This cleverly titled album has the strength to appeal to almost every listener. And not only is it a fantastic start for a rock lover for learning to appreciate the roots of rock n' roll, it's also one of the finest country albums around. Straight country songs like `Poor Boy Blues', `Just One Time' and `The Next Time I'm In Town' are performed wonderfully and Mark and Chet's arrangements are sublime. Other tracks stand out though: `Tahitian Skies' is a beautiful instrumental take on Mark's 1985 classic `Why Worry', which outshines the original incredibly. `Tears' and `Sweet Dreams' are also wonderful instrumentals which give Mark and Chet a chance to show how well they work together. More energetic is the rockabilly number `Yakety Axe' - a take on Boots Randolph's 1963 instrumental `Yakety Sax' - on which Chet shines amazingly, and which has terrific guitar work from both. Finally, my favorite - `There'll Be Some Changes Made' - an adaptation of an old Benny Goodman song (at least he performed it; I have no idea if his performance was even the original). Mark and Chet wrote new lyrics for the song, turning it into Chet singing about wanting to go with the times and become a rocker, and Mark trying to turn him away. The dialogue between the two takes place in two dimensions - vocally and on guitar, and makes it the funniest as well as the most clever song on the album. Mark and Chet really had a ball on this one, improvising most of the dialogue as well as the solos ("Not bad, but you're not Mark Knopfler..." "Don't make me look bad now, respect for your elders..."). The solos challenge each other and intertwine beautifully to make the song a treat.

`Neck & Neck' is one of the most wonderful purchases for lovers of this lovely instrument. If you're an Atkins fan, you won't be disappointed; and if you're only in it for Knopfler and only vaguely know Atkins's name, you're in for a lovely surprise. And if you're as snooty about country music as I was before I heard this album, don't forget where rock comes from, and don't forget where everything about Knopfler and Dire Straits comes from. Mandatory listening.


Guitar licks by two masters   April 3, 2005
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

One of the problems which frequently occurs when guitar virtuosos get together is that they get too interested in demonstrating their virtuosity and forget about the music. That doesn't happen here. Atkins and Knopfler are both masters of understated guitar licks. Listen to this CD with only one ear and you might not realize you're hearing two of the best guitar players in the world.

Well, when you hear "Neck and Neck" you won't jump and shout and play air guitar. But "There'll be Some Changes Made" will get your toes tapping as Chet contemplates becoming a rock star and Mark discourages him. ("The groupie girls aren't that good...or at least some of them aren't") "The Next Time I'm in Town" is another toe-tapper that features Vince Gill's clear tenor voice in harmony with Knopfler and superb steel guitar played by Paul Franklin. I also like the instrumental version of Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams." "Poor Boy Blues" if I recall correctly won a Grammy for Atkins/Knopfler.

If you're seeking a flamboyant rock album this is not for you, but for back-porch finger-picking and singing it can't be beat.

Smallchief