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Chet Atkins - Chester & Lester/Guitar Monsters Audio CD

A fair review of the Chet Atkins "Chester & Lester/Guitar Monsters" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Chet Atkins reviews here, or go back to the Chet Atkins tabs.

Chet Atkins Band: Chet Atkins
Title: Chester & Lester/Guitar Monsters
Rating:
Release Date: 1998-10-27
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: It's Been a Long, Long Time 2: Medley: Moonglow/Picnic 3: Caravan 4: It Had to Be You 5: Out of Nowhere 6: Avalon 7: Birth of the Blues 8: Someday, Sweetheart 9: 'Deed I Do 10: Lover, Come Back to Me 11: Limehouse Blues 12: I Want to Be Happy 13: Over the Rainbow 14: Meditation 15: Lazy River 16: I'm Your Greatest Fan 17: It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 18: I Surrender, Dear 19: Brazil 20: Give My Love to Nell 21: Hot Toddy

Great Pair!
I have them on vinyl. These albums (or combined CDs) are some of the best guitar ever recorded. There are no overdubs or studio tricks (although there maybe alternate tracks, or false starts that don't show). LIVE recording is the best there is. These guys pick it up, and lay it down. Chet Atkins produced a lot of songs that I wouldn't listen to twice, but as a musician, he doesn't have a lot of peers. If you like this album, check out "Neck and Neck" with Mark Knopfler, and if you like flat out pickin', listen to Tommy Emmanuel, he thought Atkins was God, and reflects a lot of his style. There is so much fine music in this indescribable genre (think Leo Kottke), that it's a shame "pop" music just passes it by. Real guitar aficionados know these folks and the work they did (and continue to do). .


old guys that shine
As a guitarist who now appreciates what I used to think of as kitsch or corn pone, this album not only showcases each player's virtuoso style from Chet's extraordinary clean Gretsch guitar fingerpicking and great arrangments to Les' Les Paul and his incomparable trills, fills, speed runs and his Paulveriser (the echo unit and /or chorus). This double album (Chester and Lester AND Guitar Giants) is a particularly fun CD-it was my first sojourn. These are the guys who pioneered electric pop guitar excellence and electronic innovations. I cannot recommend a better album for those who would like a taste of each player. Some cool tunes, some fun chatter included in the studio giving insights into these two old pros.


These virtuosos are just having a great time!
. . and it shows!.


This is Great Music!
. . . This is some great instrumental music, very guitar oriented. I was younger when I heard this music, I was 14-15, and listening to the typical Joe Satriani kinda music. However, i'm a jazz fan, and I am not the biggest fan of country music, but this music is just. . . . fun. That one word can explain the whole collection: it is no more or less. These guys are having a great time here, and what is really cool is that instead of trying to play better than the next guy, they seem to complement each others playing. . . . . I have very few qualms with this music. If it had been bad, this music would've never been voted for Grammy's and sold so well. It is in fact quite good music. My biggest complain is with Les Paul and his guitar tone. It is quite dry, with a lot of echo and reverb, and a little distant in the mix. It works on some tunes, but the fact that he uses the same guitar and the same tone on pretty much every tune gets sort of annoying at times. On the other hand, Chet Atkins does a nice job of alternating between his warm electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and he really makes the most of his instruments, tonally. There is some phasing and some other sort of effects on the guitars in places here, and the music definetly sounds dated in places, especially with all of the electric piano. Besides these little nit-picks, this is very lively, fun, exciting music. There is no distortion here, no heavy rock licks, just some old fashioned country/jazz/Django-esque playing going on here. It's a great listen, and if you are stuck in a primairly rock instrumental world, try listening to the music here. It is really great. .


Outstanding guitar
The sound on this CD is amazing. Chet Atkins and Les Paul are both guitar geniuses, each with their own unique style, which blend perfectly on this CD. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys perfect high fidelity sound and outstanding musicians. Ed Quasebarth.


You can see a complete list of all Chet Atkins discography, or go back to the Chet Atkins tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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