A.C. Reed – Junk Food – Ice Cube Records IC3970

This 1997 14-song collection by A.C. Reed is a simple sinful blues joy to devour!  Reed (born Aaron Cothern) annexed his performing surname from his friend, noted blues giant Jimmy Reed.  Reed was a grand meld of three distinct proficiencies.  First, he was a phenomenal tenor saxophone player.  Along with that, Reed was a very skilled vocalist, and finally, his songwriting was astounding.  Stepping out from the blues realm, Reed was sought out to support the energies of big-time mainstream musicians including Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones, and within the blues world, stars of the genre including Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and Albert Collins realized his gifts and wanted him to complement their efforts.  Reed’s vocals always seem deeply sincere, and also many times, included more than a dose of tongue-in-cheek scampish wit.  When listening to Reed’s saxophone flourishes, the trained ear can certainly detect both his formal music training (from The Chicago Conservatory Of Music), plus the lessons he learned at the feet of his mentor, the great J.T. Brown. 

Reed is at his best here with a blues smorgasbord that lays bare all that was so endearing about Reed and his brand of blues.  Reed sings of the merits of junk food, big women, a lonely man feeling unloved and bewildered, two tough women in a pick-up truck, wanting to party and having a ball, and quitting the blues, among all other manner of human conditions, woe, and personal situations.

There is a full, clear orchestration enveloping the cuts here, with Reed’s vocals bright and assured, clear and out front (he does yield on three cuts to others).  His saxophone stanzas stir and incite, and the surplus of blues talent in support highlight Reed’s well-nurtured relationships and high reputation.  Perhaps it’s just easier to show below who all participated on this joyous project:

• Alto Saxophone – Eric Lawrence, Kelly Connors
• Backing Vocals – A.C. Reed, Albert Collins, Amy Cochrane, Arthur Irby, Casey Jones, Maurice John Vaughn, Stan Jones
• Baritone Saxophone – Eric Lawrence, Stever Koerner
• Bass – Avery “Abe” Brady, Doug Watson, Johnny B. Gayden, Mike Morrison
• Drums – Arthus “Sambo” Irby, Casey Jones, Jeff Taylor
• Guitar – Albert Collins, Ed Wooten, Essex “Grownman” Johns, Jerry DeMink, Marvin Jackson, Maurice John Vaughn, Sammy Fender
• Lead Vocals – A.C. Reed, Arthur Irby, Maurice John Vaughn, Sammy Fender
• Organ – Paul Simeone
• Tenor Saxophone – A.C. Reed, Douglas Fagan, Eric Lawrence, Steve Koerner
• Trombone – Dharamdas Harkes Duke, Joseph Burton
• Trumpet – Ed “Fishman” Madden, Jeffery Evans, Michael Barber

If the above is not testament to the high regard in which Reed was held in the Chicago and greater blues communities, then I don’t know what is.  This is simply a fun, spirited ride for those who prefer their blues chocked-full of wit and sheer entertainment.

Highly recommended!