Chet Atkins "Walk Don't Run'

[jacka123100]

If Chet Atkins was Mr Guitar, #1 then Les Paul was Mr. Guitar #1A. They are both fabulous.

[jacka123100]

This song was actually made and recorded by Johnny Smith in 1955. Doesn't sound anywhere as good as this though. Chet Atkins is probably the best guitarist ever. Wasn't known as

"Mr. Guitar" for nothing.

[surfstomp]

At this age he looks like George Bush.

[suesewell1]

Having just listened to all the 'group' versions, this is so beautiful, he makes his guitar talk. amazing man.

[maurieer]

Thanks again Doug.

I really appreciate the fabulous music of Mr. Guitar that you have down-loaded.

Without you, I dread that Chet,(Mr. Guitar) would be forgotten and that, IMO would be

a disaster.

Many thanks to you Doug.

[quiglearo]

Long Live His Soul of Music. One of the best pickers ever.

[1954tele]

Guitar for sale....

[mawldropper]

to my friend kenny metal sales

[NordicHero]

/watch?v=x5C91taBlwE

[glorybra]

Chet could make a guitar talk!

[MadnessOfMarmots]

Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel are the master of rearranging pieces for guitar. They are also two of the best -- if not the best -- guitarist in the world.

[elemental47]

7 people ran

[noisepuppet]

Best version of this.

[mrcircumspect1]

What model guitar is he playing. It kind of looks like one of his hybrids -- but the headstock is unusal.

[Crackers2549]

Chet was God chosen to be one of the Masters of Guitar!... A man that slept every night in a chair because of his athsma and went to sleep with his guitar! AWESOME!... He loved playing guitar and it showed!...Mr. Guitar!

[tomnanD3]

Always a pleasure to listen to The Master.

[Mr81668]

Chet , you blew my mind with this once again. You had more licks than a new orleans whore house. UNREAL.

[childofthe70s2]

Chet is awesome!

[daffydoug]

@childofthe70s2 The one and only original Mr Guitar!

[drfranklinjohnson]

could i transplant his hands and brain  Doctor J.

[redgreenbrownblue]

:) amazing.

[dreadnought45]

This was written and recorded by jazz guitarist Johnny Smith. This was before Chet and the Ventures got a hold of it.

Ken, Toronto, Ont.

[IndianaSurfGuitar]

My two all time favorite guitar players = Chet Atkins & Leo Kottke.

[ridgerunner94]

I actually like "Walk Don't Run '64" better than the original.

[clydehrichards]

yep

[chitlika]

He only Gigs for God now So you is gonna have to wait till you gets you ticket for the Great Gig in the sky

[VANEPS7]

@chitlika I think he was God.

[ridgerunner94]

As far as I know this is the first recording of this tune. The Ventures discovered it on a Chet LP.

[daffydoug]

@ridgerunner94 Yes,. I understand Chet was very influential in inspiring the ventures. Of course, that was one of the beginnings of rock and roll, so we could say Chet had a hand in that.

[ridgerunner94]

@daffydoug Now I recall the Johnny Smith original. Chet was also a big influence on the Everly Brothers, George Harrison, Mark Knopfler and numerous others. He certainly deserved the Rock Hall of Fame induction.

[daffydoug]

@ridgerunner94 Chet actually hired the Everly brothers when no one else would give them a break.

I read the story of how their dad talked to Chet about taking them on, while the two brothers stood and watched longingly through a fence.

[ridgerunner94]

@daffydoug You probably already know this but the Everlys' dad, Ike Everly, was an accomplished guitarist who was a major influence on Merle Travis.

[jayers000]

@ridgerunner94 Not to mention that he played on most of the early Everly Bros and Elvis (RCA) recordings in addition to producing them.

[Igamikun]

@ridgerunner94 Speaking of Mark Knopfler if you haven't heard of it, Chet Atkins and Knopfler actually put out an album playing together called "Neck to Neck" and it's got some beautiful stuff on it.

[ridgerunner94]

@Igamikun Yes, I have that CD. Knopfler has had some success as a Nashville songwriter since about the time of that recording. Chet's duet album with Tommy Emmanuel is also very good.

