Another one done gone, son.
Jerry Reed, who put the funk into country, died Monday in Nashville. The first time I heard him was on a family road trip in an Oldsmobile station wagon the early-seventies. "When You're Hot, You're Hot" was in heavy rotation on the Delco radio and resulted in instantaneous family sing-a-longs, much to my Mother's dismay.
Flags in Fluville are flying at half mast.
Download:
"If The Good Lord's Willing" mp3
by Jerry Reed, 1955.
available on Here I Am
"In My Own Backyard" mp3
by Jerry Reed, 1957.
available on Here I Am
"You Make It, They Take It" mp3
by Jerry Reed, 1958.
available on Here I Am
"Hully Gully Guitar" mp3
by Jerry Reed and The Hully Girlies, 1962.
out of print
"Guitar Man" mp3
by Jerry Reed, 1967.
available on The Essential Jerry Reed
"Amos Moses" mp3
by Jerry Reed, 1970.
available on The Essential Jerry Reed
"When You're Hot, You're Hot" mp3
by Jerry Reed, 1971
available on The Essential Jerry Reed
"The Uptown Poker Club" mp3
by Jerry Reed, 1973.
available on The Essential Jerry Reed
"The Crude Oil Blues" mp3
by Jerry Reed, 1974.
available on The Essential Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed ever-so-slowly ceded from the public eye, but in the 1970s, he was one of the biggest names in showbiz. He was one hell of a picker - anyone that can hold their own with Chet Atkins would have to be. He had a compelling life story, overcame great odds.
ReplyDeleteRIP, Jerry - thanks for the memories. You outdid yourself, Ted - this is an outstanding collection of the very best of Jerry Reed.
Hey Ted!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you noticed, but Jerry Reed's head is really SMALL. Either the guy had a tiny head or somebody is photoshopping pictures at the Boogie Woogie Flu.
Jim
After seeing the news, I was hoping you'd provide a suitable tribute, and you damn well did. Only things missing are East Bound and Down Lord Mr. Ford!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely one of the finest pickers of his generation. My favorite Reedism is when Elvis was laying down his version of Guitar Man, they had to call in ol' Jerry himself because the session man couldn't get the pickin right.
Wonderful post, Ted. I always know I can count on you to do someone right like this. The Porter clip was just perfect, eespecially with the verse about sending the body back to Nashville on the train.
ReplyDeleteHe will always be a guitar hero to me, ever since I picked up tyhe Nashville Underground LP on RCA so long ago. Boy, I'd love to find THAT one again, even just as an MP3!
One of my favorite comments of all time was to Elvis from Jerry. Jerry, commenting on Elvis' good looks said; "Damn Elvis, you make me wish I was a girl!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great Jerry Reed tunes! A wonderful post on a guy who was way more than an actor.
ReplyDeleteI'm blancanus.
ReplyDeleteThat's music, guys, that's real music.
Anyone have an mp3 of the song Hot Stuff?
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ReplyDeleteI keep coming back to this picture of Jerry and his awards. His sincere expression, nearly overwhelmed, is remarkable. Someone should show Kanye West this picture so he has some idea how to react when he's given awards.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Peter. I agree, humility and gratitude is much more attractive and compelling.
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