Jerry Reed, “The Essential Jerry Reed,” RCA. ***

Reed was a gifted country guitarist, songwriter and vocal stylist who had sporadic success from the ‘60s through the ‘80s, including such novelty hits as “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot.” He also wrote “Guitar Man,” a song that played a key role in Elvis Presley’s return to creative form. Special treat: his imitations of Willie Nelson and George Jones on another novelty hit, 1982’s “The Bird.”

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (e x cellent).