Chet Atkins - Guitar Legend (The RCA Years) (CD 2001)

It must have been very difficult to compile 2 Cd`s worth of material from Chet Atkins` vast RCA back catalogue - a situation where it`s not what you include,but what you leave out.This set has 51 tracks spanning 1947 to 1978 and is a most enjoyable listen.All titles bar one(Tellin` My Troubles To My Old Guitar) are instrumentals.The late 1940`s/early 1950`s titles are very much in the style of country music from that time.However as the years progress so do the sounds and ideas.In fact a great mix of uptempo country,some blusier items and some items which are more of a reflective nature.There are highlights a-plenty - Galloping Guitar / Indian Love Call(recorded nearly 2 years before Slim Whitman cut his hit version) / a great version of Fats Waller`s Jitterbug Waltz / Rainbow,featuring half brother Jimmy on guitar / Darkness On The Delta(reflective,almost bluesy featuring Jerry Byrd on steel guitar) / High Rockin` Swing / Country Gentleman / W.C.Handy`s Memphis Blues / Ballin` The Jack(a slow rolling bluesy number) / Trambone(the 1956 version) / Dig These Blues(another great bluesy number featuring some great piano by Floyd Cramer) / Walk Don`t Run(totally different to the later version by The Ventures) / Hot Toddy(featuring some nice sax work by Boots Randolph) / Slinkey(Chet almost doing his Duane Eddy bit) / Windy And Warm / Yakety Axe & Take Five(a slightly moody feel to the Paul Desmond song).These are only some of the highlights.
The set comes with a very informative booklet listing recording dates and personnel.The latter includes great players like George Barnes / Jack Shook / Jethro Burns / Homer Haynes / Jimmy Atkins / Jerry Byrd / Grady Martin / Bud Isaacs / Buddy Harman / Floyd Cramer / Boots Randolph / Charlie McCoy & Paul Yandell.
Do try and get this set. You won`t be disappointed.