Guitar Legend: The RCA Years
Encyclopedia
Guitar Legend: The RCA Years is a two-disc compilation recording by American
guitarist Chet Atkins
. The 50 tracks included here focus on his first recordings in 1947 to the 1977 release Nashville Guitar Quartet.
Pickin' the HIts "Dance With Me Henry" and "Tweedlee Dee" as well as early versions on "Trambone" and "Blue Ocean Echo" ("Blue Echo"). The short-lived ensemble "The Rhythm Rockers (featuring Chet Atkins)" is represented by "Dig These Blues".
The version of "Black Mountain Rag" is incorrectly listed in the liner notes as taken from the 10-inch vinyl release Gallopin' Guitar. It is actually a much later version from the LP
Pickin' My Way. The original was to be used but the later version mistakenly included.
There is more of a concentration on the early period, with a much smaller amount from selected '50's and '60's LP's. This was done in part because many of the early Atkins songs appreciated by collectors were out of print and unavailable. Atkins had been reluctant to see this material reissued during his lifetime, because he felt his early playing too brash and rough.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.Atkins's picking style, inspired by Merle...
. The 50 tracks included here focus on his first recordings in 1947 to the 1977 release Nashville Guitar Quartet.
History
This collection includes many of Chet's early 78 rpm & 45 rpm releases. Issued on CD for the first time are tracks from Atkins' early EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Pickin' the HIts "Dance With Me Henry" and "Tweedlee Dee" as well as early versions on "Trambone" and "Blue Ocean Echo" ("Blue Echo"). The short-lived ensemble "The Rhythm Rockers (featuring Chet Atkins)" is represented by "Dig These Blues".
The version of "Black Mountain Rag" is incorrectly listed in the liner notes as taken from the 10-inch vinyl release Gallopin' Guitar. It is actually a much later version from the LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
Pickin' My Way. The original was to be used but the later version mistakenly included.
There is more of a concentration on the early period, with a much smaller amount from selected '50's and '60's LP's. This was done in part because many of the early Atkins songs appreciated by collectors were out of print and unavailable. Atkins had been reluctant to see this material reissued during his lifetime, because he felt his early playing too brash and rough.
Reception
Allmusic critic Jim Smith praised the compilation, writing it was "arguably the first affordable collection to paint a comprehensive picture... Each phase of his development is documented, with an emphasis on his classic early group recordings" Henry Koretzky wrote the album displays "a stylistic versatility that his more mainstream albums never showcased."Track listing
- "Canned Heat" (Atkins) – 2:35
- "The Nashville Jump" (Atkins, Tennis) – 2:31
- "Dizzy Strings" (Atkins) – 2:42
- "Tellin' My Troubles to My Old Guitar" (Weston) – 2:45
- "Dance of the Golden Rod" (Merle TravisMerle TravisMerle Robert Travis was an American country and western singer, songwriter, and musician born in Rosewood, Kentucky. His lyrics often discussed the life and exploitation of coal miners. Among his many well-known songs are "Sixteen Tons", "Re-Enlistment Blues" and "Dark as a Dungeon"...
) – 2:39 - "Galloping on the Guitar" (Atkins) – 2:28
- "Centipede Boogie" (Atkins) – 2:40
- "Main Street Breakdown" (Atkins) – 2:16
- "Indian Love Call" (Rudolf FrimlRudolf FrimlRudolf Friml was a composer of operettas, musicals, songs and piano pieces, as well as a pianist. After musical training and a brief performing career in his native Prague, Friml moved to the United States, where he became a composer...
, Oscar HammersteinOscar Hammerstein IIOscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II was an American librettist, theatrical producer, and theatre director of musicals for almost forty years. Hammerstein won eight Tony Awards and was twice awarded an Academy Award for "Best Original Song". Many of his songs are standard repertoire for...
, Otto HarbachOtto HarbachOtto Abels Harbach, born Otto Abels Hauerbach was an American lyricist and librettist of about 50 musical comedies...
) – 2:38 - "Mountain Melody" (Atkins) – 2:09
- "Jitterbug Waltz" (Maltby, Waller) – 2:36
- "Rainbow" (Bryan, Wenrich) – 2:36
- "Nobody's Sweetheart" (Ernie Erdman, Gus KahnGus KahnGustav Gerson Kahn was a musician, songwriter and lyricist.-Biography:Kahn was born in Koblenz, Germany in 1886. The family emigrated from there to the United States and moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1890...
