1. Mr. Sandman - Chet Atkins, Ballard, Pat
2. The Poor People of Paris (Jean's Song) - Chet Atkins, Monnot, Marguerite
3. Boo Boo Stick Beat - Chet Atkins, Harman, Murray Jr.
4. Alley Cat - Chet Atkins, Bjorn, Frank
5. Travelin' - Chet Atkins, Miller, James
6. Yakety Axe - Chet Atkins, Randolph, Boots
7. Yesterday - Chet Atkins, Lennon, John
8. Blue Angel - Chet Atkins, Lima, Natalicio Mor
9. Theme from Zorba the Greek - Chet Atkins, Theodorakis, Mikis
10. Snowbird - Chet Atkins, MacLellan, Gene
11. Steeplechase Lane - Chet Atkins, Hubbard, Jerry Reed
12. Jerry's Breakdown - Chet Atkins, Reed, Jerry
13. Black Mountain Rag - Chet Atkins, Traditional
14. Fiddlin' Around - Chet Atkins, Gimble, Johnny
15. Somewhere, My Love - Chet Atkins, Webster, Paul Franc
16. The Entertainer (Theme from "The Sting") - Chet Atkins, Joplin, Scott
17. Londonderry Air - Chet Atkins, Atkins, Chet
18. On My Way to Canaan's Land - Chet Atkins, Atkins, Chet
19. Tennesse Ray/Beaumont Rag - Chet Atkins, Traditional
20. Chet's Medley: Four Walls/I Can't Stop Loving You/Send Me the Pillow - Chet Atkins, Campbell, George
Amazon.com essential recording
Without blinking an eye, Atkins and his unwavering guitar move from bluegrass and country to pop, jazz, gospel, the Beatles, and the movies. Spanning nearly 40 years, these 20 cuts brilliantly display the elegant, quietly astonishing fingerpicking technique that Atkins perfected. Inspired by fingerpicking pioneer Merle Travis, Atkins developed a graceful, effortless style that often leaned toward classical guitar, and he applied it to everything from "Mr. Sandman" to "Black Mountain Rag." Atkins reaches even greater heights when spurred on by other top-flight musicians, as he is on striking duets with fiddler Johnny Gimble and guitarists Doc Watson and Jerry Reed. --Marc Greilsamer
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The Essential Chet Atkins
- Audio CD: 0 pages (1996-06-18)
- Publisher: RCA
- Label: RCA
- Studio: RCA
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 12 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #126673
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Mr.Guitar 2007-02-13
Comment: Its very rare to come across musicians of this caliber, who make it look so easy. Chet Atkins is Mr.Guitar for a reason, the guitar just an extension of himself. I am not a big fan of country music as such, but dont get turned away by the country connotations - This is absolutely stunning music - the music takes precedence over technical genius...you are just left speechless at the sheer beauty of the guitar tone
- if you still need a reason, just listen to 'yesterday'. This version seems to take the original song and paint it more beautiful with guitar notes, than can ever be done by mere words.
As has often been said, Chet Atkins will make you respect the guitar in all its majesty more than ever, sans pick.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: essential in more ways than one 2006-11-15
Comment: A couple of years ago I became fascinated by George Benson's 60s jazz guitar playing and visited his website where I found an unexplained picture of Chet Atkins (not still there). Having grown up in the 60s I saw Chet on tv and had read that he was an important influence on George Harrison, but never sat down and listened to him. (Way too uncool!) So I got this album and now I want to play it over and over. Chet's style may strike some as corny, but his crystal clear tone, his precise touch, his unshowoffy virtuosity are lovely and the purity, the directness and unaffectedness of his approach are quite touching.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Pay your dues to the lord high master of guitar 2006-01-30
Comment: You do not deserve any credit as a musician or guitarist if you don't pay homage to Chet Atkins, the overall greatest guitarist in the history of the universe.
"The Essential Chet Atkins" is a good starting point, and shows what mastery and taste can do to any tune when in the hands of a genius.
Chet could outpick and outplay anybody and his interpretations of hundreds of cover tunes were beyond reproach and simply couldn't be improved upon.
Rockers must pay attention to "Boo Boo Stick Beat", a precursor to punk, funk and surf all in one tune. Atkins' reading of "Yesterday" not only pays tribute to one of music's greatest songs, but ends up bearing his indelible stamp. This cover is probably the only one that does the original justice, and I seriously doubt McCartney has any complaints.
It takes somebody special to turn corny tunes like "Snowbird" and "Mr. Sandman" into instrumental masterpieces, showing that Chet knew a great hook when he heard one and also knew how to improve upon it.
If anybody out there who fancies themselves a hot guitarist wants to put their money where their mouth is, try learning "Jerry's Breakdown", with highly underrated guitarist Jerry Reed as a guest soloist on this track, note for note. Now go back and do your homework, smart ass.
It's only a glimpse into genius, but it's a great place to start.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Country Guitar Player 2002-03-22
Comment: I'm sure Les Paul and Chet Atkins did more for the guitar than anyone of their generation. This great album scans most of his career and includes everything from 'Yakety Axe' and spin-off of Boots Randolphs' 'Yakety Sax' to a Beatle tune. I always found the trio of Floyd Cramer, Boots Randolph and Chet Atkins entertaining.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Essential to listen to 2001-07-04
Comment: All I can say is that from the moment I hit the play button, I was mesmerized by this CD. I listened to it over and over, and am still listening to it. The Essential Chet Atkins is just that, essential listening, not only if you're a Chet Atkins fan, but also if you appreciate distinctive guitar picking. From background music to front-line listening, this is a CD worth hearing--over and over and over. Also check out Chet Atkins with Mark Knopfler, a thoroughly pleasurable collaboration.
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The Essential Chet Atkins
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