Chet was always the consumate professional guitarist. He perfected everything he played with hours of "woodshedding" before he ever played it live. Jerry was a free-spirit natural. What he played was instantly inspired and off-the-cuff, although it NEVER sounded that way. Chet and Jerry were long time friends and picking buddies. By Chets own words, Chet worked up a very involved arrangement of a song (the name of which I have long forgotten). After perfecting it, he invited Jerry over to show it off. As you'd expect, Chet played it flawlessly. After hearing it played ONCE, Jerry said "Chet, I believe I'd do it like this", at which point Jerry played an even more involved and elaborate version of Chet's song. Chet was proud to tell that story about Jerry. These men were guitar gods, with the ultimate respect and admiration for each other's playing. When they played together, you could FEEL the love they had for each other. No jealousy or superiority; just two of the best ever sitting down and pickin' some damn fine music together.
Very well said! They were the consummate guitar players, and respected each other's ability's. So much so that they would ask the other for advice on a song, and go with it. Add in Mark Knopfler, and there would be an absolutely unbeatable trio! No one could touch them! No one could touch these two!
Mat Jerry Reed once. Just a normal person not impressed with his ability, gave the Glory to God for his success. Many yrs ago when he was in military. Amazing friendly gifted person.
People forget how great these cats were. They could play anything. The sad thing is three of the best guitarists ever Jerry Reed, Glenn Campbell, and Roy Clarke are thought of as "entertainers"
Not where I grew up. My mom and dad LOVED Chet and Jerry. I grew up listening to them, and Gene Krupa. Started playing drums at age 5 & guitar at age 7 in the mid 1970s. Don't forget Merle Travis, btw. Buster B. Jones took all three of Merle, Chet, & Jerry's playing and created his own homage picking to them, and taught it to child prodigy Brooks Robertson (he has a ton of videos on RU-vid. He's not only a great player, ego free, etc, but a fantastic teacher). Buster and Tommy Emmanuel passed on the torch to Brooks. Check him out. (I didn't mention Roy, even tho he was my favorite as a 4-5 year old, because he played mostly with flat pick. I'm talking about Travis and Boom*chick style picking.)
Chet was considered almost a gold standard in guitar players. I think it's great that Jerry Reed and Roy Clark enjoyed playing guitar with him. They were both so good. As was Chet. Thanks for the uploads.
When you can play a fret less 6 string, that’s a feat in it’s own rite. Chet was so amazing. I literally taught so many pick’in celebrities with his ideas.
Chet Atkins is a legend among legends. A friend of mine was lucky enough to interview him and asked him if he had any memorable studio gigs to talk about. Atkins replied: "Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel." Well, if he didn't do anything else! He made everyone he played with sound better, and that's the highest praise.
@@stephensmith1034 Absolutely. It was finding his '12 string guitar' LP in 1963 which caused me to develop a lifelong love of 12s. I've eventually ended up with a lovely Taylor 12 after a whole catalogue of previous 12s. Towards the end of his life I was fortunate enough to be able to communicate with him and Jeannie Black via his forum. A great guitarist who recorded some classic 12-string instrumental LPs -- not to mention his career as an arranger and conductor or his work with the Wrecking Crew and Glen Campbell.
Can tell these two loved playing together! A lesson to ALL musicians. Check your ego at the door, have fun playing and compliment the other players feel/leading of the musical direction. Most of all thank God for the gift of music and his son...John3:16
I like how Jerry is just always happy to hear the guitar make pleasing sounds. He enjoys what he hears and doesn’t limit himself to one genre, just whatever floats his boat
I have nothing to add to the comments regarding the phenomenal playing, I just want to thank you for posting this and making these performances unforgettable via YT!
Thank you John. I originally recorded these performances on Vhs tape and years later transferred them to DVD. Somehow the dvd recorder actually improved the quality. Glad you've enjoyed them!
Amazing guitar players and entertainers. They make such intricate playing look like pouring water out of a glass. Timing, texture, touch, feel, and not one missed note.
I am soo very lucky that my youth was filled with "Live" performances like this stuff. Even if it was only on the TV, you just can't get any better than this!
I don't think they were holding back. Don't think I have ever seen them "shred" as we know it today. Their way of shredding was a lot more technical. Check out Fil from Wings of Pegasus' breakdown vids. It will give you even more appreciation for what they do with a guitar
I've seen it a couple times, but chet's precision tricked me into thinking it was a normal one until the glare caught the fretboard and proved me wrong.
There are some amazing guitarists around the globe, and Chet recognizes them openly and warmly. But, for all these amazing guitarists, Chet is the one who they unanimously worship, and most rightly so.
Its a matter of taste. If I was listening to these guys at 15 I'd be a virtuoso by now. Alas,I'm 29 and just learning country licks,but it's opening doors led zeppelin never could.
Chet is playing a FRETLESS guitar - the technique is more difficult than on a fretted instrument - you have to sooooooooo accurate ! And Chet never makes a wrong move - and God Bless Jerry - what a gem he was !!!
@Neo Yep, it's fretless and he's nailin' it as usual. Pretty common for fretless instruments to have filled-in fret slots or some other visual indication of fret positions
I have listened carefully to all three Chet & Jerry CDs repeatedly for years, and have heard something new every time!!! They make their playing look so smooth and effortless. Being a guitarist for 52 years several as a semi-pro I can say without reservation that that having that much talent together just isn't fair.
Love how the ending of The Claw cracks Chet up. I was laughing too, watching Jerry play this completely ridiculous and over the top ending lick before ending with one single strummed note. Chet kept trying to keep up with him. Watching the two of them play together is just a joy. I’ve only recently really discovered just how talented the two of them were. Truly incredible musicians.
