Raven presents the first comprehensive Best Of CD covering the 1970s recordings of the father / son duo DOC and MERLE WATSON, The Best Of The '70s: Columbus Stockade Blues. Arthel "Doc" Watson is the flat-picking guitar genius from Deep Gap, NC, who is considered alongside Merle Travis and Chet Atkins to be one of the most influential folk / country guitar players ever. Country performers Ricky Scaggs, Vince Gill, the late Clarence White and hundreds of others, acknowledge their great debt to Watson. Joined in the early '70s by his son Merle, a talent in his own right, the duo went on to create an enduring legacy of fine recordings.   This generously compiled 30-track collection is culled from seven critically acclaimed albums the pair recorded for Poppy and United Artists (including Memories, Live and Pickin' and the Grammy Award-winning Then and Now and Two Days in November,). 'Bonaparte's Retreat', 'Doc's Rag', 'Shady Grove', 'Columbus Stockade', 'Natural Born Gamblin' Man', 'Minglewood Blues' and 'Big Sandy / Leather Britches' range in mood from mellow and whimsical, energetic and playful to earthy and bittersweet, yet throughout Doc sings and picks with a pure and emotional authenticity. With superb quality audio, detailed notes and color booklet, this splendid collection is a must-have for fans of traditional country and folk guitar picking.