Jerry Reed Live, Still! [LIVE]

Jerry Reed

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 19, 2005)
• Original Release Date: April 19, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: R2k Records
• ASIN: B00081U650
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #245,272 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Guitarist-songwriter Jerry Reed was all ablaze from the late '60s through the early '80s, kicking country radio in the behind with irresistible and often comical story songs of wild gambling streaks ("When You're Hot, You're Hot"), gator-baiting ("Amos Moses"), and D.I.V.O.R.C.E. blues ("She Got the Gold Mine, I Got the Shaft"). The three-time Grammy winner and ace session player framed his novelty tunes with guitar-slinging savvy and redneck chic, but he also earned the respect of Elvis Presley, who called him into the studio to lay down his licks on Reed's own "U.S. Male" and "Guitar Man." Surprisingly, it took Reed until now to record his first-ever all-live album of eight of his greatest hits, which he augments with two new songs. Yet unlike his mentor, Chet Atkins, who continued to experiment, grow, and veer into new directions in his latter years, Reed arrives at his first solo album in six years (taped in 2004 in Parsons, Kansas) as a nostalgia act. His voice faded, his lightning speed slowed a bit, he sails through the old favorites with hammy intros, more intent on keeping folks smiling than showcasing his chops. Worse, he spends his new tunes poking fun at old age ("Father Time and Gravity") and giving a Statler Brothers-like nod to that old country church. Still, Reed delights on occasion. His classic swamp tale retains its bite, and "Eastbound and Down," the truckers' refrain from Smokey and the Bandit, may even make you smell diesel fumes. Here's hoping his next album stokes more of that old fire. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Out of Steam, May 17, 2005

By	M. Frost "JohnnyCashFan" (Alexandria, Va) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been buying Jerry Reed LPs, 8-Tracks and CDs since the 1960s. This CD is for people like me: completists. If you want to own everything by the man, get this one. But, if you're looking for a place to start, or round out, your Jerry Reed collection, this isn't the place. No surprise, after decades of singing and smoking, Reed's voice is pretty well depleted. Evidence of this is clear on the song "Brand New Me" -- a new original number which is quite good, but on which Reed has to trot out vocal assistance to finish. The other songs are lethargic shadows of the original. The recording is sloppy -- the first track starts with Reed talking in mid-sentence, and the applause track is clumsily added in a couple of places. If you want to discover what made Jerry Reed great -- and as a songwriter and guitarist he had few peers -- consider picking up one of the other fine CDs available here.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Alive!, August 21, 2005

By	Gail A. Moeller (Centerville, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Perhaps one has to make quite a few trips around the sun to appreciate performers who have done the same. Yes, Jerry doesn't sound like he did 30 years ago, but who does? Does this album having a driving beat? You betcha. The tempos on old favorites are the same as earlier recordings. Does Jerry sound like he's having fun? Yes, that hallmark orneriness still shines through. Does he share the spotlight on a gospel number? Certainly. Gospel music almost always features a tenor and bass as well as a baritone. Is there a little nostalgia thrown in? Yes, but Jerry has earned the right. The only mar is an intro edit that certainly shouldn't have found its way into the finished product. Nevertheless, I can't get enough of this album -- its beat, guitar licks, Jerry's way with a lyric, the humor and the history it represents. This compilation from a live performance warms my heart the way Rosemary Clooney's last albums did. Some performers mellow with age and reach right out and grab you. Jerry is one of those in my book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Sounding Live Performance, April 25, 2005

By	Lee "Lee" (Smyrna, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This is an awesome CD !!!! Jerry blows me away with his hits, and the sound of the recording is great. This is a CD you can just put in a drive for miles riding high on light hearted songs with great guitar work..