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.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

The Merle Travis Guitar (1956)

1. Blue Smoke
2. Black Diamond Blues
3. On A Bicycle Built For Two
4. Saturday Night Shuffle
5. Bugle Call Rag
6. Tuck Me To Sleep In My Old 'Tucky Home
7. Walkin' The Strings
8. The Memphis Blues
9. The Sheik Of Araby
10. Blue Bell
11. The Waltz You Saved For Me
12. Rockabye Rag

Walkin' the Strings (1960)

1. Walkin' The Strings
2. Little David Play On Your Harp
3. Saturday Night Shuffle
4. Thumbing The Bass
5. Cane Break Blues
6. Darby's Ram
7. Everly Rag
8. Rose Time
9. Old Aunt Dinah
10. My Old Kentucky Home
11. Pigmeat Stomp
12. Blue Smoke
13. Dry Bread
14. Louisville Clog
15. On A Bicycle Built For Two
16. Green Bay Polka
17. Jordan Am A Hard Road To Travel
18. Travis Trot
19. Cannon Ball Stomp
20. Fuller Blues
21. Blue Bell
22. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
23. Turn My Picture Upside Down - Bonus Track
24. I'm Knee Deep In Trouble - Bonus Track
25. A Too Fast Past - Bonus Track
26. Louisiana Boogie - Bonus Track
27. So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed - Bonus Track