Buddha's RCA Country Legends may miss a hit or two, but it winds up being the closest thing to a definitive Jerry Reed retrospective assembled in the CD era. The key is, while it samples liberally from his goofy (yet surprisingly tough) hits of the early '70s, it has its foundation in his '60s recordings, and follows that musical direction through his hitmaking peak to the classic Smokey & the Bandit theme, "East Bound and Down." Yes, some may wish that it leaned a little heavier on the late...   [ read more ]

CD $7.59

These recordings, dating between 1927 and 1929, are a unique body of work: work songs, minstrel numbers, rags, and what we now define as the blues, all offered in an unpretentious form that would have been every bit as compelling had Henry Thomas cut them this way 40 years later. Songs such as "Arkansas," "Fox and the Hounds" (featuring the reed pipes that Thomas also excelled at playing), and "Little Red Caboose" represent a brand of upbeat dance music associated with late-19th century ente...   [ read more ]

CD $17.08

Lou Reed has been the subject of many compilations, one of them being 2003's double-disc, 31-track NYC Man: The Ultimate Lou Reed Collection, which covers everything from the Velvet Underground to 2003's The Raven. It opens up with an unreleased alternate take of "Who Am I" from The Raven, then often substitutes studio cuts with live performances, including a healthy selection from Live in Italy and Perfect Night: Live in London (only one cut from Rock 'n' Roll Animal, strangely ...   [ read more ]

CD $15.19