Customer Reviews

Mr. Guitar/Chet Atkin's Workshop

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
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The album "workshop" is to me a foundation for more guitar based rock sounds to come in the future. It is not the typical Chet Atkins music one might expect. It is the most "rockin" album I have ever heard from him and the tone itself is more bright or hot. I consider it a must-have for Chet Atkins collectors or serious guitar fans. While "Mr. Guitar" is good it isn't as interesting as "Workshop". The other two Chet Atkins albums I consider essential are "In Hollywood" for it's sheer beauty and elegance and "The Other Chet Atkins" which is a wonderful collection of spanish flavored pieces played on nylon string guitar. Mr. Atkins was such a master of the guitar and in so many styles. His range was incredible. He truly will be missed. Hopefully his enitre RCA catalog will be released on CD some day.

I still have both of these albums in vinyl but after 30 years of play, they sound atrocious. Thank heaven someone thought of reissuing Chet on cd. Chet is the grand master of fingerpicking and these albums are the proof. Several of the tunes display his gift for speed. On all of the songs, the backup is mostly base and light drumming so Chet's guitar is what you hear. The selections are mostly pop classics. It's great to hear Chet without scratches and pops.

I have been enjoying Chet Atkins for over 4o years. This CD is the essence of the artist. There is a lot of Chet from way back when and a lot of him from not so far back. If anyone does not understand what virtuoso of the thumb-and-finger guitar means, just listen and be educated.