[Earthdancer46234]

@Igamikun Check out their videos together on youtube.

[fincaman2]

@ridgerunner94 The Ventures only ever seem to do covers, I have tried to find something original that they recorded but can't, can you suggest ?

[ridgerunner94]

@fincaman2 Now that you mention it, right off the bat I can't think of anything original they ever did. But in my opinion many of their covers are better than the original (Pipeline, Apache, Rebel Rouser, Diamond Head, etc.). I think the 1967 "Golden Greats" vinyl LP is their best but don't know if it ever came out on CD.

[Howardcarradus]

@ridgerunner94

Walk don't run-Written by Johnny Smith.

Bob

[ridgerunner94]

@Howardcarradus Thanks, Bob. By the way, have you heard Chet picking on the current Esurance TV ad? The tune is entitled "Jam Man" and was a 1997 Grammy winner.

[micmoable]

versatile Atkins----a super guitarist----never will be another just like him----REST IN PEACE CHET!

[pomssi1]

I salute the Hero of Country Music.

[3GreeneBJ]

Fan since 1959. Still a fan. RIP CGP

[MrCarlHaynes]

I bet Chet could play this one with his eyes closed !

Awesome guitar work !

[Unmummificable]

@MrCarlHaynes

I can play all of the songs that I've learned yet, with eyes closed. But this one I won't ever learn, with eyes open...

[daffydoug]

@Unmummificable I have the written music to this as Chet plays it, and you are right. it's very difficult!

[geoffmenzer]

Walk Dont Run.Was written and recorded by Jazz icon Johnny Smith in the 50's on LP called MOODS(Its wonderful) It sounded like Bach.Chet asked him if he could record it and insisted on playing it to Smith for approval.It was Chet's recording which Ventures heard and adapted to Rock N Roll.

Please listen to Johhny Smiths ORIGINAL version.It is superb as is the whole LP or anything else Smith put out. The Ventures ,alas, had never heard of Johnny Smith!

[rockme51]

@geoffmenzer thanks for info i been playing this song for over 45 yrs its my favorite and i can go anywhere and play t and i am very welcome. i always thought it was the ventures

[claude544]

I've been taking guitar lessons for 4 months now. I've played drums for 40 yrs. & felt that the late Buddy Rich was the all time drumming icon. For the guitar I feel it is Chet Atkins. The ease with which he plays & the feeling conveyed cannot be equaled. His chops are amazing & his playing is so pleasing to hear. Nobody did it better than Chet. Nobody.

[dsw65]

I remember learning this song many, many years ago. Chet was my idol. The only person who could upstage Chet was Les Paul. I also remember that the only person who could get Chet's 'goat' was Jerry Reed.

[Ozzmanconnection]

Who else but Chet Atkins?

[filmochod]

CO JE TO ZA ŠÍLENCE !!!!

Já snad kytaru střelím!

[rorygg1]

chet was the man immortalized in GUITARZAN by ray stevens, i'll take chet's guitar course C.O.D.chet influenced all who came after him. his lps with les paul were great

[Medyshel]

I really miss you Chet :( R.I.P

[MrLongtimegone]

No one can touch Chet on anything he plays.Even I can play what the other pickers play on this song.Try this arrangement

[mosrite60]

Great version of WDR. But you must really admire the Ventures who back in 1960 took this same tune and made it immortal. Johnny Smith does a super original  jazz version which no player has come close to duplicating. But Chet's version is his own interpretation from all the others & sounds great

[GrotesqueBurlesque96]

Growing up on Chet's music (I'm 14 and my dad has had me listening to him since day 1), I've learned to appreciate him, and while I love the way he plays this song, I think I like DJ Ashba's version more.

[itikey]

Godfingar

[frankiehiyo]

What guitar playing is all about. Class.

I bet Chet could pick a tune wearing Gardening gloves.

[ninebreaker21]

If you want class you should check out the Johnny Smith original.

[frankiehiyo]

I did check him out. Johnny Smith is quite a guitar virtuoso. I have no doubt chet was an admirer of his. There are certain similarities in both interpretations. But we are though discussing Chet Atkins.

Chet is of that breed of musician, in that sight unseen, as soon as he plays the guitar you know instantly who it is.

