Classic Album Review – Chet Atkins & Mark Knopfler “Neck And Neck”

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Our latest review covers a 1990 release from guitar legends Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. Titled Neck And Neck, it is a mixture of vocals and instrumentals and gives both artists plenty of opportunities to showcase their talents.

“Poor Boy Blues” is a good start to the disc. Up tempo with some singing by both Atkins and Knopfler, this track has a definite Dire Straits feel to it, while still maintaining a country sound.

“Sweet Dreams”, the Don Gibson penned classic that was a hit for Don, as well as Faron Young and Patsy Cline. This version is an outstanding instrumental; laid back, relaxed, almost a dream-like feel to it. It’s the best cut on the disc.

“There’ll Be Some Changes Made” speeds the tempo back up, a bit. It’s a playful, fun ditty, that features some witty bantering between the two.

Next, they return to the Don Gibson stable for “Just One Time”, a former Gibson hit. It’s not bad, but the song just doesn’t quite fit Knopfler, vocal-wise.

The guitar work of these two virtuosos really stands out on “So Soft, Your Goodbye”, another slower tempo song, this one also stands out on the album.

Unfortunately, they miss the mark on “Yakety Axe”. For those who remember Chet’s original hit single from 1965, or for that matter, the original Boots Randolph recording (as “Yakety Sax”), will know what a great song this is to highlight great guitar work. However, they decided to try to make a vocal out of it, and even though there is an instrumental part at the end, it just doesn’t work. It’s too bad they just didn’t fire up the picks and go all out on this song.

“Tears” and “Tahitian Skies” are both nice instrumental songs, but nothing really special.

Another cut I really like on this album is “I’ll See You In My Dreams”. It’s a great mid tempo song and their playing complements each other’s so well on this tune. The song, itself, was introduced in 1925 by bandleader/composer Isham Jones, a now almost-forgotten star of the early 20th Century.

The disc wraps up with one more vocal, “The Next Time I’m In Town”. Mark Knopfler does the main singing and this is his best vocal on the disc.

This is one of those albums that you highly anticipate, you like, but when all is said and done, it’s like that soup that smells heavenly, but when you taste it, it’s good, but missing something, however, you’re not sure what.

I give this album a 3 out of 5. There are a couple of misses, a couple of outstanding pieces of work, and several that fall in the middle.

It appears that this CD is still available, plus I found several used copies for sale, online, as well.

Overall, there are better Chet Atkins albums, but this one is good, and I do find myself listening to it, from time to time and if you get a copy, you likely will give it several listenings, as well.