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.
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 EPPickin' the Hits "Dance With Me Henry" and "Tweedlee Dee" as well as early versions of "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 LPPickin' My Way. The original was to be used but the later version was 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 that his early playing was too brash and rough.
Country guitar historian and Atkins authority Rich Kienzle wrote the liner notes for this compilation and played a role in choosing the tracks.
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".[1] Henry Koretzky wrote that the album displays "a stylistic versatility that his more mainstream albums never showcased."[2]
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