[dkfelix]

@frankiehiyo Haha!

[daffydoug]

@frankiehiyo Good point! I'll bet too!

[oddjobjujitsu]

@frankiehiyo ha ha a lot of modern guitarist's sound like they are playing in garden gloves

[wisdomstar1981]

awesome

[elletsco]

what the hell?! is there anything written on this planet that this virtuoso couldn't do justice to? i suspect the response will be "no. actually, there is nothing that chet can't do". what a missed legend and icon.

and players today think that kirk hammett or slash are gods? education sorely needed.

[daffydoug]

Amen. it's true. Chet could play "everything from Bach to Rock" with every stop inbetween. There were truly no limits on his versatility.

[taximan55]

@elletsco Actually Chet wrote this song and played it before the Venture's

[micmoable]

@elletsco I agree totally---Chetwas such a talent of talents!

[MunchyToy]

@elletsco Chet could probably have a go at most things but with mixed success at contemporary technical material. Tommy Emmanuel has surpassed him as an acoustic virtuoso although, in my opinion, Tommy lacks some discernment given his arrangements of pretty ordinary music.

[SamBlob]

@elletsco I'm going to stick my neck out and say "Manic Depression", but then again, he just might have. Johnny Smith might have, too, or might yet (unless he's dead too? I haven't heard of it....)

[UnseenEntityMetal]

@elletsco i get the point but hammet and slash havent been''icons'' in well over a decade..its all death metal guys now who are the shredders chris broderick,jeff loomis,muhammed suicsemez,and many others...that said,i agree fully chet is the best guitar player ive ever heard..but i sure do dig roy clark check out the vid roy clark guitar wizard.it blew my mind

[geoffreyefloyd]

@elletsco lenny!!!!!

[Gsusfreak4lyfe]

Daffydoug i've been watching all these chet video's and i genuinely think we could be friends lol thanks for another epic post

[daffydoug]

Your welcome!

[hendodabest]

Fantastic.thanks for posting this.I thought i heard all of his songs.I guess I was wrong.

[ninebreaker21]

The song is by Johnny Smith.

[Chiparoo22]

What a big pleasure ! ! ! ~ Seattle

[Deeplomat27]

i think also, you´ve forgotten it is about MUSIC, and that we love Music...everthing else doesn´t matter, especially more than ever, if we think we are in right or not....

thanks, and greetz

[daffydoug]

Done.

[Claire1Rogers]

@daffydoug hey there was a song of chet in which he used some stranger kind of harmonics with his left hand finger....havent seen those anywhere else...and now i cant find chets videos either...can u help?

[larjanus]

@Claire1Rogers could it possibly be 'Sunrise' ? Hope you find the one you want Claire!

[acuity67]

@Claire1Rogers When You Wish Upon A Star?

[mrbubachuck]

can someone please delete the crap some ppl post here?

[BrRedman123]

I used to listen to Malmsteen but then realized he kept rereleasing his cd's under different names.

[Mikeart978]

tbcass, it is all a matter of opinion. I don't care how good Chet Atkins is, he is not my cup of tea. I'll admit he is good, but I find his style VERY boring. Isn't music great? We can choose who we like and not listen to the ones we don't like. Again, it is all a matter of opinion, some like coke, some pepsi; it is up to each individual.

[flatpicker15]

Aren't you just mister let's all get along. Listen this guy sucks and if you think that anybody should listen to this and like you are worse than they are.

[tbcass]

I can't argue with that. I would never fault someone for not liking a particular piece of music but don't criticize the playing of a master (see

flatpicker15) when you don't know what your talking about. The fact is I much prefer Johnny Smith's original over this countrified version.

[SIRONEDRAGON]

Johnny Smith and Chet were great friends ..Use to go on cruises ( Ship )together..

[nightstringer]

I just think it is a great tune

[Nailgun51]

Yes it was Johnny Smith, and still a cool song.

[mrshyguy40]

I'm actually speechless...That's a first.

[ih8thishit]

anyone ever notice how Chet's version of this song sounds VERY similar to "windy -n- warm" ? I just picked up on that... interesting....

[Sodomschild]

Chet is an amazing picker.I love him and Jerry jamming together.Too much fun!!

