Chet Atkins-Almost Alone (1996 instramental cover versions) EAC FLAC

Quote:

This album's title refers to the fact that most of the thirteen tracks are straight solos: just Chet, who seemed reluctant to do this in his fifty-year career. The few that are augmented are done with simplicity: Randy Goodman on keyboards ("I Still Write You Name in the Snow"); Randy Howard, fiddle ("Sweet Alla Lee"); Paul Yandell, acoustic guitar ("Maybelle"); the Nashville String Machine ("Waiting for Susie B."). Chester sweetens one of the best cuts, "Jam Man," with a tool "by which [he writes in the liner notes] it is possible to lay down a rhythm track and then layer on other parts." This description seems fussy for a guitarist whose strong suit has always been deceptive simplicity, but the result is delightful.

Other highlights include "In the Snow" (in concert), "Pu, Uana Hulu," a Polynesian number written by David Alapai, Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek," and "Mr. Bo Jangles." The finale is an exquisite rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria." The album's repertoire is versatile, but it's foundationally country as only Atkins could do it. Seven songs are his own compositions; what they lack in memorable melody is compensated by their sweet dedication to his friends Susie Boguss, Mark Knopfler, and Maybelle Carter (with introductory and closing quotations of "Wildwood Flower").

I own twenty-five of this incomparable musician's albums, from 1955 to 2003. For what it's worth, this one (1996) may end up among my top five or six.


Here is a sample track...a solo version of Mr. Bo Jangles

Mr Bojangles