Cheap Country Music Classics: Webb Pierce & Chet Atkins (DVD) Price

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Customer Reviews of Country Music Classics: Webb Pierce & Chet Atkins

I'd heard Chet Atkins many times over the years, but had never heard or watched Webb Pierce, before watching this dvd. Chet Atkins guitar playing is great to watch and listen to..what an exceptional talent! I had to get used to Webb Pierce's high pitched voice, but now I enjoy listening to his songs and looking at those great colorful outfits that he wore (and most other country performers at that time). Sure, the original production is a little corny, but that all adds to its charm.

The picture and sound quality on this disk is fine, considering the age of the source material. There are no extras except for chapter stops for each song. I think this dvd is a real "gem" in my collection and wish they would come out with more Country Music Classics on dvd.

One genre, two extremes
I like Webb Pierce. I mean, I really like Webb Pierce. I also really like Chet Atkins (his guitar playing, at least - his slick production style is another story). So why does this DVD get only 3 stars? Because like oil and water, Webb and Chet just don't mix.

Webb Pierce's double aught twang was a bit much for a lot of people, especially "countrypolitan" record producers like Chet Atkins. Even for a fan like me, Webb's singing is put in a bizarre perspective when sandwiched between the guitar virtuousity of Chet Atkins. Fans of Chet Atkins who have never heard or seen Webb Pierce will be in for a huge shock; Webb's gaudy suits are subtle and tasteful compared to his singing. These same fans will also be disappointed to find that Mr. Pierce takes up the bulk of performances on the DVD. Personally, I think that some performance by Bill Monroe and/or Kitty Wells would have been more compatible with Webb's um... "distinctive" style.

One other minor complaint. Pierce starts most of his songs "dry" - that is, he strums a chord on his gee-tar, starts singing and the band ultimately joins in. This lack of a guitar/steel intro only serves to compound the twanginess of Webb's voice. At least with Ernest Tubb, we get a patented introduction that lets us know what lies ahead.

On the plus side, there's some great songs here. Webb does "Walking The Dog" (the Webb Pierce song, not the Rufus Thomas R&B hit), "That Heart Belongs To Me", "Slowly", and the ultimate drinking song, "There Stands The Glass" (conspicuous in its absence is "Back Street Affair"). Furthermore, he is joined by Red Sovine and one of the Wilburn Brothers (Teddy?) on "In The Jailhouse Now" and Carl Smith (!) and Marty Robbins (!!) on "Why Baby Why". That alone is enough reason enough to purchase this DVD. Music lovers everywhere can also rejoice in the fact that Red Sovine and Webb Pierce DO NOT perform "Little Rosa" on this disc.

While Chet Atkins fans might be disappointed by only 9 Chet tunes (compared to 18 Webb Pierce tunes), it's a delight seeing him in such a downhome context. It doesn't hurt that there's plenty of closeups of Chet's fingers doing their thing on the fretboards of some really cool vintage Gretsch guitars.

If you are fan of both artists, you will without a doubt enjoy this DVD... although not particularly in one sitting.

this CD rocks!
This wonderful CD is worth watching just to check out Webb Pierce's neon-bright cowboy clothes -- which include a turquoise suit emblazoned with hot pink hibiscus blossoms, a tan suit embroidered with treble clefs and spider webs, and best of all --a bright yellow suit with two rhinestone-circled black delta record albums -- one on each chest. The singing is great, although Webb gets to be a wee bit monotonous. The CD goes back & forth between Webb & Chet -- Chet Atkins' guitar playing is unbelievably good, and contrasts well with Webb's absent-minded strumming. This CD was made before everything was choreographed to the hilt & entertainers all had perfect white teeth and highlighted hair. This is real, and pretty hokey. There are folks sitting on hay bales all over the stage -- including a girl in a gingham shirt & rolled up bluejeans, chewing on a piece of straw (!), women with red lips & dirty blond hair looking positively bored, fidgeting on the bales of hay and swaying back & forth to the music, guys in plaid shirts with neckerchiefs, clapping to the beat. At one point, there's a sheep on the stage. Guest appearances by Marty Robbins & my favorite, little Jimmy Dickens, are a bonus. The highlight is Webb leading a trio in "He's in the Jailhouse Now" -- sounding much more vintage than the "Oh, Brother" version, followed closely by a trio of "Why, Baby, Why." This is well worth it for any fan of old country music (or country kitsch).