Chet Atkins "Recuerdos de la Alhambra"

[megaviccky1]

Chet did a fantastic job on this very difficult piece the thumb pick actually throws off the hand position for a good tremolo a

[megaviccky1]

Great job chet I bet y

[rvic11]

After watching the first 20 seconds of this video, I knew that when I scrolled down I would see a huge amount of argument! I'm a classical player myself and you have to say that Chet is hardly as refined as Segovia or Julian Bream, but I love it! It's great to see how many musical sides Chet has.

[naturalthing1]

Chet's probably thinking "Oh dear, what am I doing here playing in front of these Boston socialists"

[cappoli]

Too many critics, just enjoy the pure talent we are all very lucky to see

[S1RUS81]

How could anyone dislike this?? REALLY? 

[parachuteman4]

Dude that tremolo is pretty freaking good.

[astoms1954]

Magnifique, Chet Atkins, le country gentleman maître du pîcking interprète cette oeuvre du répertoire classique avec une maestria et un feeling extraordinaires !

[stopwarstartmetal]

wow awesome!

[zielmarquesferreira]

magnifico

[bohs1984]

I think a lot of classical guitar players focus SO much on the technical perfection of a song that they often lack the "feel" that a regular old "guitar player" has. I have heard more technically perfect versions of this song but I don't think I have ever heard it played with so much feel. But hey, what do I know. Im just a bass player.

[musikaNeues]

@bohs1984 you might check out Ana Vidovic playing this piece

[awfulguitarplucker]

Chet Atkins playin this tune is one of the very few actually valuable reasons why Life worths being lived!

[mandyraeoflight727]

Chet could not be replaced by anyone of todays players because he not only had great talent but he also had a great Heart !!

[CJTELE]

Oh Chet I miss you. Guitar purity Chet played with love of music in his soul There will never be another like him

[georgeworthmore]

rexicano..and the rest of you holier than though egotistical big mouths. Music is not a contest nor a test. He played it nicely. He found the emotion in the piece and expressed Tarrega's ideas with clarity. I feel sorry for you and your limited ability to enjoy music. By the way did you know that when asked who his favorite American guitarist was Segovia said "Chet Atkins". What do you know that Segovia doesn't?

[NBreidenbaugh]

@georgeworthmore Well-stated. Every interpretation of any piece contains something for an audience to enjoy. Why can't it just be left at that?

[buenosaires4u]

Superb classical guitar playing.

[Pikangu]

not really that good , this's overrated . but chet's still an awsome guitarist

[goosepeuk]

@Pikangu over rated in your opinion. i think just by the amount of people who appreciate this piece by Francisco Tarrega stands for itself.

Afterall you rate Chet but not his opinion as a guitarist, he classed it as one of the prettiest pieces. There agin all too often comments on youtube have an underlying message, all too foten its "look at me, I know the score".

I'm just reminding you that you know your score not mine.

[oscardelanada]

holy Chet ;P

[crazycool1128]

is he using a flamenco guitar?

[revedmusic]

@crazycool1128 Tunesmith is wrong. you are correct. The type of guitar Chet is using above is a "flamenco" guitar. It is a special type of classical guitar that produces a tinnier, louder and more percussive sound and uses blond cypress or sycamore for the sides, (not brown rosewood or mahogany like a standard classical.) They usually have ebony fretboards.,

[endrizo]

chet playing classical? wow he can play anything amazing video pal thanks

[dann3th3manni3]

He's no John Williams, but very good nonetheless!

[vanislefan]

Enchanting. The beauty of this piece brings tears to my eyes. There is a passage towards the end that has to be the reason players take up classical guitar.

[crazycool1128]

i cant find anyone who played this song better than chet

[daffydoug]

@crazycool1128 Agreed! Chet was the man!

[tijnsanden]

Does this prove that classical guitar is the predecesser of fingerpicking?

[oscar6123]

Holy cow! He really did nail it. This performance is up there with the best. Thanks for posting.

[daffydoug]

@oscar6123 Chet recorded an entire album of classical pieces. Did you know? I've posted some of them. The thing was that Chet could play the classical guitarists stuff, but they couldn't play his!! They may have spent an entire lifetime mastering classical, but Chet could play classical AND country, rock, jazz, blues or you name it.

[boguitar87]

@daffydoug Hey Daffy, which album did you mean?? "First Nashville Guitar Quartet"?? It's hard to hear which part chet plays on that songs.

[daffydoug]

@boguitar87 I'm talking about Chet's Album called "Class Guitar"

He also recorded one other called "Lover's Guitar" which had some similar sounding pieces to "Class Guitar," but they had a different flavor

[Estonianwoodsman]

@daffydoug but could he play the classical at the same level as the classical performers? maybe not.

