Contemporary Chet Atkins: Get hip with Chet

Author's Rating:

Pros: Smooth yet upbeat jazz with a hint of country.

Cons: The album eventually ends :(

The Bottom Line: 
This is an excellent album performed by the master of the guitar. Read the review then go get the album.

Author's Review
This is my all time favorite Chet Atkins album. It is somewhat different from his regular routine (if you can say Chet ever had a regular routine) in the fact that all the songs on this album are accompanied by synthesizer played by the one and only Darryl Dybka. This album reflects jazz and incorporates the 80's sound with Chet's phenomenal guitar mastery.

How I was introduced to this album
This album was originally in my fathers CD collection although I don't ever remember him listening to it when I was around. When my father passed away in October of 1997, my mother split his CD collection amongst my two brothers and myself. I had never heard of this album until then but I am very grateful to my father for leaving me this gem to discover for myself.

Street Dreams
Street Dreams consists of ten instrumentals, all of which are well performed and professionally mastered. Ironically, Chet only co-wrote one song on this album, most of the songs were written by Darryl Dybka. The album was released in 1986 on Columbia label.

Spats 'N' Hats
D. Dybka

This song features some good synthesizer with a mix of electric and real drums. Daryl and Chet share the lead back and forth with a short bridge in the middle that sounds a little like tap dance music. It is a nice melody with some fancy notes but nothing too outrageous for the first song.

The Crystal in the Light
D. Dybka

The title describes this song to a tee. The synthesizer plays a beautiful intro with a nice slow backbeat. Chet works his magic with the melody to almost paint a picture in your mind of a crystal spinning slowly sparkling off the light. This is a great song to snuggle with your lover by a warm fireplace on a cool autumn night. If I had to describe it in a word, it would be "Smooth".

The Official Beach Music
D. Dybka

Slightly different from the first two songs, this song is more upbeat but still smooth and relaxing. The drums have a stronger presence and Chet plays a repetitive progression but adds enough style and taste to bring it into its own sound. Darryl adds a nice chunky bass sound to the mix. I like to imagine them playing this one on a hot summers day on a beach in southern California.

Street Dreams
D. Dybka

This one reminds me of sitting on a street corner at dusk watching traffic go by. This tune sports an upbeat rhythm with a few mellow breaks that feed back into the heart of the song. Chet carries this one with an uplifting melody and Darryl accompanies with background chords and fills. Darryl does have one lead break that is somewhat short but sweet. The song fades slowly and winds down into oblivion.

(If You'll) Stay a Little Longer
J. Hall & P. Yandell

If any song on this album could be classified as Country, this one would come the closest. This tune is played in the minor and incorporates a slightly fast paced fiddle to heighten the accent. The bass is full on this song and adds a good solid foundation to the Rhythm. Chet plays a really neat lead throughout this song and the fiddle follows the lead note for note for much of the song. Some of Darryl’s piano is dubbed in with synth swells for effect. Near the end of the song they include a grueling one-chord distortion guitar to emphasize the feeling. Some fantastic riffs are added at the end of the tune as Daryl and Chet go back and forth once again. I have not yet decided what image this song portrays to me but it is definitely my favorite on the album.

Classical Gas
M. Williams

Chet takes this classic to a new level and shows the original artists just how this tune should be played. Drums are played with brushes in the beginning to give a smooth sound but as the song moves on the drums become stronger. A violin adds to the classical sound and Darryl adds some nice fills. On a side note, this song was recorded by the original artists using two guitars on two separate tracks. Chet plays the whole song on one track with one guitar playing all the parts... Simply impressive.

The Last Farewell
R. Whittaker & R.A. Webster

This one is a great song to slow dance to. Very mellow and soothing. The last part of the song has an uplifting feeling and the synthesizer takes control making the whole feeling of the song change to one of satisfaction. This song reminds me of how I feel after Thanksgiving dinner, full, satisfied and sleepy.

Alisha
D. Dybka

Another of my favorites, this song is extremely mellow but just absolutely beautiful. I believe there are words to it but this album is all instrumental so I do not know what they are. The great thing about instrumentals is that you can imagine with the music and this one makes me feel like I did when I woke up with my wife by my side for the first time and realized she would always be there from now on. The music alone is inspiring enough to bring a tear to your eye.

The Homecoming Anthem
D. Dybka

This is a nice mellow song with a slow four beat. Chet plays with what almost sounds like words coming from his guitar. I feel as if this should have been the last song on the album because the music sounds as if they are saying goodbye. Saxophone accompanies Chet on the main verse and Chet plays some of the bluesiest licks on the album here.

Honolulu Blue
C. Atkins & J. Knowles

Last but not least, this tune is solid blues done with a Hawaiian twist. A really neat concept done with extreme taste and of course masterfully played. It is really a simple song done with some not so simple guitar licks and fades out into the abyss.

Final Thoughts
This is great album to listen to anytime. The Opinion details only gives you certain options but they should add the choice "Great Music to Play While:Living". I hope this helps you decide if you would like to own this fantastic album by the Master of the Guitar. Thanks for reading.

Gr8ful :-)