Ruth Brown
A Good Day for the Blues
(Bullseye Blues & Jazz 11661-9613-2)
After my first listen to A Good Day for the
Blues, I immediately started it over and listened to it again from the top. You won't have
to read to the end of this review to find out how much I liked this CD. At age 70, Ruth
Brown is in total command of her voice, music, and career. This is fully evident on her
newest CD for Bullseye Blues & Jazz. Having been one of the most popular R&B stars
from the early 1950's, Ruth Brown has a voice and style all her own. Whether she is
belting out big band blues or telling a story, she has a definitive voice that you swear
you've heard before (and probably have). The opening song, "A Good Day for the
Blues," starts with big horns and Ruth singing the blues about so many of life's
cruelties: being laid off, not enough money or food, and the "wolf outside my
door." Duke Robillard adds fine touches throughout this powerful song, this is a
great opener. "Can't Stand A Broke Man," slightly funky blues, has both sung and
spoken verses and is a lot of fun. Bill Easley, from Ruth's touring band, does standout
solo work on this tune and the next, "Never Let Me Go," a very classy love song
that Ruth takes out of the blues and into jazz effortlessly. The same can be said for
"A Lover Is Forever," a 1940's style love song that is sooooo smooth in its
arrangement and delivery. "Ice Water In Your Veins" is a good up tempo shuffle
where she's nailing her man for steppin' out with her best friend. Bill Carter's "The
Richest One" is done in slow ballad fashion, very gospel. This song is given the full
treatment by Ruth Brown as she sings soft, then strong, going high and singing low. She
ends the tune with her trademark speak-singing, dreaming of being "The Richest
One." Swinging big band style on "Be Good To Me Tonight," Ruth phrases like
crazy and gives us the excellent result of such a long career in music. The whole band is
swinging here, and they really show their chops. A Good Day for the Blues ends with R.
Kelly's hit "I Believe I Can Fly." An inspirational song, "I Believe I Can
Fly" is a fitting way to end this CD. A Good Day for the Blues is produced with a
classy feel and a jazz-blues style. The horn arrangements are right on the money on every
tune; never overbearing, just adding icing to the cake. The song selection on this disc is
very wide ranging and moves between jazz and blues easily. Old and new material is
blended, and all sound fresh and very happening. Standout performances include Abram
Wilson on trumpet, Duke Robillard on guitar, and Bill Easley on tenor sax. All
performances here are nothing but top shelf. A Good Day for the Blues is a great effort
from an artist who is not only a voice of distinction for today, but for a whole
generation of listeners.
- Pete Barbeck -
Southwest Blues CD Review - April 1999
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