[jeffandchet]

Post Script,

re-California Trios version, the Asian dude plays a super intro and rythm to this song!

Just another add-on to learn!

(Learning never ends....seems neither do critics)

[jeffandchet]

I agree Johnny102marvin! I am 54 years old and have been playing this song since I was 12.

Still so good to yet improvise, learn more medley etc. to this song and Chets Impros are amazing. (any song for that matter by these Greats)

Very easy to say things like -Nothing to it-, been hearing that crap all my life, mostly from non or wanna be musicians.

Cheers to the GF of Guitar!

[fridrikur]

Amazing that this recording is from 1957 the year that he started producing JIm Reeves first major hit Four Walls. It sounds as if the sound engineer miced his gretsch and plugged it into a preamp and recorded the sound that way. It has a fantastic almost acoustic sound. Chet probably calibrated the sound. Amazing. Impossible to imitate on stage. Only in the studio can you truly capture the guitar sound, that is why I have always prefered studio recordings.

[nocomedyjokes]

Chet recorded "Walk Don't Run" in 1957, for "Hi-Fi In Focus", his last project before assuming leadership of RCA-Nashville for fifteen years, where his vision transformed not only country, but every popular genre.

"Hi-Fi In Focus" is very simple and confident.

The guitar was a customized signature Gretsch, which George Harrison later adopted, specifically out of admiration for Chet Atkins' sound and feeling.

The charming picture is from much later, maybe late eighties.

[daffydoug]

True. When I first started making these vids, I was hurting for pics. Had to take what I could find.

[johnny102marvin]

Only somebody like Chet could come up with an arrangement like this of this famous Ventures song.

[petescurvy]

hahahahahhaaaaa! Stupidest thing i've ever heard johnny102.

It's just the way you play it accoustic. Nothing to it.

[johnny102marvin]

peterscurvy - Stupiedest thing I've ever heard Peterscurvy - we are all waiting to hear your arrangement of "Walk Don't Run". I am sure that you can play it much better than Chet or the Ventures.

[barabbas57]

"Nothing to it" - for TWO PEOPLE playing the guitar!

[daffydoug]

No, this was all Chet by himself!

[pumpo64]

This tune was not a Ventures original - I think it was written by Johnny Smith, and his arrangement/groove is similar to this.

[tbcass]

Hate to tell you but this is based on the Johnny Smith original which was recorded with an ELECTRIC guitar. A little case of foot in mouth disease?

[LaVieEstUneDanse]

@petescurvy You my friend are a douche.

[tbcass]

This is really a Countrified version of the Johnny Smith Jazz original recorded before the Ventures version.

[jaskaranjit6]

what guitar is that???

[robbperz]

i think it's a Takamine..

[robbperz]

Maybe an Ovation..

[carloundertaker]

def not an ovation

[mastermetx]

I always liked how Chet Atkins sound , a truly maestro¡

[p17s82]

Great song, great musician.

[picker50]

The guitar pictured here is a Chet Atkins Studio Classic by Gibson. Its a solid body nylon string 6 string. If Chets a fake then he fooled sold out shows all over the world for some 50 years. Plus better than 100 records not to mention 30 years as a studio guitarist. Think others are better? Well thats up to you. But you can bet they know Chet was no fake by any means.

[dclaytonw]

Hey no need to cussin'. Hey goshajazz check out "East Wes" by Eric Johnson it is a tribute to Wes Montgomery. Oh yeah, Mark Knopfler was the singer and lead guitarist for Dire Straits and Money for Nothing and Sultans of Swing are two of my favorit songs. God Bless em'

[flatpicker15]

by god!! ats right. EJ's the man and have you ever heard of bucketface i hear hes pretty good too.

[Revolutioncasino]

from some of the comments on this page, you young shits don't know some of the guitar players. Chet's style for example influenced Mark Knopfler... duh...who is that will be the next comment... sheesh, some of the comments in YouTube... just really suck. The guitar is not a fake, nor is Chet. Where is the hole on the guitar? YG2BKidding me. Chet is a fake? Google him and learn something. A.Simpson of guitar... It's obviously Bart making the comment. Guitar noobs-someone stop feeding them

[OropherThranduil]

hey man, not all the young guys like me are young shits, ok, i mean i love some of then oldies, scotty moore, robert johnson, chuck bery, carl perkins, chet, wes, all legendary guitar players who inspired the young generation.

or all the other great blues guys from the 40s and 50s.

