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.