, Billy Meyers, E. Schoebel) – 2:14 - "Chinatown, My ChinatownChinatown, My Chinatown"Chinatown, My Chinatown" is a popular song written by William Jerome and Jean Schwartz in 1910.Jerome and Schwartz incorporated Chinese musical forms into Western music for the melody...
" (William JeromeWilliam JeromeWilliam Jerome was an American songwriter, born in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York of Irish immigrant parents, Mary Donnellan and Patrick Flannery...
, Jean SchwartzJean SchwartzJean Schwartz was a songwriter.Schwartz was born in Budapest, Hungary. His family moved to New York City when he was 13 years old...
) – 1:59 - "Fiddle Patch" (Dale Potter) – 2:19
- "(When It's) Darkness on the Delta" (Levinson, NeiburgAl J. NeiburgAllen J. Neiburg was an American lyricist. He was born on 22 November 1902 in St. Albans, Vermont and received his education at Boston University. He is known for writing lyrics for such songs as "I'm Confessin' " , "It's the Talk of the Town" and "Under a Blanket of Blue"...
, SymesMarty SymesMarty Symes was an American lyricist.Symes was born in Brooklyn New York in 1904. His first significant collaborator was composer Jerry Livingston. In 1932 they wrote "Darkness on the Delta", which became a hit for Mildred Bailey. The next year the Casa Loma Orchestra recorded their "Under the...
) – 2:46 - "High Rockin' Swing" (Avants, Tennant) – 2:19
- "Guitars on Parade" (Atkins) – 2:21
- "Oh By Jingo!Oh By Jingo!"Oh By Jingo!" is a 1919 novelty song by Albert Von Tilzer with lyrics by Lew Brown.The song was featured in the Broadway show "Linger Longer Letty", and became one of the biggest Tin Pan Alley hits of the post-World War I era....
" (Lew BrownLew BrownLew Brown was a lyricist for popular songs in the United States.Brown was born as Louis Brownstein in Odessa, Russian Empire...
, Albert Von TilzerAlbert Von TilzerAlbert Von Tilzer was an American songwriter, the younger brother of fellow songwriter Harry Von Tilzer. He wrote the music to many hit songs, including, most notably, "Take Me Out To The Ball Game"....
) – 2:13 - "The Bells of St. Mary's" (Adams, Furber) – 2:13
- "Country Gentleman" (Atkins, Boudleaux BryantFelice and Boudleaux BryantFelice Bryant and Boudleaux Bryant were an American husband-and-wife country music and pop songwriting team best known for songs such as "Rocky Top," "Love Hurts" and numerous Everly Brothers hits, including "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and "Bye Bye Love".-Beginnings:Boudleaux was born Diadorius...
) – 2:14 - "Memphis BluesThe Memphis Blues"The Memphis Blues" is a song described by its composer, W.C. Handy, as a "Southern Rag." It was self-published by Handy in September, 1912 and has been recorded by many artists over the years.-"Mr. Crump":...
" (W. C. HandyW. C. HandyWilliam Christopher Handy was a blues composer and musician. He was widely known as the "Father of the Blues"....
, George Norton) – 2:08 - "Downhill Drag" (Atkins, Bryant) – 2:22
- "Ballin' the JackBallin' the Jack"Ballin' the Jack" is a popular song written by Jim Burris with music by Chris Smith. It introduced a popular dance of the same name with "Folks in Georgia's 'bout to go insane." The song and dance were performed in For Me and My Gal, the 1942 movie starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly.-Lyrics and...
" (Burris, Smith) – 2:56 - "Silver Bell" (Madden, Wenrich) – 2:14
- "Mr. SandmanMr. Sandman"Mr. Sandman" is a popular song written by Pat Ballard which was published in 1954 and first recorded in that year by The Chordettes. The song's lyrics convey a request to "Mr...
" (Pat BallardPat BallardPat Ballard born Francis Drake Ballard was an American songwriter.He composed "Mr. Sandman" and " I Get So Lonely".-References:...
) – 2:18 - "New Spanish Two-Step" (Duncan, Bob WillsBob WillsJames Robert Wills , better known as Bob Wills, was an American Western Swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader, considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western Swing and universally known as the pioneering King of Western Swing.Bob Wills' name will forever be associated with...
