Blues on Broadway is an album by the American musician Ruth Brown, released in 1989 through Fantasy Records.[1][2] The album earned Brown a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female.[3] It was produced by Ralph Jungheim.[4] Hank Crawford played saxophone on several tracks.[5]

Blues on Broadway
Studio album by
Released1989
RecordedJune 12–13, 1989, at RCA Studio C, New York
Length58:12
LabelFantasy
ProducerRalph Jungheim
Ruth Brown chronology
You Don't Know Me
(1978)
Blues on Broadway
(1989)
Fine and Mellow
(1991)

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Chicago Tribune    [6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide     [7]

The Washington Post praised the "terrific remake of 'Good Morning Heartache'."[8] The Chicago Tribune noted the "rich, wise voice shaped by hard-won experience and filled with deliciously wicked wit."[6]

The Rolling Stone Album Guide wrote that "this is a woman who describes a life lived full measure every time she sings."[7]

Track listing

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  1. "Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out" – 5:39
  2. "Good Morning Heartache" – 5:59
  3. "If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' on It" – 5:26
  4. "Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do" – 9:25
  5. "St. Louis Blues" – 9:35
  6. "Am I Blue" – 5:58
  7. "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" – 5:54
  8. "I Don't Break Dance" – 5:23 (bonus track on CD)
  9. "Come Sunday" – 5:25 (bonus track on CD)

Personnel

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  • Ruth Brown – vocals
  • Spanky Davis – trumpet
  • Hank Crawford – alto saxophone (except on 2,5,7,8)
  • Red Holloway – tenor saxophone
  • Britt Woodman – trombone
  • Bobby Forrester – leader, piano, Hammond B-3 organ
  • Rodney Jones – guitar, banjo
  • Al McKibbon – acoustic bass
  • Grady Tate – drums
  • George Horn – mastering

References

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  1. ^ Matthews, Carl (11 Nov 1989). "Ruth Brown: 'Blues on Broadway'". Afro-American Red Star. p. FP6.
  2. ^ "Blues on Broadway". AllMusic. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  3. ^ "Ruth Brown". Recording Academy. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  4. ^ Stewart, Zan (30 Mar 1991). "According to Jungheim...". Los Angeles Times. p. F3.
  5. ^ Heim, Chris (21 Feb 1990). "New Tunes". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 80.
  6. ^ a b Heim, Chris (23 Nov 1989). "Recordings". Chicago Tribune. p. 23F.
  7. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 89–90.
  8. ^ Joyce, Mike (21 Feb 1990). "Ageless R&B from Ruth Brown". The Washington Post. p. D7.