Richard Smith and Jim Nichols: Live From Boulevard Music - A Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed Tribute
As reviewed by GUITARIST'S FORUM at GFmusic. (Used with permission.): An interesting mix: Richard Smith grew up in England, and Jim Nichols was raised in Virginia. What brings them together is a common love of the Chet Atkins guitar style. Picking up the guitar at a very early age, both learned their craft by studying the music of Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed. Jim and Richard first met in 1992, and ever since then they've enjoyed performing together, blending each guitarist's unique interpretation of their musical mentors. Tracks cover the full spectrum-- from classic Atkins and Reed compositions to jazz and pop standards. Richard plays nylon string on all songs, while Jim alternates between acoustic steel strings and electric guitar. On each tune, guitar fans are treated to both world-class fingerstyle technique, and dazzling, inventive single-note improvisation. There's a great energy to this live CD, and the audience really adds to the excitement. Just listen to the crowd response as the duo breaks into Stompin' At The Savoy, a tune that's usually reserved for an orchestra. You can hear the audience's sense of both surprise and approval as they realize that when Jim and Richard are on stage, two guitars are all that's needed. Very Highly Recommended! TRACKS: Cascade / Back Up And Push / Moonglow / Ochi Chornya (Dark Eyes) / Django's Castle / Who's Sorry Now / AfterYou've Gone / Dizzy Fingers / Rainbow / Autumn Leaves / Sweet Ceorgia Brown / Nuages / Honeysuckle Rose / Funky Junk / Jerry's Breakdown / Stompin' At The Savoy / Main Street Breakdown (Morning Nichols adds stellar vocals on two tracks: After You've Gone and Honeysuckle Rose.)