Fine and Mellow is an album by the American musician Ruth Brown, released in 1991.[1][2] After recuperating from leg surgery, Brown supported the album with several concert appearances.[3]
| Fine and Mellow | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Genre | R&B, blues | |||
| Label | Fantasy | |||
| Producer | Ralph Jungheim | |||
| Ruth Brown chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editFine and Mellow is an album of Brown's favorite songs.[4] Produced by Ralph Jungheim, it was recorded with session bands in New York City and in Hollywood.[5][6] The songs were arranged by Frank Owens.[7] Rodney Jones played guitar; Herman Riley contributed on saxophone.[8][9] The title track was written by Billie Holiday.[10] "Salty Papa Blues" is a version of the song made famous by Dinah Washington.[11] "It's Just a Matter of Time" is a cover of the Brook Benton song.[7] "Knock Me a Kiss" is a cover of the song made famous by Louis Jordan.[12]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD | [8] |
| North County Times | [13] |
| The Philadelphia Inquirer |  [10] |
| The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul | [14] |
Newsday wrote that Brown's "brash style never adapts to songs synonymous with other singers, but adopts them as her own."[6] The Los Angeles Times said that the album "underlines her versatility and her ability to use an actor's touch to inject drama or humor into a song."[15] The Vancouver Sun deemed Fine and Mellow "the blues in all its raunchy glory."[9] The Chicago Tribune opined that "her singing has plenty of snarl and bite, and she shrewdly has surrounded herself with a terrific lineup of instrumentalists."[16]
Stereo Review considered it the best album of Brown's return to recording, likening it to "taking a stroll down memory lane and on into the kind of crowded, smoke-filled club where countless organ-and-vocal combos delighted weekend crowds."[7] The Philadelphia Inquirer called it "another big, brash affair that showcases Brown as earthmother/vamp, a singer who ... can deliver lyrics with a wink and a sneer."[10] The North County Times labeled it a "mini-history of Black American music."[13]
AllMusic called the album a "nice contemporary effort with a strongly swinging R&B flavor running throughout."[11]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fine and Mellow" | |
| 2. | "I Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues" | |
| 3. | "A World I Never Made" | |
| 4. | "Salty Papa Blues" | |
| 5. | "I'll Drown in My Own Tears" | |
| 6. | "Knock Me a Kiss" | |
| 7. | "It's Just a Matter of Time" | |
| 8. | "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" | |
| 9. | "Nothing Takes the Place of You" | |
| 10. | "I'll Be Satisfied" |
References
edit- ^ "Ruth Brown Biography by Bill Dahl". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Jenkins Jr., Everett (2001). Pan-African Chronology III: A Comprehensive Reference to the Black Quest for Freedom in Africa, the Americas, Europe and Asia, 1914-1929. McFarland, Inc. p. 469.
- ^ Hinckley, David (24 Jun 1992). "Ruth's R&B for free". Daily News. New York. p. 39.
- ^ Heim, Chris (6 Dec 1991). "Ruth Brown returned with a new set...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
- ^ "Album Reviews — Fine and Mellow by Ruth Brown". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 4. Jan 25, 1992. p. 53.
- ^ a b Anderson, John (5 Jan 1992). "A Pair of Bluesy Tributes". Fanfare. Newsday. p. 19.
- ^ a b c "Fine and Mellow by Ruth Brown". Stereo Review. Vol. 57, no. 7. Jul 1992. p. 67.
- ^ a b Hadley, Frank-John (1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 31.
- ^ a b Rutter, Frank (21 Mar 1992). "Ruth Brown Fine and Mellow". The Vancouver Sun. p. D23.
- ^ a b c Stark, Karl (30 Jan 1992). "Ruth Brown Fine and Mellow". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C8.
- ^ a b c "Fine and Mellow Review by Bill Dahl". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Wald, Elijah (12 Mar 1992). "Ruth Brown Fine and Mellow". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 6.
- ^ a b Gallo, Mark (7 Feb 1992). "Ruth Brown gets 'Fine and Mellow' with rhythm and blues". North County Times. p. 13B.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul. Virgin. p. 44.
- ^ Boehm, Mike (26 Dec 1991). "The Big 3 Together". OC Live. Los Angeles Times. p. 6.
- ^ Reich, Howard (17 May 1992). "Recordings". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 29.