Jerry Reed - Alabama Wild Man/Jerry Reed Explores Guitar Country (CD)

Two albums on one CD, worth every penny

By SteveC  Nov 8, 2000

Jerry Reed is one of the most underappreciated artists of the past 30 years. He sold a lot of records in the 70s, but mostly it was semi-pop country music (some good, some bad, some indifferent as far as the songs go), but his musical ability, speci...fically his guitar playing, is legendary in informed circles.There are a half a dozen or more CDs readily available with Jerry Reed singing and playing, but if you only buy one, you have to seriously consider spending your $12 on this.First of all, it's not really country, and it's not really anything else you might like to buttonhole it as... many of the songs are country songs, but it's all infused with black gospel leanings, Ray Charles style swinging blues, and Chet Atkins inspired fingerpicking. It's worthwhile to remember too that in the annals of fingerstyle guitar playing, Jerry Reed is the second best ever (Chet's the best, of course both of them stand tall on the shoulders of Merle Travis). Guitar Country and Alabama Wild Man are both gems. The country blues and soul of Wayfaring Stranger, the acoustic swing of Georgia on My Mind. The jazzy and then bluegrass feel of In The Pines. If you're a guitar player buy this, but not if you're the suicidal type, 'cause no matter how you try, you'll never be able to play all these licks. If you feel lucky, go ahead and buy the albums Chet and Jerry made together too...Me and Chet, and Me and Jerry, also available on a 2 in 1 packaged CD. Read more Less