Customer Reviews

RCA Country Legends: Jerry Reed

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First of all let me say I'm not a country music fan. I am a third rate guitarist though and I was told Jerry Reed was someone I should listen to. I was familiar with a couple of his hits but had never really listened to him. This CD blew me away from the first listen! If you play, or you simply appreciate great playing you gotta listen to this. I especially like the few instrumentals on here. Never heard anyone play like this. Do yourself a favor and buy this!

Like the Dolly Parton volume, this entry into the RCA Country Legends series is a well-chosen intro to a highly enjoyable artist. I had heard a couple of Reed's songs before (the utterly delightful "Tupelo Mississippi Flash," "When You're Hot, You're Hot," "Alabama Wild Man"), but here I found out for the first time how versatile he really is. There are instrumentals ("Navy Blues," "Nervous Breakdown"), sad songs full of self-mockery ("The Likes of Me"), down-home tunes ("Are You From Dixie," "She Got the Gold Mine"), even cynical social commentary ("Lord, Mr. Ford"). If you're unfamiliar with Reed, this is a great stepping stone to curing the shortfall.

Yeah, I know, it's totally out of character for me to like something like this, but I really like it a lot. I picked up a free promo copy of this at work and listened to it on the subway the next day...it's a terrific collection! I knew a couple of Jerry's songs from a while back, and am really impressed with his guitar playing and his songwriting skills. He also has an easygoing sense of humor that always puts a smile on my face. Highlights for me include "When You're Hot, You're Hot," "Guitar Man" and "Amos Moses."

It's probably completely unhip to rave about this disc, but who cares? It's great fun.

While I do not consider Jerry to be a top-notch singer, there is noone who can pick a guitar like Mr Reed (and that includes Chet, as far as I'm concerned), and noone could deliver a line like him. Jerry Reed had a fairly long career that began in the '60's, but is best known for his humorous songs, such as "Amos Moses", "Goldmine", and "Lord, Mr Ford", which are all included here (along with 13 other hits). Very few country artists have this much talent, but Jerry was not only the finest guitarist to grace the "70's, but was also a well-recognized actor whose fame included Smokey and the Bandit, and here lately, "The Waterboy". This album will bring a smile to your face, and make you shake your head in awe at the ability this man has with six-strings.

He is a master of comedic country, and carry's a great tune to boot. So why only 3 stars? There are a lot of gems that should have been included, this CD was a long way from full.

I happened to get this about a week before Jerry Reed passed away. Sad timing, but as I had taken it in to listen at work, several other people borrowed it to listen. For some, they had no idea he had so many hits, and enjoyed learning about them. It turned into a great education in the music of Jerry Reed.

Jerry Reed is one awesome guitarist, and so many of his songs ("U.S. Male," "Eastbound and Down," "Lord, Mr. Ford," etc.) are jumpy, fun tunes to own. This CD has a lot of good music in it.