My mom played the guitar !! Chet Atkins was her favorite. She probably had ever album he put out. And played along with it and Roy Clark , Jerry Reed, and Glen Campbell
They may be gone but Legends live forever, never to be forgotten, RIP both, much love, gave so much enjoyment to the world in life and continue to do so after they sadly left us...
@@fender.munoz7 Funny how many wars have been fought because so many cultures think their god is the only one ... just proves how stupid humanity can be whereas Chet and Jerry simply resonate with harmony.
Vince was so lucky to play along with his guitar hero. He almost had an unexpected moment of incontinence when Chet told him to play. As a guitarist for over 50 years, I can understand that kind of nervousness.
Suzy is fantastic. How have I never heard of her until now? Such confidence and what a perfect voice for this kind of music. And Kenny tearing it up on the piano. What a gem of a video that last song.
I had the privilege of seeing Chet Atkins and Vince Gill performing together one night on May 10th 1991. Vince Gill wasn't on the bill but Chet invited him to the stage. Gill did a moving and unforgettable rendition of "You Needed Me". I have found absolutely no reference to this show mentioned on the web. I fear liberal internet cancel culture may have decided that the Marlboro Music Festival should be banished from any record of these concerts. I have the handbill and the ticket stubs. Leo Kotke, Larry Carlton and Steve Wariner were also there. The small venue, NYC Town Hall, made it an intimate event. The small stage made it even more personal. My dad, my mom, my wife and me watching and listening to the master picker. Moments I will never forget. Thank you Chet.
Very considerate of you to include your comment on the drummer. The idea of playing with those two icons, live onstage.....even to the most experienced, seasoned and capable of drummers would have to be something of a scary ride. And this guy is as cool as the other side of the pillow !
Wow ! that was extraordinary. Jerry is so happy playing with Chet and Chet just loves being with Jerry. I love the way Jerry sings Summertime he was such a cool cat. Musical entertainment at its best, never fails to impress, inspire and uplift.
Mr. Guitar & The Guitar Man! These songs were on the first Chet & Jerry album I ever owned. I wore that tape out rewinding over and over again to get the licks down on my pawnshop Charvel.
0:00 - Sneaking Around (Kass) 1:50 - Summertime (Gershwin(s) Heyward) 6:23 - The Claw (Reed) 9:20 - Daydream (Sebastian) 12:31 - Imagine (Lennon & Ono) 15:59 - Going Down The Road Feeling Bad (Traditionnel) 17:44 - One More For The Road (Atkins, Bogguss, Crider)
The Great Jerry Reed with his mentor Chet Atkins. Chet introduced Jerry on his American Music Shop show as my good friend, we play guitar together sometimes. He is a great guitar player/composer known all over the world. Jerry Reed did not like guitars with steel strings. He said they tore up his fingernails. He generally played nylon string guitars. I believe he is playing a Kirk Sand guitar.
They're both great.chet is in complete control watching him play is like watching cauthen ride affirmed.the list goes on.i enjoyed that thank you whoever.
What a pleasure to hear...I miss the days when major Country music stars were actual ARTISTS, not bro-country spewing clowns that can maybe play a few cowboy chords :)
Older artist from the past in general, no matter the genre. Today they rely and play so much bloody distortion to cover up the fact that they just can’t play. I asked someone who was roaring away with so much distortion and effects if he could play clean. Tried and failed miserably.
@@djrychlak4443 Who still play live with phenomenal musicians that are a band. ( Steely Dan that is). And put out recordings with the same players who play in their live shows.
Chet was an amazing guitar picker. Jerry Reed was just phenomenal. Jerry could play an acoustic guitar the way most rock players play electrics, even though acoustic is more difficult to manage than an electric.
Two of the greatest together. It doesn't get much better than this. Of course, when Chet Atkins was half the equation, regardless of who the other person was, it was going to be great. To call him phenomenal is the biggest understatement ever.
There will always be greats and we are so very lucky to have them! Chet was the man and he played with all the best of them! Tommy, Jerry, Les, Mark, etc.... All the greats wanted to play with Chet and did you ever wonder why?
Ed Been that’s what I thought it was! The sound gave it away but I’ve hardly seen anyone play a fretless guitar. Holy shit, his intonation is unbelievable. Dead on.
@@jodysheridan604 I'm glad anyone in 2019 cares enough to ask, but sorry I'm no Chet expert. Off the top, I seem to remember him endorsing a line of thin, nylon-string (piezo)electrics in the '80s, probably by Ovation, so to your first question my considered reply would be "not strictly". In the second tune, "Summertime" (@ 1:54), on which he plays fretless, I couldn't possibly speculate as to string brand, though they are nylon. The amplification is accomplished not from string to pickup, but from string pressure/vibration detected at/thru the bridge.
Chet walks the notes in style, with spats on! And Jerry. What a picker! They meld within each other's notes without stepping on anyone's toes. Dancing fingers can elicit the emotions. Ain't life grand?
Jerry was a. Master of that laid back swaggering type grooviness Always making me feel. Original yet not straying too far away from the roots God bless Jerry Reid and his eternal spirit and magnify him in the sight
Wish these legends were still around making truly masterful works of genius guitar playing & style. Love how they play similar genre’s but couldn’t play more different. Chet is so self-conscious & methodical about his playing, Jerry is playing more by ear & his feelings during those licks. But they mesh so well being as talented as they were. I can still be inspired by this even until this day. #timeless
Many, many years I'd get off work, go home and put on my Chet Atkins records...sit back and just enjoy what this man could do with a guitar. Genius. I love "Vincent," when he played to Barbara Fairchild's singing. WOW!