I once heard Chet talking about how he and Mark became friends. Chet had taken his Cadillac to the dealership to be serviced. That dealership kept some CDs in the waiting room for customers to listen to. He spotted a Dire Straits CD and recalled hearing that the lead guitarist was supposed to be really good. After listening, Chet said, "This boy has picked up a few of my licks." Impressed with what he heard, Chet had his people contact Mark's people and asked him if he'd like to visit Nashville. Of course, Mark agreed. They hit it off so much that Mark ended up buying a house not too far from Chet's and staying here on a regular basis.
I read somewhere that Chet had been a music hero of Mark’s since he was youngster. Their rapport and respect just leaps out of the video making me watch their faces instead of their fingers. So fun!
@@wingsofpegasus The fun and the joy in your videos, Fil, is that you never "critique" -- you look for and point out the best in everything. Love your work!
Chet was an amazing guitarist. I still can't figure out how he could play the bass, rhythm, and lead at the same time... without losing place, technique, or timing. As a child back in the 80's I would be mesmerized by his playing. Even today... long after Chet's passing... I still can't figure out how he was able to play like that. I play with s single pick, he used his fingers. He was able to play two songs at once. 😳
Mark was looking at Chet's guitar more than his own while playing. He doesn't even have to look, he just needs to know what key he's in, Love it. Both these guys are Monsters, Awesome. Cool Fil, Thanks for keeping these guys out there!
I too saw SRV open on that tour at Varsity Stadium in Toronto. Also as a real stupid 18 year old from the advice of a school mate paid my 3 or 5 bucks and walked into the Elmacombo and SRV was up stairs playing. Stupid because I didn't stay for but a song or two. That was in 79 or 80. Then 2 years or so later I put 2 and 2 together and have never forgiven myself. (Palm in hand moment) Dont know how it is these days but that room I dont think could hold more than 100 people if my memory serves me well. on a side note, I appear to be only half as daft 40 years later.
I never get tired of Fil Henley. This kid is an amazing analyst on the talent of others. I don't think I've missed any of his videos. He knows his stuff, that's for damn sure.
Mark Knopfler shows so much creativity in this performance. He has always been a master of restraint. This is just such a great example leading the solo passages into unexpected places.
Amazed at the nimbleness of Chet’s fingers at his age. He set a standard many years ago. I love listening to these two play. You can tell Mark is almost giddy to be sitting and playing with Chet. I’m sure there was a ton of respect between these two top level pickers/players. Thanks Fil for another wonderful analysis video.
I seen a how to video of Mark teaching how he learned guitar, and it was amazing. What makes him so talented and gifted is that he is so humble, and nice. He has none of that elitist attitude; his love of his craft is evident , and he is a treasure back here in the U.S.A. Again, a heavy shout out to Phil. Keep this channel going. You’re the best.
I've been playing Chet style guitar for 50+ years, and do a decent version of this song, but this duet practically brings me to tears. If I should die before I wake, I hope this would be the last song I hear in my dreams.
That is one of the greatest guitar albums of all times in my Not so humble opinion. The way they play with each other and build off each other is breathtaking. Neither ever tries to outshine the other it’s just two perfectionist showing what a lifetime of practice does when they’re working together.
Yeah, Communique is one of the most underrated albums of all time IMO. A tour de force. What's remarkable to me is that Chet is altering his chord voicing and tone to blend in with Mark's unique style. This is as sophisticate, while sounding simple, as the jazz greats.
Chet Atkins had been doing it for over 50 years when you see him here ... for many years in Nashville, Atkins was the director of RCA's A&R for studio recordings. He was the consummate professional.
It's like they're best friends with insane abilities ! Both make it look so effortless and the pure sound is flawless perfection .But its more than that , so much more . I can listen to this all day . So good . Thanks for your expert analysis and for sharing this with the world . You rock ! Two masters , well put . Chris
With the exception of his thumb you barely see Mark's fingers even move. He is just incredible as of course is Chet who inspired so many of the great finger pickers who came after him
Fil - Thank you for your detailed review of Chet and Mark . Almost every great guitarist when interviewed will reference Chet Atkins as an early influence and inspiration to their love of the guitar . Interestingly , Chet recognized Mark Knopfler very early in Marks career that he was a naturally gifted guitarist with his own unique sound and style . We are so fortunate that these videos are available and as You mentioned just two guitarist on acoustic guitars without the stomp boxes and exaggerated effects so commonly used today .
You know, RU-vid has some bad stuff on it. Be that as it may, I love it because performances like this live on. At any former time, we would have just missed it if we weren't there or didn't catch it live on tv. It's a great time to be alive ladies and gentlemen.
