Recently, I've been streaming the Document "The Remaining ARC and LOC Recordings" albums. Like many, I began with some of his later work and slowly worked my way back.
I'm not sure if I'm biased or just plain mistaken, or maybe even the only one who hasn't noticee, but it seems like his style and tone changed a LOT between his earliest recordings and his Capitol Records sessions! I am aware of the limitations of the recording equipment they had access to early on, and that much of the media is in less than ideal condition, but for such an established guitarist even at the beginning of his recording career, it's a very different sound and feel. For example, his common 1-3-4-5 run (used in Salty Dog, Sweet Mary and Ella Speed) seems to disappear, his style seems to become less chord-focused and ragtimey, and despite them being very similar instruments the tone of his guitar changes greatly.
Any other observations, comments or the like?
I'm not sure if I'm biased or just plain mistaken, or maybe even the only one who hasn't noticee, but it seems like his style and tone changed a LOT between his earliest recordings and his Capitol Records sessions! I am aware of the limitations of the recording equipment they had access to early on, and that much of the media is in less than ideal condition, but for such an established guitarist even at the beginning of his recording career, it's a very different sound and feel. For example, his common 1-3-4-5 run (used in Salty Dog, Sweet Mary and Ella Speed) seems to disappear, his style seems to become less chord-focused and ragtimey, and despite them being very similar instruments the tone of his guitar changes greatly.
Any other observations, comments or the like?