Hot A' Mighty/Lord, Mr. Ford (2000)

The two albums from 1972-1973 that appear on this CD are notable for the many remakes of standards and well-known country hits, which are often among the most enjoyable items in Jerry Reed's repertoire because of the way he radically reinterprets familiar material. Reed's rendition of "Sixteen Tons" on Hot A' Mighty is even funkier than Tom Jones' version, while "Goodnight Irene" and Mitchell Torok's "Caribbean" become springboards for some inventive guitar picking. "I Just Don't Understand" sticks close to the arrangement ... Read More

The two albums from 1972-1973 that appear on this CD are notable for the many remakes of standards and well-known country hits, which are often among the most enjoyable items in Jerry Reed's repertoire because of the way he radically reinterprets familiar material. Reed's rendition of "Sixteen Tons" on Hot A' Mighty is even funkier than Tom Jones' version, while "Goodnight Irene" and Mitchell Torok's "Caribbean" become springboards for some inventive guitar picking. "I Just Don't Understand" sticks close to the arrangement of Ann-Margret's version, and "You Took the Ramblin' Out of Me" became the album's hit. The highlight is a live (or live-sounding) Chuck Berry medley that really rocks, while illuminating the similarities between the two artists' guitar-driven story-songs. The title track of Lord, Mr. Ford gave Reed a number one hit, but "Rainbow Ride" is its polar opposite -- an example of the syrupy pop Reed cranked out at regular intervals. Enthusiasts of his guitar playing will appreciate the instrumentals "Two-Timin'" and "Pickie, Pickie, Pickie." Despite a few weak spots, this is one of the strongest discs in One Way's Jerry Reed reissue series. ~ Greg Adams, Rovi Read Less