Album Review

Richard S. Ginell [allmusic.com]

With his prestige in the executive suites at RCA and in the hearts and minds of Nashville musicians never higher, Chet Atkins seems to be interested in just making music here, without any thoughts of getting a hit. He freely alternates among nylon and steel-stringed electric, classical acoustic, and resonator guitars here -- perhaps the title should have been ''Me And My Guitars'' -- sometimes using a rhythm section, sometimes hooking up with Lenny Breau, or even going it alone on Don McLean's ''Vincent.'' He can be heard at his inventive, countrified best on ''Cascade,'' picking on another tasty Jerry Reed tune (''Struttin'''), running his nylon string electric gently through a phase shifter on ''You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To,'' which ultimately turns into a bossa nova. He also modestly sings a little on the title track, a James Taylor-penned vow of companionship for his instrument. There is a mild concession to the times -- some sparingly applied string synths on a few tracks -- and the two sentimental waltzes at the close of the album bring down the overall rating a bit.