Fan-freaking-tastic, I'm thrilled that you're checking out more of the country genre! The amazing technical Talent within the country & western world is astounding, especially what we consider classic! 60s, 70s,and the 80s!!!!
That was BRILLIANT!!! Mark's facial expressions cracked me up. LOL. I'm inspired to keep learning and practising playing my ukulele which I picked up last year for fun.
Thanks Fil, this is so much fun-and educational. This non-musician won’t pretend to follow all the technical specifics, but once again I come away with a better understanding of what the guitar playing process is about. Love it.
I just love watching great musicians who admire and respect each other getting together to harmonize. In the case of Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler it's like musical alchemy. Result: delicious, golden ear candy.
So great post! "I'll See You In My Dreams" is a popular tune of the roaring 20's. It's amazing how Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler combine their styles and create on the spot one after another alternative phrasing of each part of the melody. I think the most interesting is how they support the other in the leading. Two different rhythm and bass fingerpicking that are absolutely a piece of art.
Two extraordinary guitar players who are just enjoying jamming together. They're not trying to out-do one another. Each guy is picking his own special technique and it's so first-rate how their styles fit together like pieces in a puzzle. Man, to pick with either of these guys would be a dream come true for any man who picks an axe.
I know this is an older video, but I just stumbled across it tonight and had to comment. I lived in Nashville in the 80s and 90s working in the music industry and had the pleasure of seeing Chet and Mark perform live at the Chet Atkins & Friends concert which was recorded for a Cinemax television special. It was such an amazing night of entertainment! I definitely appreciate your analysis of artists who were around before the days of Autotune and Pitch Correction, especially those from the world of country music. There have been so many amazing artists in that genre who, sadly, are often overlooked when media companies and magazines put out Top 100 lists of bands, musicians, singers, etc. I'll sum things up by just saying thank you for helping younger generations discover and learn more about these amazing artists from years past. More importantly, thank you for educating them on what made these artists so incredible. You'll doing great work here on your channel, Fil!!
I once mentioned Chet Atkins as being one of the best guitarists ever, and man, I got told off like you would NOT believe. I guess metal heads think only metal guitarists are the "real" players. To each their own, I guess. Incidentally, that smile on your face...it's WONDERFUL to see someone who is truly ENJOYING what they are hearing.
If you ask other guitarists, good ones, I'll bet 99% of them acknowledge Chet Atkins as a true master. Real musicians can distinguish between mere flash and real talent.
Two masters having a blast together! My name is Atkins,and if you saw a pic of my dad,you would think he and Chet were brothers,but they are not,but maybe related some how.Not that that means anything.I love the other videos of these two playing together! Thanks Fil!
I love the admiration and respect Mark Knopfler has for Chet Atkins. You could tell that Mark was really enjoying himself as well as Chet. Great choice here Rock!
Mark is my hero! His finger picking style is pretty much unmatched. I've watched several videos of him showing his style and describing how he developed it. As much practice as I put in you'd think I'd have it down pat. I still don't...
My Dad had this recorded on a VHS tape back around 1988, seeing it for the first time was jaw dropping! But that special moment inspired me so much i began to learn guitar. 30 years later and watching it again is quite emotional! Thank you Chet and Mark for such amazing performance and thank you Fil for another great video! 🤘🎸✌
I’ve loved Chet Atkins since I was in my early teens, and not only was he a fantastic guitarist, but he basically created the Nashville sound that was probably the reason that country music crossed over into popular music. His accomplishments as a producer, arranger, and accompanist are often over looked.
Fil, I'm really glad to see you review this. This is one of my favorite "guitar" videos on YT. It's all just so clean...nothing gets in the way of the notes they spin out, and for both of them, the technique is only a venue to the musicianship. The technique is there, but it's not the focus....it's just a means to the real end. And I'm not even a guitarist, I'm clarinet and saxophone player.
I'm also a huge fan of Mark's and his work with Dire Straits. The solos he does on the live album "Live Alchemy" on songs like Tunnel of Love, Telegraph Road, and Once Upon a Time in the West are excellent examples of his rock style.
FIL, THANKS FOR THE VIDEO, AND YOUR GREAT COMMENTS, THE ALBUM THEY DID CALLED NECK AND NECK, THESE 2 TOGEATHER IS JUST THE TOP, IT JUST MAKES ME WANT TO PLAY GUITAR, R,I,P, TO CHET, HE IS MISSED, COUSIN FIGEL
I have that CD with both of them on it. They are so wonderful. Words fail me. RIP Chet! I adore Mark and when I first heard his voice in Sultans of Swing I thought he sounded a lot like Bob Dylan. I knew that song was very special as soon as I heard it years ago.
