Chet Atkins Albums Ranked
Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), known as “Mr. Guitar” and “The Country Gentleman”, was an American musician, occasional vocalist, songwriter, and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, Bob Ferguson, and others, created the country music style that came to be known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country music’s appeal to adult pop music fans. He was primarily known as a guitarist. He also played the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and ukulele. Among many other honors, Atkins received 14 Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received nine Country Music Association awards for Instrumentalist of the Year. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. George Harrison was also inspired by Chet Atkins; early Beatles songs such as “All My Loving” show the influence. Here are all of Chet Atkins albums ranked.
Don’t miss out the music of Chet Atkins. Click below and experience one of the greatest musician of all time.
10. The Day Finger Pickers Took Over The World (1997)
“An utterly delightful set of (mainly) instrumentals in vaguely country style (recorded in Nashville, TN) from the fingers of the late great veteran Chet Atkins and relative newcomer Tommy Emmanuel from the land down under. The supporting musicians include Randy Goodrum (keyboards), Johnny Gimble (fiddle), Terry McMillan (conga, harmonica and Jew’s harp), Giles Reeves (drums, acoustic bass & strings on one track), Clark Hagan (Bad guitar on Ode to Mel Bay) and Paul Yandell (rhythm guitar on News From The Outback). As well as guitar, TE also plays bass and brushes.”
9. Chet (1967)
“Chet encapsulates early creative guitar, with his plucky, upbeat style and Western Swing and jazz and this album explores a wide range of his offerings. Essential for anyone studying guitar theory or anyone who enjoys classic Western guitar.”
8. The Other Chet Atkins (1960)
“This collection is acoustic guitar, and Chet’s signature bass (thumb-picked) accompaniment is only occasionally evident. His treatment of the material is extraordinarily sensitive and I think the album deserves a concentrated listen to truly appreciate it.”
See more: Canned Heat Albums Ranked
7. Mister Guitar (1959)
“Atkins role in country music cannot be underestimated whether as session player,producer or A and R. He brought the worlds of country and pop together with his playing (particularly with elvis,jim reeves and hank snow ,brought through a lot of great acts with RCA as well as developing guitars with gretsch.”
6. Chet Atkins In Hollywood (1959)
“The album follows over a decade of what seems to be infinite line of hokey novelty singles. Amazing instrumentally, but deplorably pristine and dated. Although the playlist here includes new renditions of material Chet had recorded previously, the approach to production and arrangements shows the listeners – and future generations – some respect. The slapstick style production of his previous output is ditched in favour of an atmosphere of euphoria.”
5. A Session With Chet Atkins (1954)
“Chet played beautifully, but occasionally a little on the safe and bland side. The level of inspiration varies from song to song, and is mostly high, but there are a few arrangements that aren’t as great as the others. Luckily, there is a generous helping of material on the two CDs, and I’d rather have more to chose from even if it includes a few pieces that I like less than others.”
See more: Crosby Stills Nash Albums Ranked
4. Chet Atkins At Home (1957)
“Liner notes claim there’s no double-tracking here, everything was done in one take, yet there’s no question that’s Chet playing both lead and rhythm guitar on “Martha,” “Say Si-Si” and “Nagasaki.” The latter two should be familiar to fans of 1980s “A Prairie Home Companion” radio broadcasts, for these are favorites from the Atkins catalog.”
3. Chet Atkins’ Gallopin’ Guitar (1953)
” Every song here is played as if written just for Chet. Truly masterful handling of each song. Chet fans will wrap up in a warm fuzzy of familiar yet unexpected treatments. “
2. Finger-Style Guitar (1956)
“Chet Atkins had a truly unique talent. Mark Knopfler and the Edge are incredibly talented guitar players. But Atkins was “one of a kind”. His playing was instantly recognizable. Fingerstyle was one of his first, if not THE first album and changed my life forever! I will miss him and be grateful to my dying day for opening the world of music to me with this very album. Fingerstyle is in a class of its very own. I lost the record player decades ago, but I still have and dearly treasure this incredible album.”
1. Chet Atkins In Three Dimensions (1955)
“This was the first Chet album that I bought myself, having grown up with my dad’s copy of Finger Style Guitar. What can you say about this stuff? It’s very sparse…just a guy and his guitar. But, of course, it’s flawless. The sound is so warm and smooth. It is great.”