Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel - Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World
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Free Music Notes for Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World
Free Music Review: The Torch is Handed Off Before Our Very Ears
Hit: 4 Stars
If you're reading this I'm going to assume you already know that Chet Atkins was known as "Mr. Guitar" for a reason. If you didn't know I'll go ahead and spot you the knowledge that Tommy Emmanuel is an Aussie who first heard Chet forty years ago and thought "hold EVERYTHING", then began working his way towards emulating his hero.
The Day Finger Pickers Took Over The World, from 1997, was Chet's last recording. It does not showcase the best playing of either gentleman, but it is important nonetheless.
A little technical background: so what IS this "Finger Picking"? Probably the first well-known player in this style was Merle Travis. The technique involves using a thumb-pick (like a banjo player), but no other picks. The other four fingers can be used, but predominantly the index and middle fingers are used. In Travis-style (Atkins and Emmanuel are both superlative disciples) the thumb alternates on the lower strings, playing a base line, while the other fingers are allotted to melody on the higher strings. Chords are worked out and shared between the fingers, but when done with exceptional proficiency, the effect is as if two or more guitars are playing at the same time.
The tunes here vary between beautiful and humorous rather than concentrating on "hot". (Chet was 73 at the time.) The funny cuts include the title track and "Ode to Mel Bay", a tongue-in-cheek homage to the prolific author of millions of guitar instruction books. The hottest cut is Tiptoe Through The Bluegrass, with several jaw-dropping runs and hot licks. Most of the rest of the material falls into the category of "beautiful music", and one of the characteristics of both Chet and Tommy is that aside from their technical virtuosity, they have a wonderful touch and feel for the music. Classical players might call it "dynamics", but I'd say it has more to do with being emotionally in touch with the material they're performing.
"Smokey Mountain Lullaby" ends the record and was nominated for a grammy that year. It is a beautiful, fitting coda to the career of Mr. Guitar. If you have not yet - I urge you to get yourself to a Tommy Emmanuel live performance. In the meantime, we have these recordings.
Free Music Review: Very good collaborative effort by two guitar masters
Hit: 4 Stars
Both Chet Atkins (sadly no longer with us) and Tommy Emmanuel (fortunately still alive and kickin', or I should say, still alive and pickin') are excellent guitarists with seemingly impossible skills. Chet, as a matter of fact, was an inspiration for Tommy when he was young, and Tommy has clearly worked on that inspiration.
The CD opens with an interesting instrumental tune, "Borsalino," and every song features some excellent guitar work. A couple of songs have some humorous lyrics -- "The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World" and "Ode to Mel Bay" -- but for the most part this is an instrumental CD.
For fans of Chet or Tommy, or for anyone who appreciates advanced finger-style guitar-playing, I give this a definite thumbs up recommendation.
Free Music Review: Wonderful. A good mix of styles.
Hit: 4 Stars
Chet, to me, is kind of a symbol of America and the American culture. He's what we used to be like...and how I wish we still were. Tommy's a great guitarist and together they provided an interesting mix. Tommy is a good pick as Chet's successor as Mr. Guitar. Not only is his playing over-the-top and more than first-rate, but he's a nice guy to boot. It's nice to hear music that is not only talented, but also happy. We need more of this.Free Music Review: Finger Licking Good
Hit: 4 Stars
Very easy listening music that is a credit to the two players. Their playing blends together seamlessly.Free Music Review: The unreview
Hit: 1 Stars
Imagine hearing the fantastic sounds when two of the World's great guitar players get together-Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel. All I can do is imagine as I never received this item! Tracking shows it being delivered to my post office-across the street!! But from there it disappeared! Shame on someone!
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