Chet Atkins let’s fly the sweetest, tastiest run at the 8:10 mark. It’s just perfect for the music at that moment but holy guacamole it’s almost unrepeatable and technically perfect! Best of all - these 2 friends obviously are having a great time and respect each other’s music.
Both on Acoustic Guitar .. Quite the compliment that Chet is Collaborating with Mark Knopfler .. I wish I would have shared this video with my Grandfather when he was alive..
Two Masters at work.I had the honour of meeting the late Glen Campbell about 16 years ago 'one to one' Ha told me then how much he admired Chet . Mark is a fabulous player too.
Love this- Chet is great. Learnt this from a luthier I worked for from 13 yrs. old . My nails are real- they grow so quickly. What an awesome run that stuns Mark. Anyone , like thee guys, who play this , and much more ( see RU-vid) should be awestruck at this pair of pickers. thanks Fil.
Well done buddy. I’m french and I was a close friend of Chet, Mister Guitar, and his family. He invited me 6 times in Nashville for his CAAS guitar festival. He accepted to come twice in France to play in my guitar festival. Then one day, in Nashville, he signed one of his Gibson Country Gentleman and gave "SHE" to me, it’s my treasure ! So sad he is gone too soon... You surely know that "I see you in my dreams" was recorded in the last fifty be the fantastic Django Reinhardt... My advice : listen to the version that Stochello Rosenberg had recorded about fifteen years ago... Thanks for your nice video. RobertZePrez (Chet gave me that surname)
I see I'm really late on this one but was looking for analysis on Chet and Mark's collaboration. I was relieved when I saw it was you. For someone who casually plays guitar and sees this,it is truly amazing. Somewhat discouraging as well. Lol. Thanks for the vid.
The album they recorded together "Neck & Neck" is wonderful! Two great musicians and friends playing TOGETHER, I'm sure that if one were to film them playing on a front porch it would be an almost identical performance as in front of a crowd. Brilliant!
I like how, in several videos, you’ve referred to how there’s no battle of egos between the two guitarists. Believe me, there’s plenty of ego present. It’s just tempered by classiness and mutual respect.
I remember seeing Chet when l was a kid on tv. I was amazed. About the same timel saw Jerry Lee Lewis on the tv. It was on! I started trying to teach myself to play on my Dads guitar. I kept breaking strings. He me my own . A 1948 Martin. Made the same year and month l was born . Finally learn how to play . I still have the guitar. Looks like Willie's trigger. Nelson that is. Thanks Chet. Thanks Mark and all the rock ,country and folk guitarist. I have learned from them all.
Another factor, along with hypnotic melody, tantalizing techniques that keep you listening on the edge your ear, is they seamlessly interact between two different styles, Chet remains Chet and Mark Mark. It kinda under the radar. As you notice the kudos they shoot each other with their eyes, it's almost telepathic the way they're blending and styling their individual techniques on the fly. Artists.
So cool. I turned away for a minute and immediately knew which one started the first solo. Mark is just that unique. But then again, I guess I've been listening to Mark for all 40 years he's been recording I suppose I just got used to his style to the point of picking him his playing blindly in a video. Great video.
I don't know how your channel ended up in my feed, but I'm so glad it did. Your knowledge and love of the musical technique is very informative. To a non player like me, it's really enlightening. Subbed.
"Conversational picking" - I like that phrase, Fil, and I'd add "... between 2 kindred spirits." It "feels" as tho they could easily be related and share more than the same occupation. Something akin to being diff branches of the tree. Big "Thanks" to whomever shared it with you to analyze and share with us. Ironic how Akins & Knophler's mastery of the very complex takes me joyfully back to a simpler time.
Thanks for your words of wisdom again Fil. This is a wonderful video of Chet and Mark, or the Master and the Pupil. You can see Mark's admiration and respect for Chet, and anyone who doubts Mark's abilities just needs to watch this and drool.
Chet’s one of those sweet old men who if you give them an ESP or a Schecter and a Marshall half stack they will melt your face off, lol. Certified guitar player indeed. One of a kind. Thanks for these, Fil! Be well, brother, keep rocking!
I think I bought this shortly after it was released. Still one of my favorite records. Not only great playing....it's just flat out fun. It exudes joy. You can just tell that these guys are having a blast. Not just watching the vid.....you can hear it.
What always strikes me from all the collaborations, guest spots, and combined performances between the great musicians is the way they always spend time watching and learning from each other, and transparently so - they make no secret of it. The performance almost becomes secondary to watching a masterclass between greats.
