Chet Atkins:

In Hollywood: (1959)

Chet Atkins is one of those towering figures in music of the last century. For a long time he was the music business. His guitar playing shaped so many players like George Harrison, Mark Knopfler, and Brian Setzer to name a few. That said, among his records some are better than others. In Hollywood is pretty snoozy, and to my ear, uninteresting. 

Mr. Guitar: (1959)

This album on the other hand is the kind of Chet Atkins record I want to hear with great straight ahead guitar jams like only Chet can deliver. After all, he was Mr. Guitar.

Teensville: (1960)

More uptempo ditties from Mr. Guitar, this time trying to get in on the music those crazy teenagers were diggin'. From the perspective of many decades removed, it seems like an interesting piece in his catalogue, but thinking of it in its time, it seems very out of touch. Key track to look up here is Boo Boo Stick Beat, cool tune for sure with a great bassline.  

The Most Popular Guitar: (1961)

When I was five or six I saw this album in my grandmother's house. I thought it was the best album cover I had ever seen...can't imagine why... This is still one of my favorite Chet Atkins records. It's a nice blend of his guitar work with orchestration, and multiple genres. Check out track one, It Ain't Necessarily So. 

Chester and Lester:

    Chester & Lester: (1976)

    Guitar Monsters:(1978)

As a guitar player it's hard to pass up a record with two of the greats playing together...even when they get snoozy. Here of course are Les Paul and Chet Atkins cakewalking through impossible guitar riffs that they could play in their sleep. No doubt the two men had fun making these records. Chet made good duet records. I really loved the first Mark Knopfler/Chet Atkins album Neck'n'Neck. These are great lazy Sunday morning albums to toss on when the sun is shining.