We Still Can't Say Goodbye: A Musician's Tribute To Chet Atkins featuring Eric Clapton, Ricky James Taylor, Alison Krauss, … (2LP, 140g)
Written by Michael Cleveland (A1), Tommy Emmanuel (A1), Brent Masson, (A2), Ashley Campbell (A3), Thor Jensen (A3), Vince Gill (A4), Bradley Walker (A4), Charlie McCoy (B1), Ricky Skaggs (B1), Jerry Douglas (B2), Bryan Sutton (B2), Carl Jackson (B3), Gareth Pearson (B4), Brad Paisley (C1), Alison Krauss (C2), James Taylor (C2), Guthrie Trapp (C3), Sierra Hull (C4), John Knowles (D1), Vince Gill (D2), The Chester Bees (D3)
2LP, Standard sleeve with insert
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 140g
Record color : Black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Record Technology Incorporated
Label : Morningstar Music
Original Label : Columbia
Produced by Carl Jackson
Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound
Liner Notes by Holly Gleason
Originally released in 2024
Tracks :
Side A:
1. Mr. Guitar - Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Cleveland
2. Lover Come Back To Me - Brent Mason
3. Alley Cat - Ashley Campbell, Thor Jensen
4. So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) - Vince Gill, Bradley Walker
Side B:
1. Yakety Axe- Ricky Skaggs
2. Sleepwalk - Jerry Douglas ; Bryan Sutton
3. In His Hands - Carl Jackson
4. Mr. Sandman - Gareth Pearson
Side C:
1. Windy And Warm - Brad Paisley
2. How's The World Treating You - James Taylor, Alison Krauss
3. Caravan - Guthrie Trapp
4. All I Ever Need Is You - Sierra Hull
Side D:
1. The Entertainer - John Knowles
2. I Still Can't Sat Goodbye - Vince Gill
3. Freight Train - The Chester Bees
Reviews :
"A Fantastic, Mouth Watering Project That Works Perfectly On Every Level
This Musicians’ Tribute To Chet Atkins coincides with 2024 being the 100th anniversary of Tennessee-born Atkins’ birth, and has; as it should be. an impressive array of talent taking part.
A Legendary guitar player and producer, Chet Atkins made his name during his days with RCA Victor starting in 1947 and continuing all through the 50’s, but carried on playing and producing for many years afterwards .
History tells us that in many ways Atkins was largely responsible for forming what we know as ‘the Nashville Sound’, and along the way he also helped, mentor, encourage and bring a good many acts to Nashville.
His work on albums by Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Dolly Parton, Jerry Reed, Jim Reeves, Waylon Jennings and others helped Nashville become the power it did in Country Music at that time. A wonderfully, diverse picker Atkins was a master craftsman of the guitar, a man of exquisite touch that evolved into his very own distinctive style.
This Tribute Record opens with Mr. Guitar from another man, who has few peers; Tommy Emmanuel . ‘His albums were my world’ says Emmanuel (one of only five people ever named a C.G.P. (Certified Guitar Player) by Chet Atkins), who has the company of esteemed bluegrass fiddle virtuoso, Michael Cleveland on the track, awash in intricate relaxed tones, the multi-textured piece is steeped in pieces you need to hear again and again.
Brent Mason’s lively Lover Come Back To Me, follows then we get a neat jazzy piece, Alley Cat from Thor Jensen and Ashley Campbell (daughter of another fine guitarist, Glen Campbell) who join forces to jog along on Alley Cat, showing their clever Atkins’ mannerisms.
Atkins could play anything! Country, pop, jazz, classical and bluegrass, his ability to utilise and run them concurrently never ceases to amaze many years later.
It isn’t til the fourth track you actually get to hear vocals, and that’s when Vince Gill and Bradley Walker partner up, sibling fashion on So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) as you are whisked, complete with guitar work from Eric Clapton, back in time to Chet’s association with The Everly Brothers (Don and Phil). Next up is the Bluegrass, Country act and multi-picker Ricky Skaggs alongside harmonica wizard Charlie McCoy to breeze through the rattling tune, Yakety Axe (Atkins take on the pop hit, Yakety Yak) and it’s wonderful work all-round.
One of Atkins’ more popular hits Sleepwalk follows with Dobro Maestro Jerry Douglas and guitarist Bryan Sutton joining forces to lend a little extra bounce.
Then, there’s the veteran Country and Bluegrass act and producer of the project, Carl Jackson who delivers a very thoughtful rendition of the story-ballad, In His Hands. It takes you through the life of Atkins, and more (its like two songs in one) as it becomes a gospel song
‘if they need a little flat-top in the angel heaven the good Lord will surely place it in his hands’.
Playing on countless records over the decades, many becoming classics, Atkins played a huge part in popular music’s history.
Mr. Sandman with it’s jazzy shuffle has Cardiff-born, Gareth Pearson turning back the clock. It’s certainly impressive, awash in cool enchanting riffs; the notes literally dance in the air. With exquisite tones like these, who needs lyrics when you have a guy like Pearson around.
Brad Paisley, a mighty guitarist in his own right, performs Windy And Warm in wonderful fashion, and not only can you hear the Chet Atkins influence, but there’s also a healthy nod towards another guitar great, Merle Travis, who was one of Chet’s influences, as were others like Les Paul, Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Mother Maybelle Carter and Jerry Reed of course.
On an album full of legendary acts playing and singing time honoured songs, it takes something really, really special to become a ‘genuine highlight’, but that’s the only way to describe James Taylor and Alison Krauss’ take of the beautiful, tender love ballad, the breathtaking How’s The World Treating You, an Atkins’ co-write with famed hit songwriter, Boudleaux Bryant; who alongside his wife, Felice Bryant wrote many songs for the Everly Brothers.
Here, you can hear the proverbial pin drop. Seamless! Warmed in string laden sympathetic hues, piano and pedal steel guitar etc. it flows effortlessly from first to last.
Just as you start to breathe again, Nashville’s Guthrie Trapp performs the jazz steeped and intimate Caravan.
Not only does the album pay homage to Atkins, but alongside the Superstars that litter the credits, it also showcases the talent of acts we know little about and all under the one roof.
Well done y’all.
Miss Sierra Hull not only plays superbly, but sings like an angel on All I Ever Need Is You and John Knowles and Catherine Marx place their own stamp on the instrumental favourite, The Entertainer.
Country music genius, Vince Gill makes a second appearance and does the business on title-track I Still Can’t Say Goodbye, when he offers us a tender, heartfelt reading of a treasured tale written by Atkins, and something that many of us will relate to as he recalls childhood memories with his father, and how he still can’t say goodbye.
For the grand finale an all-star cast of those taking part, come together as The Chester Bees and serve up the jaunty string popping, Freight Train to remind us of another of the many sides of guitar picker extraordinaire – Mr Chet Atkins." Magpie Review by Maurice Hope