Picks on the Beatles

"Chet Atkins Picks On The Beatles" is a virtuoso performance by one of music's renaissance men: guitarist, producer, executive Chet Atkins. With a first-rate band (including harmonica master Charlie McCoy) Chet and friends find hidden countermelodies and deeper meanings in 12 Beatle songs already standards by this 1966 release.

Atkins clear, ringing guitar burrows in and out of low blues grooves in "Hard Day's Night," and "She's A Woman," both featuring ace McCoy solos. The guitar nearly sings the lyrics of "And I Love Her," and "If I Fell," catching the wistfulness and melancholy in Paul McCartney's melodies. "Things We Said Today" slows down one of McCartney's prettiest melodies and allows Atkins to cherish its opening verses. Only "Michelle," with its easy-listening string background, falls flat. (Atkins disciple George Harrison is not represented in the song set, but wrote the terse liner notes. You...Read more

"Chet Atkins Picks on the Beatles" is a little-known gem that is essential listening for fans of both the Beatles and the electric guitar. Atkins deftly brings out the beauty of several of the Fab Four's early melodies, rendering them in a distinctive style that is equal parts country, surf and lounge music -- a style that improbably combines 1960's Nashville, Southern California and Las Vegas without in any way detracting from the original songs. His interpretations of "If I Fell," "Things We Said Today," "A Hard Day's Night" and "She Loves You" are particularly refreshing, and increased my appreciation for the originals. I bought this disc expecting goofy, period-piece kitsch, but found instead a very listenable collection that captures Atkins' intelligence as a guitarist and Lennon and McCartney's enduring strength as songwriters.

If Chet Atkins does not go down in history as one of the ten best guitarists of all time, something isn't right. And this c.d., originally released in the '60's on vinyl, bridges generations by mixing such Beatles classics as "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "I Feel Fine" with the smooth finger-pickin' style of Chet Atkins. George Harrison, who wrote the c.d.'s liner notes, states, "I got the feeling that these songs had been written specifically with Chet in mind". Atkins slick style is every bit as mesmerizing as such guitar greats as Mark Knopfler and Eric Clapton, and his lightning-fast fingers throw a whole new light on a bunch of Baby Boomer classics: Atkins version of "If I Fell" has got to be one of the most beautiful and moving guitar instrumentals, backed by Charlie McCoy on a moody harmonica.If you appreciate great guitar playing and remember the "Fab Four", you will very much appreciate this collection of guitar...Read more