Chet Atkins – Picks On The Beatles

Chet Atkins – Picks On The Beatles

A fascinating meeting of two musical worlds, Chet Atkins – Picks On The Beatles sees one of America's most influential guitarists putting his own unmistakable stamp on a selection of songs by The Beatles. Originally released in 1966 on RCA Victor, the album combines Atkins' intricate fingerstyle guitar technique and polished Nashville Sound with some of the most recognisable songwriting of the British Invasion.

Chet Atkins was already an established guitar legend when Picks On The Beatles appeared. A hugely influential guitarist, producer and architect of the Nashville Sound, Atkins was renowned for his sophisticated fingerpicking style and ability to bring elements of country, pop and jazz together. Rather than simply reproducing The Beatles' arrangements, he transforms their melodies into elegant instrumental guitar performances.

The album is particularly notable for its connection to George Harrison, who supplied the sleeve's liner notes. Harrison was a great admirer of Atkins' playing, making his involvement a fitting endorsement of the guitarist's interpretation of the Beatles catalogue. The sleeve itself adds a playful touch, featuring Atkins wearing a Beatle-style wig on the back cover.

The first side opens with “I Feel Fine”, followed by beautiful instrumental interpretations of “Yesterday,” “If I Fell,” “Can't Buy Me Love,” “I'll Cry Instead” and “Things We Said Today.” Atkins' precise fingerstyle technique gives each composition a completely different character, allowing the strength of Lennon and McCartney's melodies to shine through without vocals.

The second side continues with “A Hard Day's Night,” “I'll Follow The Sun,” “She's A Woman,” “And I Love Her,” “Michelle” and “She Loves You.” The selection spans several stages of The Beatles' early songwriting, from the energetic pop of A Hard Day's Night through to the more sophisticated melodic writing represented by “Michelle” and “And I Love Her.”

Joining Atkins on the sessions is harmonica player Charlie McCoy, while production was handled by Atkins and Bob Ferguson. Recorded at RCA's Nashville Sound Studios, the album sits comfortably between country instrumental music, easy listening, pop and the emerging influence of rock on Nashville musicians.

Commercially, the album reached No. 6 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, demonstrating just how successfully Atkins was able to bring contemporary pop material into the country market. For collectors, it remains an especially appealing example of the Nashville Sound engaging directly with the music of The Beatles.

For fans of Chet Atkins, The Beatles, instrumental guitar, country music, Nashville Sound and 1960s vinyl, Picks On The Beatles is an essential crossover record. With twelve Lennon-McCartney compositions interpreted through Atkins' extraordinary guitar playing, it offers a fresh perspective on some of the most enduring songs of the 1960s.

Tracklist

Side A

1. I Feel Fine – 1:55
2. Yesterday – 3:01
3. If I Fell – 2:11
4. Can't Buy Me Love – 2:31
5. I'll Cry Instead – 2:35
6. Things We Said Today – 2:35

Side B

1. A Hard Day's Night – 2:26
2. I'll Follow The Sun – 2:05
3. She's A Woman – 2:39
4. And I Love Her – 2:19
5. Michelle – 2:45
6. She Loves You – 2:33