I'll See You In My Dreams was a Jones&Kahn song originally. For a real treat, find the Django Reinhart + Hot Club playthrough of it, then the Joe Brown at the George Harrison memorial. Both utterly lovely.
I heard a story, Chet admired Mark's playing and wanted to do an album, so he had his people call Mark. Mark didn't believe it at first, he thought someone was playing a joke, and refused. Finally Chet himself called Mark and told him it wasn't a joke, he really wanted to work with him. That's how the album 'Neck and Neck' happened. I don't know if this is true, maybe you can confirm or disprove this story. Regardless, that album is a true classic example of two guys having some serious fun.
Brilliant..think this is fantastic thankyou so much enjoying your vids and your knowledge sharing..you are obviously passionate about these great players 👍🎸
Joe Brown played a beautiful version at the end of the "Concert for George" - but it's an OLD song (wikipedia): ""I'll See You in My Dreams" is a popular song. It was written by Isham Jones, with lyrics by Gus Kahn, and was published in 1924. Originally recorded by Isham Jones and the Ray Miller Orchestra, it charted for 16 weeks during 1925, spending seven weeks at number 1.[1] Other popular versions in 1925 were by Marion Harris; Paul Whiteman; Ford & Glenn; and Lewis James.[2] The song was chosen as the title song of the 1951 film I'll See You in My Dreams, a musical biography of Kahn. Popular recordings of it were made by many leading artists including Cliff Edwards, Louis Armstrong, Pat Boone, Bing Crosby (recorded November 27, 1947),[3] Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Mario Lanza, Tony Martin, Anita O'Day, The Platters, Ezio Pinza, Sue Raney, Jerry Lee Lewis (1958, instrumental), Andy Williams,[4] and Linda Scott.[5] A "Texas Swing" version of the song was recorded by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. The song was also recorded by Django Reinhardt and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, and inspired Merle Travis to record it as a guitar instrumental. Many other guitarists including Chet Atkins and Thom Bresh followed in Merle's footsteps. Michel Lelong, a French guitarist, published the first tab of this Travis' arrangement for the American publisher/guitarist Stefan Grossman's Guitare Workshop during the 1980s, following by Thom Bresh (Merle Travis 's son) for Homespun Tapes, and Marcel Dadi for Stefan Grossman 's Guitar Worshop. It was recorded by Mario Lanza on his Coca-Cola Show of 1951-2 and is available on a compilation album mastered from those same shows, and featuring the same title, I'll See You in My Dreams, released by BMG in 1998. An early version was recorded by Hawaiian steel guitar originator Joseph Kekuku in 1925.[6]"
Great videos - I've only just discovered them. I've seen the Mark/Chet clip before, and - whilst I always like Mark before, my respect for him increased when I saw that 'look' when Chet did the sweep. It was a master musician not being afraid of, or 'too cool' to express admiration for another master. I think that made it cooler, actually. Whenever I see that clip, and Mark's expression, it makes me smile. Wonderful! .
Thank you again. Fantastic. Mark Knopler must appreciate your work. He would have ‘pulled’ otherwise. He is very protective of his copyright and,has every right to be. Thank you, Regards AlisonX
Hey Fil, I thought you might appreciate this - Chet said that after he and Mark recorded the "Neck and Neck" album, he had a fan come up to him and ask, "Did you guys realize the tape recorder was recording you when you guys did that?" He thought that was the best compliment he had in a long time, and got a real kick out of it.
I knew that Joe Brown played I'll See You In My Dreams, but I didn't know it was his. It was really moving when he played it at the concert for George Harrison. I can imagine (especially after hearing this magical performance) hearing Django Reinhardt and Stefan Grapelli playing this. I would love to hear you analyse one of their performances, if there's a video of them playing.
mark was a huge fan of chets and while i myself didnt exactly count him as a favorite ,again i respected the man ,and obviously he contributed greatly to marks playing which ive always loved.Great video fil good to be back in the uk.
Having never been able to play with any kind of real speed, I developed a finger picking style. The way you talk about melody and right hand/ left hand techniques makes me feel a whole lot better about my playing. Thanks Fil
Do you react to classical guitarists as well? If so I recommend Christopher Parkening. I would refer you to him playing Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desire found here on youtube.
Fil, this is meant as a total compliment. I have often thought on how folk's such as yourself who have great analytical minds would be good leaders in combat as the whole picture is taken in a cursory glance. Sorry mate, ex Army. I've often thought it's a natural talent. Both Mark and Chet, icons ! Cheers ! 🍻 \m/✌
