Chet Atkins & Eric Johnson- "Somebody Loves Me Now"

[jaydjosey]

ATTENTION ALL GUITARISTS: This is the proper way to act. Very classy group of quite accomplished guitar players all enjoying each others playing as much, or even more than there own. Learn it!

[CJTELE]

Here's a Guy with nothing to prove .Everybody knows how good Eric is yet I couldn't help but notice a little glint in his eye almost like he was thinking WOW I'm playing with Chet Atkins 2 very classy musicians

[1212surface]

Satch & Vai in hard rock, Chet Atkins and Adrian Legg in fingerpicking, BB King in blues, Les Paul in jazz...

He just needs to play with classical guitarists (like John Williams) to collect them all!

[EarwaveMusic]

Thanks - It was very much in the moment, for sure. 1991, I think Seems like a dream... I've been thinking about Chet a lot lately. His new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame is incredible and the book that goes with it is too. Lot of great players on this show - it was my first time to play with Chet. I still play with Chet's buddy Pat Bergeson (green strat) every chance I get. He's the man. Thanks, Frog!

[Frogpond2112]

Dave, I still think to this day this is your greatest bass performance ever.

[spanishcastlemusic]

lovely song  faith

[tlcode]

I mean.. just.......Dayum so freekin tasty!!!!! LOVE YOU GUYS(respect)!

[SDupe44]

One noticeable thing most everyone has left out of their comments is a commendation for the song writer Chet spoke of. What a great song.

[juscurious]

I don't know if Eric Johnson is the #1 Rock Guitarist in the world. I don't know where Chet Atkins got that. But Johnson is certainly a great guitarist. There no question about that. But he hasn't been much on the creative side. He does other people's material. Yes he does it great and in his own style. He can play anything and has a lot class in his selections. But he's not had a lot of rock hits. I'm a big admirer of Johnson.

[liberatedsage]

Got my first chops on a Chet Atkins song book around '65. The most country getlenest of 'em all.

[TheFluffy27]

i love the way chet atkins just stands and smiles at eric johnsons playing. thats proper respect there. great song by 2 great guitarists!

[kiaweking]

Ha Ha Ha.... so much for Mark Knopfler's line ...Just a little bit country, just a little bit old..." There'll be some changes made... this is beautiful. I own the CD and I'm so stoked to find this jewel here on YouTube. I agree with greenday12321 at 3:03 R.L. Kass reminds that he is the composer. Outstanding! Thanks for posting this one.

Aloha from Hawaii,

Thomas

[rawrgDX]

Eric Johnson's tone is always amazing and very versatile! As for Chet Atkins... *sigh* what more can be said that hasn't already!

[GreenDay12321]

3:03

I died at that praticular moment, such a beautiful phrase

[bownero]

That was awesome!! Guitar playing at its' best!!

[acousticguitarfan]

Wow! Great!

[drummingface]

This was played so well!

[jimirsaysbuddy]

Chet was never a stage hog. He surrounded himself with musicians of every kind and he let THEM shine. Most of them recognized the fact that they were playing in Chet's sandbox. To be that good and also humble and generous, what a gift he was. Truly a gift.

[elpenot]

wow!...great chet & ej..thnx for posting this vid clip.

[ryan9599]

wow this song is excellent this is the reason i play guitar. beauitful

[booboobear5000]

so lovely and beautiful. thank you.

[clyde8her]

3 people wouldn't know talent if it ran right up their ass....

[lastdaysguitar]

Two of my favorites - what a gem of a performance! Thanks for posting!!!

[GodsgoodX]

this song is seriously beautifull :O

[Frizzied]

Still one of my favorites. Just as good as when I heard it the first time!! If you really love guitar pickin.. you'll love this one.

[TheFluffy27]

one of the best songs ive ever heard, wonderfully arranged and played. the happiness of playing a guitar pours out of chet and eric in this song!

[47TheSteve]

One word -- Epic...

[jfrockon]

Understated beauty.... 

[dennisl2008]

Never heard this before...If Chet likes you, then you're in. Just like Mark Knofler.

