Chet Atkins - C.G.P. (1988)

Chet Atkins' '80s makeover into a contemporary crossover jazz guitar player continues unabated here, with a difference. With keyboardist Darryl Dybka co-producing, the level of material is somewhat higher than it had been on some earlier albums, boosted by a handful of superior rock tunes. "Chinook Wind" has an interesting, terse tune, and the track has a tension that keeps it afloat, while "Put Your Clothes On" – co-written with fiddler Johnny Gimble – brings a native country flavor into the smooth jazz recipe. There is a touching, perfectly straight rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine" for acoustic and electric guitars without rhythm section, and John Sebastian's "Daydream" is given a boogie/Latin feeling. "Knucklebusters" is a very good Atkins original, with a tense bass guitar theme, chugging electronic drums, and some of Atkins' old effects (echo delay, tremelo bar) for old times' sake. Finally, in a live concert appearance, Atkins takes to the microphone on "I Still Can't Say Goodbye," a poignant, almost tearful tune about a fellow who can't quite shake the memory of his dad.

~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music