Chet Atkins - Alone (2023) [Hi-Res]

Legendary for his technical innovations, it's his talents on the guitar that have secured him the name "Mr. Guitar" and made him one of country music's top-selling international artists. An 8-time Grammy winner, Chet has played on sessions by everyone from Hank Williams and Elvis Presley to the Everly Brothers and Paul McCartney. His 6 previous albums were critically acclaimed releases that achieved sales success based on strong media coverage and incredible retail support - that same strategy will be in effect for Almost Alone.

"In recent years, Chet Atkins has shared albums with Mark Knopfler, Suzy Bogguss, and Jerry Reed, but the veteran guitarist recorded this 1996 disc just the way the title suggests: Almost Alone.

Aside from the strings added to several cuts, only 3 of the 13 numbers feature any musicians other than Atkins. And on 11 of the tracks, only one Chet Atkins is present; in other words, those tracks feature a single take without overdubs. When it works, this minimalist format allows us to enjoy Atkins at his best--just 10 fingers and 6 strings. Too often, however, he can't resist his lifelong temptation to clutter up arrangements with sugary string charts. Still, he dazzles on such unaccompanied pieces as his own pretty pop tune "Happy Again" and Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek." (Geoffrey Himes)

Chet Atkins, guitar

Digitally remastered