[daffydoug]

@Estonianwoodsman Maybe not. But could they do HALF of the other styles that Chet mastered? (PLUS classical on top of that.) Chet managed to master MANY styles of playing while simultaneously being the head of RCA's recording studio in Nashville, managing other stars' careers, discovering and promoting new talent, AND still finding time to learn and master new pieces, create his own arrangements, and put out well over a hundred albums in his lifetime.

I don't think anybody has ever topped that.

[Estonianwoodsman]

@daffydoug you're absolutely right. Chet Atkins' talent blows me away. he was an incredible artist. and to be honest, when i saw this video i was really surprised. his tremolo is kind of uneven and he doesn't produce the same quality of tone as players like williams, it's pretty unbelievable how versatile he was. i'm pretty sure he was friends with angel romero as well. so, he may have gotten some help with that.

[arfurlife]

I am absolutely amazed!! Thats a great version by ANY standards. His tremelo is excellent. It s even, and very expressive. This guy has shot up in my estimation as if he was nt high enough anyway. Simply superb.

[stevefah]

Wow. Chet was unbelievably impressive. I've just listened to Williams, Bream, Charo and several others' versions of this tune and he is as good as any classically trained guitarist on this. (And it's one of my top two or three classical pieces!)

[MieluChitaristu]

I'm asking out of curiosity since classical players seem to be crazy about technique and perfect sound

[MieluChitaristu]

I love it, but I know very little about guitar.

I wonder what 'proper' classical players such as John Williams or Narciso Yepes would say about it, if they didn't know it was Chet Atkins.

[sidewinder984]

His tremolo wasn't great but he did an awesome job. I couldn't believe this when I heard about it.

[tunesmith09]

He was seldom in my geographical area, but to this day I am kicking myself that I didn't pay closer attention to his public appearances schedule and save whatever money was needed to purchase tickets & travel to hear/see him in person. Just my opinion, but listening to Chet play anything is similar to listening to the late Karen Carpenter sing...she could have opened the 'yellow pages' and started singing an ad...I'd melt into a puddle to never again be restored to my prior state of matter!

[JMRBAQ]

Check: Narciso Yepes. Awsome spanish 20th century guitar player.

[tachuman]

As god as anyone I have heard playing this piece!

[robertdambrava]

Chet did very well considering he isn't a classical player. But still he needed to work on his timing. Cut some notes short. But I loved it.

[zalp66]

Always like to hear a great musician playing out of their genre

[Lisnageeragh]

@zalp66 Yes too often people don't move around ...almost nobody plays  classical and trad flute ...and many who try can't!

[aftc270873]

ME GUSTA SU FORMA DE EJECUTAR, LO HACE CON ROMANTICISMO, QUIZÁ NO CON MUCHA TÉCNICA, PERO LE PONE MUY BUEN SENTIMIENTO Y PUREZA. MUCHO MEJOR QUE NARCISO YEPEZ, QUE ES MÁS TÉCNICO, PERO LE QUIETA LA PUREZA, LO ROMANTICO, Y LO HACE TOSCO. FELCITACIONES A CHET ATKINS.

[powerharp60]

I saw Chet in Seattle and he told the tuning story that he mentions here. He also said he knew he had it made when he was able to carpet his bathroom. It looked so good, he ran it into the house.

[powerharp60]

One of the greatest guitar moments of my life was to watch Chet play with the Seattle Symphony in 1971. It was jaw-dropping amazing. He then played a solo piece similar to this and no one moved a muscle as he captivated the audience in the Opera House.

[Applefan1995]

I'll never view classical guitar the same way again after this performance.... simply magnificent....

[gundwolf]

He plays it with more tenderness than many well-known classical guitarists I am aware of.

[faipas49]

i'm amazed. didnt know this guy could play this and knowing he is not, like agavalence said, a legitimate classical player, this is really great! what a pleasant surprise. :)

[tomanderson92]

Without a doubt the single most versatile yet finest guitarist ever period!!! I look forward with great anticipation to being able to listen and learn from him forever in Heaven. I can hardly wait for that time to come.

[realmadridvideos]

woooow had no idea chet could play this one. Thats insane. And its brilliant execution. Lovely all the way to the end.

[bigdoodsRoCk1242]

The only thing I didn't like so much about this version was the dynamics. He should have been louder. However, he did a fantastic job, and the hammer-on he added at 3:10 made the song for me. Classic Chet Atkins

[JamesBond003half]

Whopps you missed a thumstroke apoyada 9 bars in !!