[mts2]

INCREDIBLE!!!

[birdiejoehoaks]

i had no idea eric johnson had a period where he didnt look quite so nerdy

[goldensleeves]

Who is the guy at 0:34 with the white hat?  Is that the guy who wrote the song? Who is that?

[jazz1bro]

I like this!

[Frogpond2112]

Pomeroy, this is probably my favourite live performance you are on.

[CatSquire]

Goosebumps!!!

[thenaoki1964]

Both of them are great!

[Novum07]

¡Música! ¡Al fin música!

[toneseeker100]

OH YEAH ERIC JOHNSON !!!!!

[sejemandhaha]

What effect is the young one with the green guitar using to get that... Violin-like sound at the beginning?

[1977mathlete]

@sejemandhaha Pat Burgesson is using a volume pedal combined with a chorus pedal. The volume swells you can achieve be using the volume knob on your guitar. Experiment with it, you can come with a lot of interesting stuff.

[germansolares]

And Atkins is ... ?

[Bosingr]

@germansolares Chet Atkins was probably the greatest country music guitarist ever. And recognized by guitarists from other genres as one of the greats.

[Bosingr]

Atkins was a real nice guy too. He played with several guitarists from other genres like Johnson here and especially Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits. They became close friends.

[asxefv]

@germansolares one the best picking guitar playrs in US,just like marcel dadi ,thom bresh and others

[MaggotBrain123]

There's no such thing as "best" or "better" in music... But I think Eric Johnson is the best ever still :D

[toomanygittars]

...and notice Pat Bergeson's very tasty guitar work, too!

[Bryantkh13]

i might love EJ's chord playing more than his leads. both are great though

[DaNukePaintballGames]

an amazing video.

[sergiobluesman]

eric johnson.. takes guitar to another level.. NO, i dont mean guitar. i mean music. he takes a nice song to the amazing song level. just with his soul. do you understand me?. nah. its hard to xplain. eric johnson the best. thats it.

[ectomy1235]

i agree, eric johnson is extrodinary

[imrahil2006]

Country G3 !!!

I was kidding, Ithink that's even better.

[ejlister]

Stunningly beautiful!

[brirocks]

everything about this performance is superb but my favorite part of EJ's playing is the stuff at the end where he does the harmonics by fingering the pickups. Plus, I love the last chord where he does a bar chord then releases the other fingers at the end.

[zr24X4ROCKS]

everyone on this is top notch , rip chet

[1977mathlete]

I remember watching this as a teenager, and I'm still amazed at how there's four guitars on stage and each has their moment to shine without drowning out the others.

[jfrockon]

Beautifully moving music.. Rest in Peace Chet.

[aaron1433]

There is still so much space in spite of having 4 guitarists and a keyboard. One sign of musical maturity in ensemble playing.

[backbeat64]

R.I.P. C.G.P.

[3439ra]

should think he was talking about mark first. strange. he said he was great so i hope so. i have seen 3 clips. it wasnt impressive. well well

[councilman1993]

its good, but it dont bring tears

[AgentZeroForTheWin]

mister guitar

[SLAYERSWINE1]

This song is so awesome it brings tears to my eyes.

[cgallent]

The band is R.L. Cass on acoustic, Terry MacMillian on congas, Pat Bergeson (green guitar), Paul Leim on drums, Dave Pomeroy on Bass and Randy Goodrum on piano.

Pat got that effect by just using a volume pedal to give it that swirling sound like a steel guitar.

[OsvaldoPaese]

wow...if chet atkins likes you....this must have been a big thrill for EJ. I love both of them. Cool song.

[appm81]

what it sounds like is a combination between a chorus pedal, a delay set very low in order to get the extra reverb, and a volume pedal.

[JohnGaltX007]

Does anybody know what kind of effect is being used on the green guitar in the beginning?

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

[sebm89]

U can use the volume on the guitar to make that sound, or a volume pedal. OR in this case it looks like a synth guitar.

[texymex123]

probably an envolope filter of some sort

[jfrockon]

Nice tune.....

[YukonRoxx]

Who is that on the green guitar? Looks a lot like Stu Hamm....Just curious. Thanks for posting.

