Blues on Broadway
Ruth Brown · 1989
58 min · 9 tracks · blues
A vibrant fusion of classic blues and Broadway flair, showcasing Ruth Brown's powerful vocals and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out — This track captures the essence of hardship and resilience, with Brown's soulful delivery bringing depth to the poignant lyrics about loneliness and loss.
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Good Morning Heartache — Brown's rendition transforms this classic into a heartfelt exploration of sorrow, showcasing her ability to deliver emotional weight through nuanced vocal phrasing.
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Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do — With its bold declaration of personal freedom, this track highlights Brown's dynamic vocal prowess while encapsulating themes of autonomy that resonate throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Ruth Brown's powerful vocals and the blend of blues with theatrical elements create a distinctive listening experience.
What we noticed
- Each track features a prominent lead vocal performance by Ruth Brown, often accompanied by a full band that includes brass and piano.
- The album opens with a slow blues track and gradually introduces more upbeat tempos, culminating in a lively finale.
- Several songs incorporate theatrical elements, such as spoken word sections or dramatic pauses, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- powerful vocal performances and emotion
- reflective moments of heartfelt sorrow
- late-night introspection with depth
- vibrant storytelling through song
- soulful melodies for contemplative evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- seek instant musical gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Blues on Broadway' was released in 1989, Ruth Brown was enjoying a resurgence in her career after years of being overshadowed by younger artists. This album marked her return to the recording studio after a significant gap, reaffirming her status as a key figure in the rhythm and blues genre while also bridging traditional blues with theatrical elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Etta James· Dinah Washington· LaVern Baker
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out 5:39
- 2 Good Morning Heartache 5:58
- 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 9:24
- 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
- 9 Come Sunday 5:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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