The Essential Chet Atkins: The Columbia Years is a compilation recording by American guitarist Chet Atkins. The 15 tracks included here are from his recordings on the Columbia label from 1983 to the 1997. The tracks have all been digitally remastered. There is more focus on Atkins' jazz-pop work here, but his country roots are still evident. His later collaborations with Mark Knopfler, Jerry Reed, Suzy Bogguss and Tommy Emmanuel are represented here.