[inefficient]

Yeah man, thats what I thought when I saw him.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

[sycephant]

That's Pat Bergeson. Incredible guitar player.

[merseybeat1963]

Just to think that those Suits ,which run the music "INDUSTRY", which grew up on the Beatles ,that don't see fit to release beautifull stuff like this to the "Mass Public".

They've taken the music out of the music industry.

Profit,profit,profit,profit...­...

[mcmillansabq]

The "Mass Public" has taken the music out of the music industry. The "suits" put out what sells, and real music doesn't sell, except to those of us industrious enough to search it out.

Those "suits" are not without fault, but they are only part of the problem.

It's sad, but true.

[donostia13]

After checking out thousands of clips and comments on this site, I feel moved to say Thank You to all the posters on this particular clip, for your mutual respect and maturity. All of your comments are worth reading, and I have taken something from each one.

If only all of youtube was like this...

[feral1404]

I think it's amazing that with four guitars and one bass, there's no mushy diffusion or musical clutter. Each of these guys is playing minimal yet tasteful. A beautiful piece.

[uuutheuuu]

I couldn't have said it better. I really like these guys.

[Pattyb410]

Both masters on one stage! It doesn't get better than this!

[fraud1980]

I am troubled by Chet's choice of notes at 4:12 ... i know its blasphemous to question the master but can anyone with some real experience justify it for me.. is it something chromatically beautiful or a human eff up?? I play myself and wasnt expecting this from Mr. Atkins.. he is way to melodic for this..

beautiful song itherwise. Wish someone had a studio recording for this..

[Ken5244]

That phrase is actually kinda cool, and it's definitely not a mistake. I think you're perceiving it incorrectly (no offense).

I've been "out of the soup," playing-wise, for awhile and I can't quite discern exactly what he's doing there, in terms of melodic structure, without having a guitar in front of me. He might be modulating to a minor key for that brief phrase or maybe just using some unusual, dissonant chord voicings for a dramatic effect (?). But it's definitely intentional.

[fraud1980]

none taken.. Thanks ken.. Chet was not your weather report or Wayne Krantz kind of dissonant or chromatic jazz player so the phrase was uncharecteristic of him.. still i get what your saying as well..

I love the playing.. listening to it 20th time just today..

[Ken5244]

Yeah, you're right. You don't typically hear a lot of dissonance in country guitar playing. *laugh*

Since Chet didn't write the song though, that phrase might have been already written out and maybe he just played it that way (as opposed to improvisation). I dunno ....

I remember taping this off the air (PBS) back when it was first aired in '94, and I was struck by how restrained Eric was. Just goes to show how great musicians know when to dial it back when it suits the song.

[fraud1980]

Yes Eric's modesty reflects in his playin as well as his personality.. i met him after his house of blues show here in new orleans.. what a great humble person.. i had a few question about his amazing harmonic tapping and his tunings.. he took his time.. i am a huge fan of anyone who has respect for his fans..

[nocomedyjokes]

Everyone can decide for themselves, but I think it's in, and for my money, my favorite moment in the tune. It isn't completely pretty, as in dominant-nine, but I don't find it dissonant. Chet could play real dissonance too. Consider his beautiful composition from 1953, "Hangover Blues". The dissonance is used as a joke (implying a hangover headache), but the composition is harmonically solid, the scathing dissonance, ultimately integrated and justified.

[fraud1980]

thanks for your detailed and informative reply.. yeah i have much to learn about chet's music..

[teamsleepnine]

can anyone here give me names of the other musician here?

[parakeethands]

beautiful :) 5 stars!!! play on! really inspiring music.

[kbowen88]

2:50 - 3:02

[Despond]

Wow, I never knew there was an EJ/Chet clip. Excellent.

[bugera6260]

Eric Johnson is amazing!

Great feel and tone...

[brakenbergblues]

last, not least my favorite player Pat Bergeson!

[CherokeeMusic]

This is the perfect performance. EJ was on fire and Chet kept the quiet cool.

[tickledpinksock]

Meeting of the masters.