) – 2:11 - "The Poor People of Paris (Jean's Song)" (Monnot) – 1:59
- "Tweedlee Dee" (Scott) – 2:24
- "Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry)" (Ballard, Otis) – 2:22
- "Blue Ocean Echo" (Atkins, Bryant) – 2:19
- "Trambone" (Atkins) – 2:12
- "Dig These Blues" (Chatman) – 2:24
- "Yesterdays" (Harbach, Kern) – 2:20
- "Walk, Don't RunWalk, Don't Run (song)"Walk, Don't Run" is an instrumental composition written and first performed by jazz guitarist Johnny Smith in 1955. The tune is essentially a counter-melody to the chord changes of the old standard, "Softly, As in the Morning Sunrise"....
" (Johnny SmithJohnny SmithJohnny Smith is an American cool jazz and mainstream jazz guitarist.-Early years:...
) – 2:24 - "Hot Toddy" (Flanagan) – 2:24
- "Slinkey" (Atkins) – 2:04
- "Frankie and Johnny" (Traditional) – 3:37
- "Windy and Warm" (John D. LoudermilkJohn D. LoudermilkJohn D. Loudermilk is an American singer and songwriter.-Biography:Born in Durham, North Carolina, Loudermilk grew up in a family who were members of the Salvation Army faith and was influenced by the church singing. His cousins Ira and Charlie Loudermilk were known professionally as the Louvin...
) – 2:28 - "Early Times" (Jerry ReedJerry ReedJerry Reed Hubbard , known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, innovative guitarist, songwriter, and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films...
) – 2:40 - "Satan's Doll" (Smith) – 3:51
- "So Rare" (Jerry HerstJerry HerstJerome P. Herst , known as Jerry Herst, was a songwriter who collaborated with Jack Sharpe on a number of compositions, notably "So Rare", a much-recorded song that was published in 1937....
, Jack SharpeJack Sharpe (songwriter)John Rufus Sharpe III , known as Jack Sharpe, was an American songwriter, music publishing executive and author. He is best known for "So Rare", published in 1937, which he wrote with composer Jerry Herst....
) – 3:03 - "Yakety Axe" (Boots RandolphBoots RandolphHomer Louis "Boots" Randolph III was an American musician best known for his 1963 saxophone hit, "Yakety Sax"...
, Rich) – 2:04 - "Blue Angel" (Lima) – 2:25
- "Steeplechase Lane" (Jerry Reed HubbardJerry ReedJerry Reed Hubbard , known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, innovative guitarist, songwriter, and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films...
) – 2:26 - "Black Mountain Rag" (Traditional) – 2:35
- "Take FiveTake Five"Take Five" is a jazz piece written by Paul Desmond and performed by The Dave Brubeck Quartet on their 1959 album Time Out. Recorded at Columbia's 30th Street Studios in New York City on June 25, July 1, and August 18, 1959, this piece became one of the group's best-known records, famous for its...
" (Paul DesmondPaul DesmondPaul Desmond , born Paul Emil Breitenfeld, was a jazz alto saxophonist and composer born in San Francisco, best known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for penning that group's greatest hit, "Take Five"...
) – 2:42 - "Blue Finger" (Hubbard) – 2:38
- "Cascade" (Slone) – 2:26
- "Carolina Shout" (Johnson) – 2:39
Personnel
- Chet Atkins – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Hank SnowHank SnowClarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was a Canadian-American country music artist. He charted more than 70 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980...
– guitar - Dale Potter – fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
- Henry "Homer" HaynesHenry D. HaynesHenry Doyle Haynes was an American entertainer who gained fame on radio and television as Homer of the country music comedy duo Homer and Jethro with Kenneth C. Burns for 35 years beginning in 1936.-Biography:...
– guitar - Ken "Jethro" BurnsKenneth C. BurnsKenneth C. Burns was an American country musician, comedian, and mandolin player. He was better known by his stage name Jethro from his years with Henry D. Haynes as part of the comedic musical duo Homer and Jethro beginning in 1936.-Biography:Burns was born Conasauga, Tennessee on March 10, 1920...
– mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... - Liona BoydLiona BoydLiona Maria Carolynne Boyd, LLD, D.Mus, CM, O.Ont, is a Canadian classical guitarist, composer, songwriter and singer. Boyd was born in London, England on July 11, 1949, moved to Canada with her parents when she was eight years old and became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1975...
– guitar - John Knowles – guitar
- John Pell – guitar