Customer Reviews

East Tennessee Christmas

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm always annoying my wife by buying Christmas CDs that "we don't need." I broke this one out in the car and said, "Just listen to it once." I played the song "East Tennessee Christmas" first. Afterwards she said, "THAT is beautiful" and now she loves the rest of the CD as much as I do. Truly a gem.

This is the perfect Christmas background album. Just enough vocals to make it interesting--mostly just warm interesting instrumental music in Chet Atkins' style. We gave it to all our grownup kids for Christmas and, of course, kept one for ourselves.

As a guitar and Chet Atkins fan I was greatly pleased with this CD. I was also pleased and very surprised to get it for such a low price. I recommend both the album and Amazon.com

The purity of this CD by a true master is almost hypnotic. Just the cut "East Tennessee Christmas" is worth the price. A little-known Christmas gem.

My husband has long admired Chet Atkins and has many of his albums. However, I took a chance that he didn't have this one. He didn't and he was very happy to have it. Perfect!

This is vintage Chet Atkins, and tradition in the making. I remember Dad's old 1960's Chet Atkins album (with the Gretsch sticking in the snow) playing from Thanksgiving to Christmas, so when I found his '80's production on cassette I was elated. This one (same production on cd) extends the tradition. When I listen to it, I see snow covered trees, and farm houses, sledding with my brothers, and cocoa after the sun goes down. Hopefully, my granddaughters will remember these things when they hear this music in years to come.

Update, 11 January, 2012: I went ahead and got the cd. It came just in time for Christmas. Unlike some cd's replacing earlier formats, this one is true to the cassette I have. Highly recommended!

I was very happy with this cd. I have another Christmas album from Chet that I just love and play over and over, so I'm glad I can now switch cd's to hear more from Chet! Would buy from this seller again.

Christmas is the time in our family to pull out albums that bring back warm family memories. Each album is cozy and familiar as a favorite blanket and the smell of Christmas baking. Every once in awhile a new song will add itself to the list as a family classic (like Mannheim Steamroller Christmas in the Aire .) But, usually we stick to the family faves. Chet Atkin's East Tennessee Christmas album is one of our standards. I have no idea when the vinyl was purchased (sometime in the 80's) and by whom, but it is a lovely soothing Christmas album and has a place of honor with Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams and Montovani Christmas Carols. The instrumental songs are perfect background music for baking and opening presents and dinner parties. It is not 'in your face' or 'sing along' or 'schmaltzy' Christmas music. You can't dance to it and it is not the cutesy-poo-gagsome stuff that a lot of holiday tunes have turned into. It is quiet, elegant, and simple steelstring guitar picking by Chet with the occasional background chorus and limited symphony accompaniment. It is calming and slightly sleepy without descending to elevator music.

My favorite tracks are the ones that show off the guitar stylings of Chet sans chorus, "Silent Night", "Christmas Song" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas".
The boys chorus in 'Away in the Manger' and "Little Drummer Boy" is unnecessary, but not wince-able. What I like most is that it is a melodious and unique spin on old favorites. And, let's face it, who needs lyrics? We already know all of these songs by heart.

This is an excellent Christmas CD by a skilled guitarist, and am glad to have it in my collection.

The guitar picking is minimal and the vocals are saccharine. Probably the worst album I've gotten with Chet Atkin's name on it.