Chet Atkins - Superpickers (1974/2019)

Superpickers is designed as something of a super jam session, with Atkins joined by a bunch of Nashville cats, including Johnny Gimble, Charlie McCoy, Weldon Myrick, Hargus Robbins, and many others. This brings the album close to the definition of an old-fashioned pickers match where the guys all sit around, emphasizing the playing instead of either the tune or feel. Superpickers is still plenty smooth and relaxed it was cut near the end of this kind of crossover country easy listening but it's so solipsistic it's often straight-up cornball, whether it's the goofy organ and horns on the opening "Paramaribo" or the joshing around on "Fiddlin' Around" or even the mock-blues opening riff on "Just Another Rag." Once the crew all settles in, however, this flows as sweet and easy as a backyard creek, a bottle of bourbon, or a jar of molasses choose your poison, it's all here for you.