Chester & Lester

by Chet Atkins, Les Paul

Overview

Chester & Lester is a beautiful and fun album by two masters. It was recorded in the mid-'70s when Chet Atkins was in his fifties and Les Paul was in his sixties. The latter had been in retirement for a decade before the recording of this album. Nashville studio musicians, including Randy Goodrum on piano and Larrie Londin on drums, back up the master guitarists, but this is by no means a country album. In fact, this album swings on classics such as "Birth of the Blues," "Avalon," and "Caravan." Other classic songs, including "It's Been a Long Time" and "It Had to Be You," are beautifully rendered, featuring Les Paul's instantly recognizable ringing bell tone and Chet Atkins' fluid, slightly twangy sound. The recording has an informal feel, with between-song banter (and even some joking in the middle of songs) included on the record, which adds to the enjoyment and warmth of this album. The listener knows that the musicians are having a great time. According to the liner notes, only two songs have any overdubs, so, "You hear the music just as it came down." And it all "came down" beautifully. [The 2007 edition included bonus tracks.] ~ Tim Griggs

Product Details

Release Date:	07/24/2007
Label:	Rca
UPC:	0828767637921
Rank:	50750

Tracks

1. It's Been a Long, Long Time
2. Medley: Moonglow/Picnic
3. Caravan
4. It Had to Be You
5. Out of Nowhere
6. Avalon
7. Birth of the Blues
8. Someday Sweetheart
9. Deed I Do
10. Lover Come Back to Me
11. The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
12. You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me
13. Caravan
14. Medley: Moonglow/Picnic

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Chet Atkins   Primary Artist,Guitar
Les Paul   Primary Artist,Guitar
Chet Atkins & Les Paul   Primary Artist
Paul Yandell   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Bob Moore   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Ray Edenton   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Bobby Thompson   Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Henry Strzelecki   Guitar (Bass),Bass
Bob Moore & His Orchestra   Bass
Larrie Londin   Drums
Randy Goodrum   Piano

Technical Credits

Vincent Rose   Composer
Walter Hirsch   Composer
Buddy DeSylva   Composer
John Spikes   Composer
Fred Rose   Composer
Bill Vandevort   Audio Engineer,Engineer
Bob Irwin   Reissue Producer,Producer
Ray Henderson   Composer
Johnny Green   Composer
Al Jolson   Composer
Isham Jones   Composer
Sigmund Romberg   Composer
Benjamin Franklin Spikes   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Chet Atkins   Audio Production,Producer,Original Recording Producer
Randall Martin   Design
Benjamin Spikes   Composer
Irving Kahal   Composer
Richard King   Mixing,Mastering
Steven Berkowitz   A&R
Eddie DeLange   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
John W. Green   Composer
Ernest Seitz   Composer
Lew Brown   Composer
John Jackson   Series Director
Juan Tizol   Composer
Jule Styne   Composer
Pierre Norman   Composer
Gus Kahn   Composer
Will Hudson   Composer
Edward Heyman   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Eugene Lockhart   Composer
Rich Kienzle   Liner Notes
Nat Hentoff   Liner Notes
Ray Butts   Technician,Recording Technician
Sammy Fain   Composer
Sammy Cahn   Composer
Mike Shockley   Technician,Recording Technician
Howard Fritzson   Art Direction
Richard Aaron   Photography
George Dunning   Composer