[Claire1Rogers]

why doesnt this have a million views?

[philbx1]

Wow, what a great guitar 'conversation'!

Very pleasant subject I gather although I couldn't understand the 'language'.

No-one was shouting too loud though.

[WMDG3]

I love how Eric just plays to fit the song. Could you imagine how much overplaying a Vai or Satch or just about any other rock player would do?

A beautiful song with 2 special guitar players.

[WIIFORWII]

epic combination man

[cathecd]

Never heard that before. This is one GREAT song. Love the layering of sound. For a trumpet player to love this is saying something.

[thepola360]

BEAUTIFUL AMAZING!!!!

[ShiffronLandren]

I love Eric's solo in this. I remember seeing this as a teenager when it first came out and being so inspired. Thanks for posting.

[321Darwin]

new material please inform???

[blackshredder]

i think one should always have respect for those who have come before. it is good to see someone as gifted as eric johnson giving credit to one who has paved the way for us all

[perromanchado]

Lovely.

[flettjordan]

Yeah, blows you away..

[Zeppelinfan25]

chet atkin blows

[jlt4926]

I'd expect a more intelligent comment from a fellow Zeppelin fan.

I think he's great.

[mindreadingradios]

"I'd expect a more intelligent comment from a fellow Zeppelin fan. "

-Maybe you would, but not me. That's about par!

lol

[madjdnnfjjmfmf]

Compared to what? That sloppy overrated guitar player you like.

[Zeppelinfan25]

sloppy? I don' think so. Eric Johnson is technically better than most guitarist out there, especially chet atkins

[speedsalot]

Interesting that Eric sites Chet as an influence and obviously has much respect for him. Also, not as if Chet is in his prime here. Music is not a race; it's about personal expression. If you don't like it, don't listen.

[ravingmoderatedotcom]

Chet was giving Eric the spotlight, and playing along with Eric's style of music, albeit a laidback example. But Chet was one hell of a picker in his own element, and also a major inspiration to the likes of Mark Knopfler and a lot of others besides Eric. I think if you could line up the electric guitar greats from the 40's to the present, and have them each play a solo like they were in their prime, they'd all be shaking their heads with a silly grin at each other's work.

[DarJack1973]

:) Yeahhhhh I agree like your opinions raving!!:) dj

[whyswon]

Especially Chet Atkins??? What planet did you just land from, friend? Just as Elvis Presley is cited as the biggest influence on rock, and pretty much all genres actually today, as being the driving influence; Mr. Atkins is cited by every guitar player who is worth a dam as being the most influential. Technically speaking, Chet is probably one of if the MOST technical guitarists ever to pick up the instrument...his playing flawless, music timeless...please show some respect to a legend.

[cettyboy]

I agree!

[theshortstop84]

chet atkin likely does blow. Chet ATKINS on the other hand, is quite the guitar player :)

[seantyler]

This is the most beautiful song I've ever heard!! I'm gonna TRY to learn it on guitar. Awesome chord progression!! AMAZING JOB. like the little Country lick. lol.

[bluesborn]

Yeah beautiful.Its nice to hear musicians of this stature who trust in the melody and refrain from indulging in mindless displays of scalular gymnastics.Music,indeed all art should be an expression of the spirit rather than the ego.These guys get that implicitly.

[alicebevt]

I heard this on the Oasis in Dallas a few years ago. This station is now a c-RAP station. Gone but not forgotten. Thank goodness for the internet or I'd never have found it again. Thanks, all. Brian in Missouri

[6Vital6Remains6]

LOL the dickhead in the white cowboy hat just had to come in and ruin it with his country lick hehe...

[alicebevt]

He wrote the song, and it WAS a Chet tribute, but you're kinda right about this.

[EthanTinYQX]

Man, if I could play like Johnson, I would've been so tempted to cut loose and make him look stupid...

[receng50]

Great song R.L.!

I wish the audio guy would have muted whatever was humming during Chet's intro.

Anyway, I love the song, great musicianship all around!

It's a pleasure to work with these guys from time to time.

[bobgure]

Just sublime.