[daffydoug]

You're a good man, then!

[Revolutioncasino]

Roger that. Mr. Guitar and Mr. Solid Body... initials LP, did a lot for a lot of others for sure. Even todays masters and tomorrows will be looking back on these ol' geezers from time to time. Not sure if Jimi would have partnered up with him, but Jimi was unique himself...hehehehe. He had his own universe.

[dclaytonw]

hey look it's the Ashlee Simpson of guitar!

FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!

FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!

FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!

FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!FAKE! FAKE! FAKE! FAKE!

[daffydoug]

Ashlee Simpson??

[dclaytonw]

This guy is a fake. He isn't even playing. For "whatmonkeyseat" and "dummydoug" thats a there 5 string.

[flatpicker15]

EXACTLY!! i dont even think its a real guitar wheres the hole. People like this really piss me off FAKE!

[OropherThranduil]

this is a real guitar, it's even his own signature guitar named:

Gibson Chet Atkins SST

just google it.

[whatmonkeyseat]

is he playing a 7 string?

[daffydoug]

No. Six string.

Daff

[Fowler665]

Need

Tabs

Now

[maurieer]

Awesome version.

5/5

[AmbyAlmighty]

He looks like Bush on this picture

[3439ra]

hes not jzz or country. hes mr guitar! u name it

[Khaled1Rules]

Is he jazz or country?

[daffydoug]

Million dollar question! Chet was jazz, country, pop, classical, blues, A little rock (He was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame)

Basically, Chet was Bach to Rock and everything in-between. there was NOTHING that he could not play. He could sound like a one man band, or he could fit perfectly in any group..band, orchestra...you name it.

That's why he was Mr guitar. Greatest legendary guitarist of the century.

[Khaled1Rules]

That's awesome, thank you. he is great.

[dclaytonw]

Hey, dummydoug obviously you've never lisen to: Yngwie Malmsteen, Eddie Van Halen, Tony Rice, or Eric Johnson. Any of which could kick this old fart's butt!

[goshajazz]

hey you genius, did you ever hear of joe pass or wes montgomery , i bet you never did, so go listen to your wanker malmsteen this is not the place for you !!!

[tbcass]

You're either a non or inexperienced player who thinks that fast shredding makes a good guitar player. Malmsteen doesn't have half Atkin's talent or ability. Of the guys you mention only Eric Johnson comes close. You'd better expand your horizons and learn there's a lot more to guitar than playing a 1000 notes per second or flashy sweep picking and tapping. There's something called music and creativity.

[flatpicker15]

you are just saying that cause you cant play as fast as any of those guys so you listen to this old fart WHO ISNT EVEN PLAYING!!!

[tbcass]

Actually I am a Bass Player (who can play extremely fast when it's necessary) but I could play fast 30 years ago (anybody can do it with a lot of practice). It took me far longer to learn what music is all about. I'll give you a pass. You're only 16 and obviously don't know much about music yet and being a musician. Come back in 10 years when you've learned something.

[Chiparoo22]

Why did your parents bring you into this world ! ????

[anitadavideduo]

I love this song!! Great Chet!!

The original of Jonnhy Smith is wonderful also...

Davide :-))

[daffydoug]

Amen.

[da19570]

there is only one guitar master chet atkins, the rest of us are students.

[daffydoug]

I know. I tried. I found the written arrangement and figured it would be easy...boy was I ever wrong!

[fblathj]

This is by far the most impossible Chet song to play I'm serious search you won't find anyone who can play it correct including Tommy Emanuel..

[Khaled1Rules]

The closest I've gotten is learning the Ventures' version and variating, I get close, but not perfect.

[oldpossum]

Don't think so Khaled1Rules--

No way the Ventures could emulate Atkins' jazzyness, so they decided to develop a simplified, yet energized, arrangement

[Khaled1Rules]

I just meant it was close, this guy is awesome. The only thing that is somewhat close, is the verse, the solos and everything else is far different.