Chester & Lester [Bonus Tracks]

1	It's Been a Long, Long Time / Les Paul 3:31
2	Medley: Moonglow/Picnic / Les Paul Theme from Picnic 4:43
3	Caravan / Les Paul Alternate Version 3:17
4	It Had to Be You / Les Paul 3:32
5	Out of Nowhere / Les Paul 3:12
6	Avalon / Les Paul 6:30
7	Birth of the Blues / Les Paul 3:04
8	Someday Sweetheart / Les Paul 3:20
9	'Deed I Do / Les Paul 2:29
10	Lover Come Back to Me / Les Paul 2:45
11	The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise / Les Paul previously unreleased / Bonus Track 2:19
12	You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me / Les Paul previously unreleased / Bonus Track 2:47
13	Caravan / Les Paul previously unreleased / Bonus Track / Alternate Version 3:19
14	Medley: Moonglow/Picnic / Les Paul Rehearsal Version 5:16

Barnes & Noble

Originally issued in 1976 and now available on CD with four previously unreleased bonus tracks, this genial in-studio pairing of electric guitar titans remains a most ingratiating disc, as much a pleasure for the listener as it must have been for the artists. Working with a sharp ensemble of Nashville studio stalwarts (including Larrie Londin on drums), Atkins and Paul turn a clutch of standards from the Great American Songbook into a most scintillating conversation in song. Sometimes they play it straight, the better to enhance the beauty of great melodies, such as "Moonglow/Theme from 'Picnic' " and "It Had to Be You." Being witty fellows, too, Atkins and Paul inject some whimsy into the proceedings, as when a dreamy workout on the Sammy Cahn-Jule Styne evergreen "It's Been a Long, Long Time" suddenly breaks into a spirited, speed-picked dialogue before settling back into its romantic mode. Near the end of a swaying rendition of "Out of Nowhere," Paul pays homage to his beloved former partner, Mary Ford, by piping up with "Sounds good, Mary!" to which Atkins responds, "Why thank you, honey!" Of the four bonus tracks, two are alternative versions of songs on the original album, but two others are knockout numbers that didn't make the final cut. "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise" is a brisk, melodious affair with a slight country-swing flavor and wonderful interplay up and down the neck as the guitarists one-up each other's flourishes, whereas the timeless "You Brought a New Kind of Love" is a striking mid-tempo shuffle that finds the axemen trading variations on the melodic theme. Precisely because it's so unassuming, and the virtuosity so matter-of-fact, Chester & Lester sneaks up on you and then refuses to let go. David McGee

All Music Guide

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