The career of multi-talented Jerry Reed (1937-2008) ended much too soon when he died of emphysema at age 71. He had been largely inactive for much of the previous decade.
Reed was a star recording artist (Amos Moses, East Bound and Down), wrote songs that were hits for other people, including Elvis Presley (U.S. Male), Gene Vincent (Crazy Legs) and Brenda Lee (That's All You Got to Do), and starred in a number of hit movies, including the Smokey and the Bandit films.
As well, Reed was justifiably one of the most highly-regarded guitarists in Nashville. Just listen to the three albums he recorded with Chet Atkins to find out why.
For a detailed biography of Reed, visit the All Music Guide.
The first of the Smokey and the Bandit trilogy appeared in 1977. The film's theme song, East Bound and Down, gave Reed a top country hit -- and of course RCA released an album as well. There was also a Smokey and the Bandit soundtrack album on MCA.
There's a crucial reason why you should be looking for the 1977 vinyl LP of Reed's RCA album rather than the 1992 CD reissue. Incredibly the CD did not include the hot guitar instrumentals Bake and Lightning Rod, neither of which has ever had a legal digital release. Bake, taken from the original LP, is available for your perusal below.
The East Bound and Down CD hasn't been in print for years and now demands inflated prices. The vinyl release also appears to command high prices, but you might be able to find a reasonably-priced copy in one of your local record outlets.
There are, however, a variety of Jerry Reed albums available on CD and as downloads. Your best bet if your looking for the hits is RCA's The Essential Jerry Reed, available for under $4 in the Amazon Marketplace.
From YouTube here's Lightning Rod, the other neglected instrumental from the East Bound and Down LP.
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