One Way Records' two-fer CD reissue of Chet Atkins' 16th 12" LP, 1962's Caribbean Guitar, and his 19th, 1963's Travelin', combines two albums that each have international themes. Caribbean Guitar, subtitled "Latin favorites by the greatest pop guitar," is full of songs with tropical connections, whether or not they actually derive directly from around the West Indies. Atkins looked to Hawaiian instrumentalist Arthur Lyman (by way of landlocked songwriters Norman Luboff, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Keith) for "Yellow Bird," ...
Read More
One Way Records' two-fer CD reissue of Chet Atkins' 16th 12" LP, 1962's Caribbean Guitar, and his 19th, 1963's Travelin', combines two albums that each have international themes. Caribbean Guitar, subtitled "Latin favorites by the greatest pop guitar," is full of songs with tropical connections, whether or not they actually derive directly from around the West Indies. Atkins looked to Hawaiian instrumentalist Arthur Lyman (by way of landlocked songwriters Norman Luboff, Alan Bergman, and Marilyn Keith) for "Yellow Bird," which actually was based on a West Indian folk song, while the members of the folk group the Tarriers claimed a copyright on "The Banana Boat Song," most closely identified with Jamaican native Harry Belafonte. But the relationship of Bobby Darin's "Theme from 'Come September'," a film set in Italy, or Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed's "Temptation," from the Bing Crosby picture Going Hollywood, is harder to discern, though the arrangements boast Latin elements. Whatever the sources of the material, Atkins and his backup band gave the tunes lively treatments, with the guitarist chording and fingerpicking his way through the melodies. Travelin' keyed off of Atkins' then-recent concert trek with Jim Reeves and Floyd Cramer, presenting "smash hit tunes direct from his history-making international tour," but it was not a live album. Rather, the theme was just an excuse to choose standards that had a foreign flavor, from "Calcutta" to Italy's "Volare" to "Baubles, Bangles and Beads," found in the musical Kismet, set in the Middle East. Again, "Muskrat Ramble" didn't seem to fit exactly (unless muskrats had learned to ramble across the ocean), but that reinforced the sense that the theme was just a backdrop for Atkins and company to enjoy themselves in a Nashville studio again. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
