Fine and Mellow (Ruth Brown album)

1991 studio album by Ruth Brown

Fine and Mellow

Studio album by

Ruth Brown

Released| 1991
Genre| R&B, blues
Label| Fantasy
Producer| Ralph Jungheim
Ruth Brown chronology
| Brown, Black & Beautiful
(1990)  | Fine and Mellow
(1991)  | The Songs of My Life
(1993)

|
|

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]

## Production

[edit]

Fine 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]

Professional ratingsReview 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

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1. ^ "Ruth Brown Biography by Bill Dahl". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
2. ^ 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.
3. ^ Hinckley, David (24 Jun 1992). "Ruth's R&B for free". Daily News. New York. p. 39.
4. ^ Heim, Chris (6 Dec 1991). "Ruth Brown returned with a new set...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
5. ^ "Album Reviews — Fine and Mellow by Ruth Brown". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 4\. Jan 25, 1992. p. 53.
6. ^ a b Anderson, John (5 Jan 1992). "A Pair of Bluesy Tributes". Fanfare. Newsday. p. 19.
7. ^ a b c "Fine and Mellow by Ruth Brown". Stereo Review. Vol. 57, no. 7\. Jul 1992. p. 67.
8. ^ a b Hadley, Frank-John (1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 31.
9. ^ a b Rutter, Frank (21 Mar 1992). "Ruth Brown Fine and Mellow". The Vancouver Sun. p. D23.
10. ^ a b c Stark, Karl (30 Jan 1992). "Ruth Brown Fine and Mellow". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C8.
11. ^ a b c "Fine and Mellow Review by Bill Dahl". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
12. ^ Wald, Elijah (12 Mar 1992). "Ruth Brown Fine and Mellow". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 6.
13. ^ a b Gallo, Mark (7 Feb 1992). "Ruth Brown gets 'Fine and Mellow' with rhythm and blues". North County Times. p. 13B.
14. ^ Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul. Virgin. p. 44.
15. ^ Boehm, Mike (26 Dec 1991). "The Big 3 Together". OC Live. Los Angeles Times. p. 6.
16. ^ Reich, Howard (17 May 1992). "Recordings". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 29.

* v
* t
* e

Ruth Brown

Studio albums|

* Ruth Brown
* Miss Rhythm
* Late Date with Ruth Brown
* The Big Band Sound of Thad Jones/Mel Lewis featuring Miss Ruth Brown
* Blues on Broadway
* Fine and Mellow
* A Good Day for the Blues

Live albums|

* Ruth Brown '65
* Have a Good Time

Singles|

* "So Long"
* "Teardrops from My Eyes"
* "5-10-15 Hours"
* "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean"
* "Oh What a Dream"
* "Mambo Baby"
* "Lucky Lips"
* "This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'"
* "Jack o' Diamonds"

Related articles|

* Amen Corner
* Black and Blue
* Jimmy Brown
* Rhythm and Blues Foundation

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