[elduendecillo07]

For being Chet Atkin's, you can tell he gives respect to this piece....not being a full time classical guitarist. It's not the worst nor the best, but there is respect there, I will give him that......................

[tesolah]

souless...not passion at all...

[boxeqc]

Clean up your SOUL and maybe one day you'll be able to make a descent and respecfull comment!

[buickdrvr]

This is one of the most magnificent pieces ever written. Chet Atkins does it better than most of the classical guitarists.

I love all kinds of music- but especially classical.

Chet was so versatile- he could play anything.

I bet he could have played classical violin if he had wanted- I know he played the fiddle.

[zxcvbnmasdqwe]

HOLY SH

Now im sure that Chet can play anything he wanted without any....

without

Damn i cant even say that :D

splendid, Chet.

[murdelabop]

And I'm sure he horrified classical purists by playing with a thumb pick.

[oknarbtal]

woooooooow

his right hand is not in the relaxed position that classical guitarist use,how does he play the tremolo??

awesome,chat was totaly an omnipotent guitarist.

[jethir]

Yeah, how he's operating dynamics in performance, i'm still wondered. I like this guy.

[kelborgui]

Very good!!!!

[gnomebottom]

Good on him!

[DUGGER1947]

The answer to the question in the last post is, Chet passed away on June 30, 2001 at the age of 77. The good news is he played the guitar with the best of them right up to his death.

Chet's music, styles, and influence on guitarists around the world (myself included) will be forever enduring.

[fairlyfastfreddie]

Like some of you I never knew Chet could play classical guitar. His tremelo is very good. I've been trying for years and still can't do it very well. What a great guitarist that man was/ is. Sorry, can someone please tell me if he is still alive? Thanks.

[agavalence]

Chet nailed it! And the crazy thing is, he wasn't even a legitimate classical player. :)

[Rexicano]

@agavalence

And you aren't a classical player either.

He does not play it up to Classical standards.

His right hand technique is no where near where it needs to be for a great rendering. The flat wrist limits his ability. Putting the thumb up over the neck limits any ability to play vibrato; which Spanish music demands.

A great rendition for a Country picker, but no, not a Classical rendition. Hear Parkening or Segovia.

It's stiff and he has a limited tonal control.

[agavalence]

@Rexicano

Are you?

Regardless of what anyone says, he still nailed it. Whether you're lookin' at it as a classical guitar player or from a country guitar player's perspective, Chet still gave justice to this classic masterpiece.

Who cares about fuckin' rules and whatnot? If you want to play something your way, then you have the full liberty to do so. It's called freewill. Which is what music really is about in the first place.

[agavalence]

@Rexicano

Oh, and yes, I've heard of Parkening's version, as well as Segovia's. But I still think John Williams' and Julian Bream's versions were better.

[Rexicano]

@agavalence

I already knew you didn't have a clue; you didn't need to reinforce your lack of critical thinking. And the term "nailed it" shows how clueless you are. Classical music has high standards...but WTH...forget about those standards...they don't apply for you. And it's not about "rules"...how ridiculous. It's about the quality of musical aspects..which you are not even aware of.

[agavalence]

@Rexicano

Trust me, I am so aware of the classical guitar standards. It is you who doesn't have even a single clue about playing the guitar. It's pretty obvious. You talk too much and that's where you're only good at.

With this regard, Chet wasn't even tryin' to play like a classical guitar player. He played it coz he loved it.

Do me a favor will yah? Take some guitar lessons so that you'll have something worthwhile to do.

[gmdinformation]

@Rexicano If that were true, then classical music must be about bad quality and bad standards because it continually produces some of the worst attempts at music the world has ever heard played by guitarists that might as well be robots because they're not musicians. All the dopey facial contortions and rocking back and forth only emphasize how little feeling they have. For every wonderful La Catedrals there are a hundred as poor quality as Prelude No. 1 by Villa-Lobos. Chet got this one right.

[daffydoug]

@Rexicano S.O.I.A R.

[gmdinformation]

@agavalence That's the dumbest comment I've ever read. There's no such thing as a "legitimate" classical player.

[agavalence]

@gmdinformation

Sure there is. John Williams has said or mentioned the term "legitimate classical guitar player" numerous times. So, you think John Williams is dumb and you're not?

You find the comment dumb, 'coz maybe you're dumb. That simple.

[gmdinformation]

@agavalence Unless God himself put it in writing somewhere that you must hold a guitar a certain way or wear sissy long nails etc., then there obviously is no such thing as legitimate player, and neither you, nor John Williams, whining about it won't change a thing. Either you're playing the correct notes at the correct time with the correct ammount of force or you're not. If you can't wrap your mind around such a simple fact then I'm afraid you're in for several more rude awakenings to come.

