Search - Jerry Reed :: Jerry Reed Live Still

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