authenticity.

Delightful classic title tracks, themes and suites from films that became legends during Hollywood's Golden Age. Performed with great style by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Grammy nominated conductor José Serebrier, and with Gramophone Award-winning American conductor Richard Bernas.

Shout! Factory's two-disc The Funk Anthology compiles the best of blues icon Johnny "Guitar" Watson's recordings for the DJM label from 1970 to 1981. Also included are three tracks off Watson's 1994 comeback album, Bow Wow.

In 1972, Mike and Lal Waterson released an extraordinary album of their original songs, Bright Phoebus. This magical collection of very English songwriting has long been acknowledged a classic and one of the finest achievements of the British folk revival. Shining Bright was conceived to pay tribute to Mike & Lal's remarkable songs, and it draws upon the songs recorded for Bright Phoebus, and on a further dozen songs written at the same time but not previously recorded. Features 15 tracks performed by Norma Waterson, Dayteller, Maddy Prior, Richard Thompson, Eliza Carthy, Blue Murder, Dick Gaughan, Linda & Teddy Thompson, Helen Watson, Billy Bragg & The Blokes, Martin Carthy, Christine Collister & others.