What gorgeous music. Oh, Eric. Those majestic modal leaps with that impeccable touch and vibrato. Restrained....nice!

As for Chet - what can be said by a mere mortal such as I?

[showmyoface]

I have never seen this before...thanks for posting...it's great! Now I'll be on an EJ kick for the next 6 months :)

[Joeey]

chet sounds good

[froggy713]

I was there at the taping of this in Austin. EJ and Chet also played a fast country shuffle and EJ absolutely smoked it. They did like 3 takes and each one was more mindblowing. EJ pulled out all the stops. On one of the takes, Chet got lost, and when they stopped said, "I got to watching what he was doing and forgot what I was supposed to be doing!' Unfortunately, that tune didn't make the final cut.

[donostia13]

Thanks for the cool story. Of course now I'm dying to hear those takes, but I know I never will!

[OsvaldoPaese]

Thanks for posting this great song! I'd never seen it before.

[Chromatype]

Hey...tha's Pat Burgeson! Another great guitarist...and a friend of mine:)

[jlt4926]

What a great duo they make.

[Manitor]

You were always loved Chet.

[Viktotheman]

amazing song. I'm crying when I'm listening to this song

R.I.P. Chet Atkins

[SamPorter47]

Minnd Blowing!!!

[bengear8]

a special song

all star masterpiece

[hamerexploreremd]

tab pleaseeeee

[donostia13]

Eric really knows how to play in the moment; his solo breaks were reflective of his maturity as a musician, playing passages fit for the song rather than his ego. Still, I admit I wanted to hear a really fast run, something to awe Chet himself (if that's possible).

[zackeriah87]

I can't help but agree donostia13... I think it would have worked if the song were longer but o well. It still was Amazin to watch the Great Chet jam with the "Greatest Electric Guitarist"..lol.

[Manitor]

I am not even sure if EJ has an ego. You know it's interesting, it seems like all of the guys who have no room to possess ego's... do.

[fretmonster]

Actually, Eric is one of the most humble and kind people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He is arguably the best guitarist on the face of the planet, and yet his humility and modesty are truly as impressive as his playing.

[jazu40]

Beautiful comment. I love EJ's music.

[hamerexploreremd]

jesus.. EJ looks like franz liszt with that haircut.. lol.

and he is just as amazing!!

[doristhebus]

"The number 1 guitarist of the world." We can't help but agree, Chet.

[Tangerinemustang]

aww i was wanting chet to play cliffs of dover

[jcarter1450]

Thank you for sharing this. I've never seen it before. It's beautiful. Man, Chet Adkins had great chops all the way to the end.

[nssd70]

Session great Paul Leim is on drums.

[garyguitar]

From Tyler Texas...

[garyguitar]

My comment was not attached to the comment I was replying to. Paul Liem (drummer) is actually from Troup, Texas in east Texas just outside of Tyler.

[n2motocross]

From 04:26 to the end, is absolutely beautiful. I wish Eric and all would have kept on playing for a bit more. Also Dave Pomeroy is hitting some killer Bass notes on the end as well. Pat Bergeson on the green guitar is awesome too!

[StevieRayVaughan84]

I could recognize the EJ Style and Sound between other thousands guitarists!!!For me still the best,one of a kind!!

[casanapoli]

Beautiful - thank you!

[DerekM8690]

holy SHIT! two of the best guitarists EVER together!

[Manitor]

I agree.

[1984acl]

Thanks so much for sharing!! There is such an understated power in each of their styles; Chet Adkins, the Country Gentleman with his mastery of fingerpicked jazzy/blues lines, and Eric Johnson, with his soaring, majestic lead lines -- together they paint a beautiful soundscape.

[1984acl]

Oops. Forgot to add, the title of this track is "Somebody Loves Me Now" by R L Kass (Robert Lee Castleman) who has also performed with such mega-stars as Alison Krauss and Alan Jackson.

[jmcatrow]

He's a friend of my Dad's... I actually held his Grammy!

[hamerexploreremd]

lucky lucky!! haha. gotta dig eric johnson.

[rafelll]

beautiful