Hi-Fi Holidays: Christmas with Chet Atkins

Chet Atkins - "Christmas with Chet Atkins" (1961) - RCA Victor

Hello Friends,

Its snowing out and we've got a real gem on the Christmas turntable tonight courtesy of the Country Gentleman himself, Mr. Chet Atkins.

This record is definitely one of our favorites!  Laidback and atmospheric like colorful Christmas lights reflecting off a freshly laid snowdrift at sundown. 

Released in 1961, and produced by Atkins himself, the arrangements are spare and crisp. Not a note is wasted.  Accompaniments are provided mostly by the background vocals of the Anita Kerr singers. The star of the record, of course, is Chet's six-string. Similar to our previous record, Sinatra's A Jolly Christmas, Side One features more popular carols with Atkins playing the electric guitar playing while Side Two takes a more traditional approach with Atkins going unplugged.  

The entire record is great with "White Christmas" and "Silent Night" being particularly good!  His take on "Silver Bells", however, is nothing short of stunning.

(A side note: If you've heard this album before on the Razor & Tie CD release from 1997, you haven't heard this album!  Listen to this on record!  You won't be sorry!)

The snow is still falling outside, there's no cars on the road; inside its warm, the tree is lit and we're pretty lit ourselves!  We're going to flip this record once more and probably pass out on the couch!  To the Holidays!

RATING: 5 rye manhattans in a snowstorm out of 5