Blues on Broadway
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Blues on Broadway
| type = studio
| artist = Ruth Brown
| cover = Blues on Broadway.jpg
| alt =
| released = 1989
| recorded = June 12–13, 1989, at RCA Studio C, New York
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=58|s=12}}
| label = Fantasy
| producer = Ralph Jungheim
| prev_title = You Don't Know Me
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = Fine and Mellow
| next_year = 1991
}}
Blues on Broadway is an album by the American musician Ruth Brown, released in 1989 through Fantasy Records.{{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=Carl |title=Ruth Brown: 'Blues on Broadway' |work=Afro-American Red Star |date=11 Nov 1989 |page=FP6}}{{Cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/album/blues-on-broadway-r71398|title=Blues on Broadway|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=July 26, 2011}} The album earned Brown a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female.{{cite web |title=Ruth Brown |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/ruth-brown/1359 |website=Recording Academy |access-date=16 March 2023}} It was produced by Ralph Jungheim.{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Zan |title=According to Jungheim... |work=Los Angeles Times |date=30 Mar 1991 |page=F3}} Hank Crawford played saxophone on several tracks.{{cite news |last1=Heim |first1=Chris |title=New Tunes |work=Chicago Tribune |date=21 Feb 1990 |department=Friday |page=80}}
Critical reception
{{music ratings
|rev1 = Chicago Tribune
|rev1score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite news |last1=Heim |first1=Chris |title=Recordings |work=Chicago Tribune |date=23 Nov 1989 |page=23F}}
|rev2 = The Rolling Stone Album Guide
|rev2score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite book |title=The Rolling Stone Album Guide |date=1992 |publisher=Random House |pages=89–90}}
}}
The Washington Post praised the "terrific remake of 'Good Morning Heartache'."{{cite news |last1=Joyce |first1=Mike |title=Ageless R&B from Ruth Brown |work=The Washington Post |date=21 Feb 1990 |page=D7}} The Chicago Tribune noted the "rich, wise voice shaped by hard-won experience and filled with deliciously wicked wit."
The Rolling Stone Album Guide wrote that "this is a woman who describes a life lived full measure every time she sings."
Track listing
- "Nobody Knows When You're Down and Out" – 5:39
- "Good Morning Heartache" – 5:59
- "If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' on It" – 5:26
- "Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do" – 9:25
- "St. Louis Blues" – 9:35
- "Am I Blue" – 5:58
- "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" – 5:54
- "I Don't Break Dance" – 5:23 (bonus track on CD)
- "Come Sunday" – 5:25 (bonus track on CD)
Personnel
- 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
{{Reflist}}
{{Ruth Brown}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Fantasy Records albums
Category:Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female