[agavalence]

@gmdinformation

God has got nothing to do with this to begin with, at least within the topic that we're tackling. If there is no such thing as a legitimate classical guitar player then why do they still offer classical guitar courses all over the world? It just doesn't make any sense. That's just like saying everyone can teach math so as long they know how to count.

Look, I'd rather listen to a legend and an accomplished classical guitar player like J.Williams than to a pimp like you.

[gmdinformation]

@agavalence "Pimp?" My, what an adult you are kiddo. There's a fella in the next county show offers classes in water dowsing. Obviously water dowsing must be legitimate if classes are offered in it, eh? God is the only one who can make universal rules. It's wrong to steal, and it's wrong everywhere at all times. It's wrong to be selfish everywhere at all times. You might want to bone up on natural law, first precepts, the Tao, and primordial principles because you obviously don't know much.

[agavalence]

@gmdinformation

Yes, a "pimp". Got a problem with that? What has stealing got to do with this? What has selfishness got to do with this? You're obviously trying to veer away from our conversation 'coz of the fact that I'm right and you're not. You just don't wanna admit it because of your foolish pride.

If there's anyone here who doesn't know much, that's you. Learn how to argue, please. Let go of your bitterness in life, man.

[gmdinformation]

@agavalence My problem is with unabashed stupidty, like thinking there's such a thing as a "correct" way to play the guitar. Talk about foolish pride. Again, read Plato and some other great thinkers and then put their principals into practice. It'll get you much further than stamping your feet and screaming.

[agavalence]

@gmdinformation

Sorry to burst your bubble, man, but there really is a correct way to play the classical guitar. We're talkin' about a specific style of guitar playing. Not just guitar in general. This is just the same as in mathematics, there is a/the correct way of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. In science, to form a scientific hypothesis, a person must follow its correct way or steps to come up with one. It's that simple. Yet here you are, talkin' about Plato...

[agavalence]

@gmdinformation

....when you can't even fathom a very simple logic.

[how196666]

ive listened to this now many many times and still i think its the best version ive heard,for me the emotion he brings with the piece is beautiful ,well done chet great playing mate

[berrolv]

it´s good, try adilzahrani he´s my favorite

[guitarlvr54]

I love Chet's version of this great classical song !! He does a very,very respectable job on this song ,and I mean that in a very kind way.! I wouldn't take anything away from Chet's (my fav guitar player) ability to play anything and everything !!! thanks,Chet for the years you gave us !! along with Les Paul !

[Adsem]

great version, never knew chet could do the tremolo thingy too! this version is just now my favourite together with jim greeningers version.

[guweck]

I still think that the very best version of Recuerdos de la Alhambra was played by Andres Segovia. But Chet Atkins performed here an amazing tremolo and a flawless interpretation. I need to express my respect to him. It´s a privilege to me to listen to his music.

[ravner1976]

hell.... yes.....

Chet, you could do it all!

[halloerde]

I'm Stunned! I have long respected Chet, but tended to see popular musicians as failed cIassicists. I have listened to at least 100 versions of this piece, and he, even though he truncates it, in order to be popular, is better than most classical guitarists, even though he plays with a thumbpick, for God's sake! His tremolo is more even than many, his expression is beautiful, the voices are well-balanced, and, it is what Chopin would call, " bien nuance."

[Pickinbuddy]

Chet's STILL the greatest there ever was...

[jllobet]

beatiful interpretation

[cosmic112]

Spain, the birth place of the guitar. Ole Chet.

[hayamburuk]

I'm getting my old classical guitar out after listening to this, and I'm going to give this a go

[Fixmanius]

Wow, I didn't know he could play some classical music!

[Surfcastin07]

where have you been all...your life?

[Fixmanius]

Been listening to his other kind of music.

[DUGGER1947]

I agree with Chet, this is one of the prettiest classical pieces (at least for guitar) I've ever heard. Cheating with the tuning or not, it's played as magnificently here as it gets.

[Quanuck]

Tres magnifique!

[omkaratube]

chet Atkins,the complete guitar player!

[MountainHome]

Chet and his guitar......pure class.

[JohnnyLadd]

The genres this man plays in is nothing short of fantastic. Thanks for the great postings

[jaimecivi]

"Very Chet Atkins" version, magnific!

[crazycool1128]

I didn't know chet is so good at classical guitar

[mimbster1972]

second that! Kudos to Chet, the Jet.

[fridrikur]

Stiff crowd. Chet is great as always.

[fngrpckr]

Amazing and beautiful!