I'm in the Wrong Business! is an album by the American musician A.C. Reed, released in 1987.[2][3] Backed by the Spark Plugs, Reed promoted the album with a North American tour.[4] It sold around 50,000 copies in its first two years of release.[5]
| I'm in the Wrong Business! | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1987 | |||
| Genre | Chicago blues | |||
| Label | Alligator[1] | |||
| A.C. Reed chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editThe album was recorded in four studios across the United States.[6] Reed wrote all of the album's songs; his saxophone style was influenced by J. T. Brown.[7][8] Bonnie Raitt, Maurice John Vaughn, and Stevie Ray Vaughan played on I'm in the Wrong Business![9][10] Junior Markham played harmonica on "This Little Voice".[11] The title track is a complaint about the music business; Reed made it a point to use humor in his songs.[12][13]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [14] |
| Chicago Tribune |  [15] |
| Robert Christgau | B+[16] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [17] |
| MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide | [10] |
| The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | [13] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer | [18] |
Robert Christgau wrote that, "title boast to the contrary, Reed has a commercial knack—he knows how to distinguish himself from competing bluesmen, more gifted ones included."[16] The Boston Globe deemed the album a "red-hot session" by the "definitive Chicago blues sax player."[19] USA Today stated that "Steve Diztell's careening guitar break on the irresistibly funky 'Don't Drive Drunk' is impressive."[20]
The Washington Post noted that, "rhythmically, the album generally has the languid, loping feel of a Jimmy Reed tune."[12] The Philadelphia Inquirer determined that Reed "makes his own blues sound both accessible to the marketplace and gratifyingly raunchy."[18] The Herald American wrote: "By not taking the blues too seriously, Reed has produced one of the genre's most contemporary works."[21]
AllMusic called the album "solid, soulful blues, often with humorous, self-deprecating lyrics."[14]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by A.C. Reed
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'm in the Wrong Business" | |
| 2. | "I Can't Go On This Way" | |
| 3. | "Fast Food Annie" | |
| 4. | "This Little Voice" | |
| 5. | "My Buddy Buddy Friends" | |
| 6. | "She's Fine" | |
| 7. | "These Blues Is Killing Me" | |
| 8. | "Miami Strut" | |
| 9. | "The Things I Want You to Do" | |
| 10. | "Don't Drive Drunk" |
References
edit- ^ Komara, Edward M. (September 3, 2006). Encyclopedia of the Blues: K-Z, index. Taylor & Francis US.
- ^ Hadley, Frank-John (September 3, 1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press.
- ^ "Obituary: AC Reed". The Guardian. April 12, 2004.
- ^ Provencher, Norman (3 Oct 1987). "Saxophonist pounds home the blues". Ottawa Citizen. p. C11.
- ^ MacInnis, Craig (April 21, 1989). "Bluesman dislikes Canadian customs". Toronto Star. p. D16.
- ^ Miller, Mark (24 Mar 1988). "I'm in the Wrong Business A. C. Reed". The Globe and Mail. p. C4.
- ^ Racine, Marty (January 10, 1988). "Records". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 11.
- ^ Hoekstra, Dave (February 5, 1988). "Saxophonist A. C. Reed finds right key for blues". Weekend Plus. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 7.
- ^ Van Matre, Lynn (28 Aug 1987). "The Concert Line". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 5.
- ^ a b MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 306.
- ^ Hall, Ken (31 Jan 1988). "A.C. Reed gives the blues his best". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2F.
- ^ a b Joyce, Mike (16 Dec 1987). "Alligator's Cutting Edge". The Washington Post. p. D7.
- ^ a b The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books Ltd. 2006. p. 541.
- ^ a b "A.C. Reed I'm in the Wrong Business". AllMusic.
- ^ Popson, Tom (18 Dec 1987). "Also available from Alligator...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. L.
- ^ a b "A.C. Reed". Robert Christgau.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 820.
- ^ a b Tucker, Ken (17 Jan 1988). "A.C. Reed I'm in the Wrong Business!". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. F8.
- ^ Morse, Steve (6 Dec 1987). "Blues". The Boston Globe. p. A29.
- ^ Peterson, Joe (December 18, 1987). "'I'm in the Wrong Business' A.C. Reed". USA Today.
- ^ Bourke, Brian G. (December 20, 1987). "I'm in the Wrong Business, A.C. Reed". Stars. Herald American. p. 5.