Customer Reviews

Chester & Lester/Guitar Monsters

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all, officially, I've only heard half of this particular cd (which is two records rereleased onto one cd). I own "Chester & Lester." With that out of the way, I now have to say that if you are AT ALL interested in this recording, buy it. "Chester & Lester" alone is worth the price of this disc. Technical precision, subtlety and lots of fun prevail as these two guitar giants, no wait, Gods (Clapton is the disciple) tackle mostly jazz standards. Though there are no vocals here, the guitarists are mic'd and we get a chance to hear their banter in between, and sometimes during, songs. Though this is all great fun, the real reason to buy this cd is to hear pickin' that you will hear nowhere else.

This double album (Chester and Lester AND Guitar Giants) is a particularly fun CD-it was my first sojourn. As a guitarist who now appreciates what I used to think of as kitsch or corn pone, this album not only showcases each player's virtuoso style from Chet's extraordinary clean Gretsch guitar fingerpicking and great arrangments to Les' Les Paul and his incomparable trills, fills, speed runs and his Paulveriser (the echo unit and /or chorus). These are the guys who pioneered electric pop guitar excellence and electronic innovations. I cannot recommend a better album for those who would like a taste of each player. Some cool tunes, some fun chatter included in the studio giving insights into these two old pros.

Chet Atkins and Les Paul are both guitar geniuses, each with their own unique style, which blend perfectly on this CD. The sound on this CD is amazing. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys perfect high fidelity sound and outstanding musicians. Ed Quasebarth

.... This is some great instrumental music, very guitar oriented. I was younger when I heard this music, I was 14-15, and listening to the typical Joe Satriani kinda music. However, i'm a jazz fan, and I am not the biggest fan of country music, but this music is just....fun. That one word can explain the whole collection: it is no more or less. These guys are having a great time here, and what is really cool is that instead of trying to play better than the next guy, they seem to complement each others playing. ....I have very few qualms with this music. If it had been bad, this music would've never been voted for Grammy's and sold so well. It is in fact quite good music. My biggest complain is with Les Paul and his guitar tone. It is quite dry, with a lot of echo and reverb, and a little distant in the mix. It works on some tunes, but the fact that he uses the same guitar and the same tone on pretty much every tune gets sort of annoying at times. On the other hand, Chet Atkins does a nice job of alternating between his warm electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and he really makes the most of his instruments, tonally. There is some phasing and some other sort of effects on the guitars in places here, and the music definetly sounds dated in places, especially with all of the electric piano. Besides these little nit-picks, this is very lively, fun, exciting music. There is no distortion here, no heavy rock licks, just some old fashioned country/jazz/Django-esque playing going on here. It's a great listen, and if you are stuck in a primairly rock instrumental world, try listening to the music here. It is really great. ....

This is one album that proves that you don't need a distortion pedal to make great guitar music.

These albums (or combined CDs) are some of the best guitar ever recorded. I have them on vinyl. There are no overdubs or studio tricks (although there maybe alternate tracks, or false starts that don't show). LIVE recording is the best there is. These guys pick it up, and lay it down. Chet Atkins produced a lot of songs that I wouldn't listen to twice, but as a musician, he doesn't have a lot of peers. If you like this album, check out "Neck and Neck" with Mark Knopfler, and if you like flat out pickin', listen to Tommy Emmanuel, he thought Atkins was God, and reflects a lot of his style. There is so much fine music in this indescribable genre (think Leo Kottke), that it's a shame "pop" music just passes it by. Real guitar aficionados know these folks and the work they did (and continue to do).

... and it shows!