A Good Day for the Blues
Ruth Brown · 1999
60 min · 12 tracks · blues
Soulful melodies and heartfelt storytelling intertwine with Ruth Brown's powerful vocals, capturing the essence of contemporary blues.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Good Day for the Blues — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of resilience and hope, highlighting Brown's rich vocal delivery alongside a classic blues arrangement.
-
→
Can’t Stand a Broken Man — This track features poignant storytelling about heartbreak and loss, underpinned by Brown's emotive phrasing that resonates deeply with listeners.
-
→
I Believe I Can Fly — A soulful reinterpretation of the classic song, Brown infuses it with her unique style, transforming it into an anthem of empowerment and perseverance.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional blues with contemporary elements, showcasing Ruth Brown's vocal prowess and storytelling.
What we noticed
- The first track sets a mid-tempo groove that is maintained through the next three songs, before shifting to slower ballads in the latter half.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional blues instrumentation, such as harmonica and guitar solos, which enhance the authenticity of the sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt storytelling through vocals
- soulful melodies for reflective moments
- steady pacing with emotional depth
- cathartic release of themes
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced, upbeat tracks
- want purely instrumental music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1999, A Good Day for the Blues marked Ruth Brown's first studio album in over a decade, showcasing her return to music after a period of relative quiet. This album comes after her acclaimed career revival in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which saw her receive recognition as a pioneer of R&B.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Etta James· Dinah Washington· LaVern Baker
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Can’t Stand a Broken Man
The narrative shifts from personal pain to universal understanding of heartache through vivid imagery.
This shift allows listeners to connect their own experiences of love and loss to the song's message, enhancing its emotional impact.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Good Day for the Blues 4:36
- 2 Can’t Stand a Broken Man 4:47
- 3 Never Let Me Go 4:35
- 4 Hangin’ by a Shoestring 3:13
- 5 H.B.’s Funky Fable 8:06
- 6 A Lover Is Forever 4:43
- 7 Ice Water in Your Veins 3:36
- 8 True 4:34
- 9 Cabbage Head 6:08
- 10 The Richest One 7:58
- 11 Be Good to Me Tonight 3:49
- 12 I Believe I Can Fly 4:24
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.