I first noticed the "C.G.P." following Atkins's name on his 1985 album, Stay Tuned. I initially believed those initials stood for "Country Guitar Player" which I thought had a sort of folksy charm to it. I've since discovered that the initials represent "Certified Guitar Player." According to the following article, Atkins created this title and bestowed it upon himself and four other guitarists: Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, Steve Wariner, and Jerry Reed. Chet Atkins’ Certified Guitar Players.
In the late 1980s, Atkins 80s had a sort of makeover into a smooth jazzer and this album fits into that era. I thoroughly enjoy the aforementioned 1985 crossover album, Stay Tuned, but was somewhat disappointed in a subsequent release, Sails. I had never heard of this 1988 album prior to seeing it in the used CD bin, but I thought I'd take a chance because I had gift cards to burn and a CD addiction to feed. It should go without saying that the guitar playing here is impeccable. But it turns out C.G.P. is more like Sails than Stay Tuned, that is to say it's an innocuous mix of instrumental adult contemporary, smooth jazz, and crossover lite country with questionable mid-'80s production tricks/synth drums.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart
Tracks: Of the ten tracks here, I enjoy Put Your Clothes On, Which Way Del Vecchio, and a cover of The Lovin' Spoonful's Daydream. On the other end of the continuum, there's an uninteresting cover of John Lennon's Imagine (featuring Mark Knopfler) and the final track includes a rare vocal track from Adkins in a tribute to his late father. I find that track, I Still Can't Say Goodbye, hard to listen to, but I hope it was cathartic for Atkins.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None
Previously revisited for the blog:
Sails (1987)
Stay Tuned (1985)
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