Performer Notes

Personnel: Ruth Brown (vocals); Duke Robillard (guitar); Bill Easley (flute, tenor saxophone); Victor Goines (clarinet, baritone saxophone); Ray Moore (alto saxophone); Charlie Miller, Abram Wilson (trumpet); John Touchy (trombone); Davell Crawford, Bobby Forrester (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); James Singleton (bass); Akira Tana (drums).
Recorded at Ultrasonic Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana in July & August, 1998. Includes liner notes by Scott Billington.
A GOOD DAY FOR THE BLUES was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Personnel: Ruth Brown (vocals); Duke Robillard (guitar); Bill Easley (flute, tenor saxophone); Victor Goines (clarinet, baritone saxophone); Ray Moore (alto saxophone); Charlie Miller (trumpet); John Touchy (trombone); Davell Crawford, Bobby Forrester (piano); Akira Tana (drums).
Audio Mixer: Steve Reynolds.
Liner Note Author: Scott Billington.
Recording information: Ultrasonic Studios, New Orleans, LA (07/1998-08/1998).
Photographer: Shonna Valeska.
Arrangers: Victor Goines; Wardell Quezergue; Bill Easley.
On the Grammy-nominated A GOOD DAY FOR THE BLUES, "Miss Rhythm" continued to show she could still show off plenty of sass and brass after 50 years in the music business. One of Brown's strengths is the way she treats a ballad, whether she's twisting and stretching out the standard "Never Let Me Go" or turning Steve Goodman's "A Lover Is Forever" into a cocktail-lounge weeper.
Backed by a crack band that includes talented guitarist Duke Robillard, Miss Brown keeps the mood entertaining. Standout numbers include the Dixieland traditional "Cabbage Head," the humorous "Can't Stand a Broke Man," and the childhood parable "H.B.'s Funky Fable," all in which Brown takes on the guise of characters (including a no-nonsense spouse and a variety of woodland creatures). Not surprisingly, Brown also excels at more upbeat material, including the snappy "Be Good to Me Tonight" and the Johnny Otis shuffle "Ice Water in Your Veins." The most unexpected turn comes on a reading of the R. Kelly smash "I Believe I Can Fly," which Brown turns into sweeping epic that benefits from a slow buildup.

Professional Reviews

Q (7/99, p.105) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...still on gusty form, [Brown's] vocals [encourage] guitarist Duke Robillard and keyboardist Bobby Forrester to reach even greater heights..."

Dirty Linen (2-3/00, p.82) - "...demonstrates once and for all that Brown has vocal chops that few in the r&b business can equal....a pure pumping shot of double-crossed love gone real, gone bad. Genius in motion..."

Living Blues (5-6/99, p.70) - "Ruth Brown proves her timelessness and rootedness with a deftly delivered selection of torch songs, ballads and blues....[GOOD DAY] is brought fully to life by plush arrangements...and expertly articulated solos..."

Album: Good Day for the Blues
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Good Day for the Blues
2)	Can't Stand a Broke Man
3)	Never Let Me Go
4)	Hangin' by a Shoestring
5)	H.B.'s Funky Fable
6)	Lover Is Forever, A
7)	Ice Water in Your Veins
8)	True
9)	Cabbage Head
10)	Richest One, The
11)	Be Good to Me Tonight
12)	I Believe I Can Fly

Album: Good Day for the Blues
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Good Day for the Blues
2)	Can't Stand a Broke Man
3)	Never Let Me Go
4)	Hangin' by a Shoestring
5)	H.B.'s Funky Fable
6)	Lover Is Forever, A
7)	Ice Water in Your Veins
8)	True
9)	Cabbage Head
10)	Richest One, The
11)	Be Good to Me Tonight
12)	I Believe I Can Fly