Almost two decades after their series of collaborations had apparently run its course,
Chet Atkins and
Jerry Reed returned for an encore -- a most welcome one. This reunion starts out on
Atkins' new contemporary jazz-flavored turf, with comfortable associates like bassist
David Hungate, keyboardist
Darryl Dybka, rhythm guitarist
Paul Yandell, and familiar guests like fiddler
Mark O'Connor and guitarist
Mark Knopfler filling in the band. But before long, the old
Atkins/
Reed country ways filter in, the rapport and good humor between the two intact and bubbling on "Here We Are," trading and stealing licks from each other with acute, long-simmering telepathy. There are a few attractive
Reed originals to be savored, including a remake of the picking special "The Claw" and a dignified duet on a tune entitled "Major Attempt at a Minor Thing."
Knopfler again plays a key guest role on an
Atkins album, giving "Cajun Stripper" much of its chugging drive and lending a hand to the most memorable tune on the CD, "Gibson Girl," a double-entendre ode to a favorite guitar. A few star singers like
Suzy Bogguss and
Amy Grant turn up in the chorus on "Nifty Fifties" -- and the sauntering title track truly sneaks up on you. ~ Richard S. Ginell