Jerry Reed - RCA Country Legends: Jerry Reed (2001)

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-'70s recordings, but for hardcore country listeners, this is the compilation to get. © Stephen Thomas Erlewine