One of the most underrated
holiday
platters of all-time,
Christmas with Chet Atkins
shows the father of
country-rock
guitar performing 16
standards
in his own incomparable style. Although the uptempo stuff such as
"Jingle Bell Rock"
and
"Winter Wonderland"
are excellent readings, it's in the slower-paced selections that
Atkins
really shines. His version of
"Silver Bells"
is, quite simply, one of the best versions of the standard ever, and possibly one of
' most arresting performances of all-time. Also excellent is the medley of
"The Coventry Carol"
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman."
Overall, criminally underrated, this disc should be rated up there with such fodder as
Charlie Brown Christmas
. Gorgeous. ~ Matthew Greenwald