by Matthew Greenwald
One of the most underrated holiday platters of all-time, Christmas with Chet Atkins shows the father of country-rock guitar performing 16 holiday standards in his own incomparable style. Although the uptempo stuff such as &Jingle Bell Rock& and &Winter Wonderland& are excellent readings, it's in the slower-paced selections that Atkins really shines. His version of &Silver Bells& is, quite simply, one of the best versions of the standard ever, and possibly one of Atkins' most arresting performances of all-time. Also excellent is the medley of &The Coventry Carol& and &God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.& Overall, criminally underrated, this disc should be rated up there with such fodder as Charlie Brown Christmas. Gorgeous.