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A.C. Reed – Junk Food - Featuring Albert Collins
Delmark DE 726 (1999)

A.C. Reed was playing the saxophone with class for over fifty-seven years, longer than many of us are old. He dedicated his life to the music of blues. Many writers and musicians have dubbed him a living legend. Having toured and played with some of the most notable musicians of our time, A.C. and longtime musical partner of blues legend Earl Hooker, he has been regarded as the greatest blues saxophonist of our time. His raw, rambunctious and raunchy versions of the blues kept audiences on their feet from the time he stepped on the stage. Junk Food features some of Chicago’s top blues musicians including Albert Collins, Maurice John Vaughn, Johnny B. Gayden, and Casey Jones.

A.C. Reed
Junk Food with Albert Collins
Delmark DE-726

1. Junk Food 3:53
2. Big Woman 3:25
3. Broke Music 4:28*
4. I Got Mad 4:05*
5. The President Plays 3:32
6. Give It Up (Smoking) 3:36
7. Florine 3:18
8. Lonely Man 4:41
9. RoadHouse Blues 5:10
10. 2 Women In A Pick Up 3:05
11. Party With Y'all 3:11
12. You're Going To Miss Me 4:40
13. Fed Up 3:27
14. Last Time Around 2:35

* with Albert Collins

All songs written by Aaron Corthen (A.C. Reed) except Roadhouse Blues written by Densmore/Krieger/Manzarek/Morrison, Doors Music Company, ASCAP.

Lead Vocals: A.C. Reed, Maurice John Vaughn on "Give It Up (Smoking)", Sammy Fender on "You're Going To Miss Me," Arthur Irby on "Roadhouse Blues."

Guitars: Albert Collins, Maurice John Vaughn, Sammy Fender, Jerry DeMink, Marvin Jackson, Ed Wooten, Essex "Grownman" Johns

Organ: Paul Simeone, Roosevelt Purifoy

Bass: Doug Watson, Mike Morrison, Johnny B. Gayden, Avery "Abe" Brady

Drums: Casey Jones, Jeff Taylor, Arthur "Sambo" Irby

Horns:
Tenor sax: A.C. Reed, Eric Lawrence, Douglas Fagan, Steve Koerner
Alto sax: Eric Lawrence, Kelly Connors
Baritone sax: Eric Lawrence, Steve Koerner
Trumpet: Ed "Fishman" Madden, Michael Barber, Jeffery Evans
Trombone: Joe Burton, Dharamdas Harkes Duke

Background Vocals: A.C. Reed, Albert Collins, Casey Jones, Maurice John Vaughn, Arthur Irby, Amy Cochrane, Stan Jones

Recorded at: Sundae Sound Studios Ltd., Alberta, Canada
Boulevard Studio, New Milford, NJ
Acme Studio, Chicago, IL
Seagrape Recording Studios, Chicago, IL

Produced by A.C. Reed and Stan Jones
Mixed and mastered by Brian Jensen at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, IL
Photography: James Fraher
Design: Kate Hoddinott

Originally released on Ice Cube Records in 1997



A.C. Reed has been playing the saxophone with class for over fifty-seven years, longer than many of us are old. He has, for the most part, dedicated his life to the music of blues. Many writers and musicians have dubbed him a living legend. Having toured and played with some of the most notable musicians of our time, A.C. has been regarded as the greatest blues saxophonist of our time. Since his debut album Take These Blues And Shove 'Em, A.C. has developed his own style. From his songwriting to his stage wear, he's his own person. His raw, rambunctious and raunchy versions of the blues keep audiences on their feet from the time he steps on the stage until he leaves.
Since his debut album, A.C. has been on the rise, playing to sell-out audiences all over the world delivering his style of blues. His style differs from most other blues musicians in that A.C. rarely sings sad songs. His songs contain messages about everyday life and when you listen to them you have to laugh as well as enjoy the upbeat tempo. A.C. considers blues "broke music" because most blues musicians are broke.
This album, like the previous Alligator hit I'm in the Wrong Business, keeps with A.C.'s humorous style. However, he does differ from the many superstars like Bonnie Raitt and the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan who have made guest appearances with A.C. He also went to his vault of recordings to find an old recording featuring the late Albert Collins whom A.C. toured and recorded with for five years. A.C. and Albert made a great team on stage. The two songs they recorded live over seventeen years ago at the Paradise Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, "I Got Mad" and "Broke Music" were never released. A.C. wants to keep the blues alive. A.C., like all other musicians, likes to have the best musicians when he records and he did just that. He selected a group of virtually unknown musicians to complete these recordings. They are great musicians and tomorrow's blues leaders. The ladies and gentlemen that appear on this collection of songs want to help keep blues alive and, above all, play with a living legend. Maurice John Vaughn, former original member of A.C.'s band, The Spark Plugs, joins A.C. again as he did on Wrong Business by lending his talents on guitar and vocals.
Like the previous album, there are songs with messages like "Give It Up (Smoking)" and "The President Plays". "Junk Food", the title track, explains how eating junk food can be hazardous to your health. This is vintage A.C. Reed.
Having put numerous miles on his body throughout his career, A.C. went into retirement. After a few months, he decided that this was not his bag. He began playing locally and after a few shows, he realized that his fans were all over the world so he started to tour worldwide again. During his "retirement" he wrote the songs contained here.
Ask A.C. if he has any regrets and he'll say yes. "I didn't go on my own soon enough. I should have taken on the role of a front man many years ago. I'd be a lot further in this music than I am, but I don't regret playing the blues because it's educational. Blues tell a story that date back to the beginning. Blues is responsible for most of the music we listen to today."
A.C.'s music reflects no regrets because he's able to joke about it through his lyrics. Combine that with his upbeat tempos and you've got rocking blues. Junk Food gives you 100% real blues and A.C. at his best.
-- Stan Jones

Dedicated to my family, fans and friends, especially Albert Collins.


Call or write for a free catalog of jazz and blues:
Delmark Records 1-800-684-3480
4121 North Rockwell, Chicago, IL 60618
C P 1999 Delmark Records

Other Delmark albums of interest:
Junior Wells, On Tap (635) with A.C. Reed
Eddie Shaw and The Wolf Gang, Can't Stop Now (698)
Sweet Home Chicago (618) with Eddie Shaw, Magic Sam, Luther Allison and others
Magic Sam, Black Magic (620) with Eddie Shaw
Jimmy Dawkins, Fast Fingers (623) with Eddie Shaw
Honkers and Bar Walkers Vol. 1 (438) with Jimmy Forrest, Paul Bascomb, Doc Sausage and Jimmy Coe
Honkers and Bar Walkers Vol. 2 (452) with Willis Jackson and King Curtis