by William Ruhlmann

On this casually recorded session, which justly won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance, Jerry Reed joins Chet Atkins for a series of guitar duets. (Atkins is in the right speaker, Reed in the left.) The song list is surprising, consisting of pop hits like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "MacArthur Park," along with standards like "Ol' Man River," though there are several Jerry Reed originals. The two play well together, with Atkins precise and tasteful, while Reed is typically brash, often interjecting a hum or a bit of the lyric. The offhand nature of the project is what makes it so impressive.