This is one of the first songs I ever heard Chet play back in the 60's and I've been a die-hard fan ever since. I never get tired of hearing him play. Thanks for posting it, Doug.
Keep up the great work on allowing more people to appreciate Chet's music. This song is a perfect example of how a great old tune can be delivered on the most tastiest guitar ever recorded...Chet's ability to take a song and put his musical devotion into it... He will always be listened to and he is more appreciated each an every tune we hear....10 stars....always...R.I.P Chet......
Ever so often someone special comes along. Roy Clark said once that it might take decades for another Patsy Cline to show up. How many centuries before a talent such as Chet shows up? I think his talent and know-how was coupled with an attitude that was so unique and rare. He gave so much to others, and no doubt inspired thousands to be the best they could be.
I'm not sure that this is "Early Chet". It was recorded in 1959 with Chet's regular session band: Bud Harmon drums, Bob Moore bass, and Floyd Cramer (soft piano around 1:39). Chet's "early" days, until '53 when he hit with "Silver Bell" and "Sandman", were hard. He got fired often because his dazzling eclectic style didn't fit the country mold. By '59, he was a star, and chief of RCA Nashville. I'd call this beautiful tune Classic Countrypolitan.
Hello again: When Paul Bigsby built that first solid body guitar for Merle about '46, it had a special sound nobody could get. He started off with Tex Ritter with those bending notes from the Bigsby Tremelo, and went on to more great stuff I still love. One was back of a Hank Penny record called "Merle's Buck Dance" and another was a part on "Steel Guitar Stomp". Later I heard him on a record by Shug Fisher called "Ridin' down to Santa Fe". That guitar was a knockout.
To start the day with Chet's playing (and to close the day with it too) is excellent!
Chet has been my favourit guitarpicker since I heard him for the first time in the early '60s. Chet visited our country in 1964 and 1973. Magic moments!
I was 12 when my dad bought me "Hometown Guitar". I played the heck out of it, so he bought me "Solo Flights". I don't know how anyone could expect to hold a candle next to him. Everything he's ever done is a masterpiece to me.
I heard Merle Travis about 5 years before I heard Chet, and was almost paralyzed with the tone Merle got on "Dixie Cannnball" a Gene Autry record. Must have been before 1946.
I read that Chet invented his picking technique by trying to copy Merle Travis on the radio. Thank you for this tip. I would love to hear that version of "Dixie Cannonball".
@maurieer -- I was approx 16 when I started buying Chet's records - similar to yourself. Got a job at age 18 working for RCA in Montreal before going to Loyola U. Still am unable to play like that but at least made Top 20 in Canada several times doing what I call schlock-rock plus soft-rock...got a few good lead lines off along the way...
I love the harmony under the melody line. It adds so much depth and character to Chet's presentation. A Chet Atkins trademark if there ever was one. No one else will ever be as great,sadly missed.
This is one of the first songs I ever heard Chet play back in the 60's and I've been a die-hard fan ever since. I never get tired of hearing him play. Thanks for posting it, Doug.
denedg 2 months ago
daffydoug thanks and thanks again-qball
behindtheqballgmail 1 year ago
Doug:
Keep up the great work on allowing more people to appreciate Chet's music. This song is a perfect example of how a great old tune can be delivered on the most tastiest guitar ever recorded...Chet's ability to take a song and put his musical devotion into it... He will always be listened to and he is more appreciated each an every tune we hear....10 stars....always...R.I.P Chet......
WillyJay3461 1 year ago
Thanks for posting this great song. For some reason i lost this posting for 3 months but now its back anyway thanks daffydoug
kuhtiapas 1 year ago
what about A Little Bit Of Blues !
darensamanthastevens 2 years ago
I've already posted it....
daffydoug 2 years ago
Ever so often someone special comes along. Roy Clark said once that it might take decades for another Patsy Cline to show up. How many centuries before a talent such as Chet shows up? I think his talent and know-how was coupled with an attitude that was so unique and rare. He gave so much to others, and no doubt inspired thousands to be the best they could be.
brucew44guns 2 years ago
that sounds AWESOME! looking forward to hearing more Chet Atkins music!
asv822 2 years ago
Stay tuned.
daffydoug 2 years ago
Your sure have some really neat Chet Atkins music! Thanks a million!
asv822 2 years ago
You're welcome! Glad you're liking it! Actually, I have almost everything Chet ever recorded.
There are hundreds more for me to post before I hang up my keyboard.
daffydoug 2 years ago
I'm not sure that this is "Early Chet". It was recorded in 1959 with Chet's regular session band: Bud Harmon drums, Bob Moore bass, and Floyd Cramer (soft piano around 1:39). Chet's "early" days, until '53 when he hit with "Silver Bell" and "Sandman", were hard. He got fired often because his dazzling eclectic style didn't fit the country mold. By '59, he was a star, and chief of RCA Nashville. I'd call this beautiful tune Classic Countrypolitan.
nocomedyjokes 2 years ago
Hello again: When Paul Bigsby built that first solid body guitar for Merle about '46, it had a special sound nobody could get. He started off with Tex Ritter with those bending notes from the Bigsby Tremelo, and went on to more great stuff I still love. One was back of a Hank Penny record called "Merle's Buck Dance" and another was a part on "Steel Guitar Stomp". Later I heard him on a record by Shug Fisher called "Ridin' down to Santa Fe". That guitar was a knockout.
whitt702 3 years ago 2
To start the day with Chet's playing (and to close the day with it too) is excellent!
Chet has been my favourit guitarpicker since I heard him for the first time in the early '60s. Chet visited our country in 1964 and 1973. Magic moments!
JAGU54 3 years ago
Chet's spirit lives on thru his music. Thanks for putting this one up for all of us to enjoy. Awesome!
resopicker 3 years ago
I was 12 when my dad bought me "Hometown Guitar". I played the heck out of it, so he bought me "Solo Flights". I don't know how anyone could expect to hold a candle next to him. Everything he's ever done is a masterpiece to me.
audiegates 3 years ago
Big amen!
daffydoug 3 years ago
I heard Merle Travis about 5 years before I heard Chet, and was almost paralyzed with the tone Merle got on "Dixie Cannnball" a Gene Autry record. Must have been before 1946.
whitt702 3 years ago 2
I read that Chet invented his picking technique by trying to copy Merle Travis on the radio. Thank you for this tip. I would love to hear that version of "Dixie Cannonball".
nocomedyjokes 3 years ago 2
I found it again on a cassette album, "20 GOLDEN PIECES OF GENE AUTRY". All were very good tunes. The album was from an Internet Catalog store.
whitt702 3 years ago
I`ll never tire of Chet`s playing either.
I was 17 when i first heard Chet. That was
54 years ago.
My, how fast time has flew by us.
5/5
maurieer 3 years ago
@maurieer -- I was approx 16 when I started buying Chet's records - similar to yourself. Got a job at age 18 working for RCA in Montreal before going to Loyola U. Still am unable to play like that but at least made Top 20 in Canada several times doing what I call schlock-rock plus soft-rock...got a few good lead lines off along the way...
HardRockLeadGuitar 1 year ago
I love the harmony under the melody line. It adds so much depth and character to Chet's presentation. A Chet Atkins trademark if there ever was one. No one else will ever be as great,sadly missed.
passro2001 3 years ago 2
Me too. Probably 30 or 40 years for me...and like you said, I never get tired of Chet....
daffydoug 3 years ago
I have been listening to this mans music for 50 years and never get tired of hearing it.
He was just the very best.
hortojc 3 years ago 2