Chet Atkins (with Tommy Emmanuel) - The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World (Sony)
Reviewed by Walter Carter

The muted bass-rhythm lines are augmented these days by real bass and percussion, and they give most of the music on this CD the definitive Atkins signature sound. The treble parts have been updated, too, with a zingy, modern sound, due in part to the use of the solidbody acoustic Gibson CE (classic) and SST (steel string) that Chet designed.

The reason for the broad appeal of Chet's music has really not changed much in the last half-century. His first big chart hit back in 1955 was "Mr. Sandman" (billed as Chet Atkins and his Gallopin' Guitar), a sophisticated pop tune. The new album features the same rhythms underlying some very tasteful, very sophisticated music.

Chet's compositions show the wide range of his musical vision, from the Doc-Watson-meets-Richard-Strauss experience of "Tip Toe Through the Bluegrass" to the lush, pretty atmosphere of "Smokey Mountain Lullaby." Chet;s cohort Tommy Emmanuel contributed the easy-going "Dixie McGuire" and the moody, up-tempo "Mr. Guitar," a pair of tunes that make you want to go out and buy the songbook to learn how to play them.

The world's most influential guitarist pays his own humorous tribute to a legendary guitar influence in "Ode to Mel Bay." Bay's chord books inspired thousands of would-be guitarists, and the song includes authentic guitar and fiddle solos that sound like they were played after two weeks with a Mel Bay book--in other words, awful.

For Chet fans, the highlight of the CD may be his treatment with variations on "Road to Gundaghi/Waltzing Matilda." It's classic Chet-just the two guitars. And just wonderful.