Have a Good Time (Ruth Brown album)
| Have a Good Time | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Live album by | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Venue | Cinegrill | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Producer | Ralph Jungheim | |||
| Ruth Brown chronology | ||||
| ||||
Have a Good Time is a live album by the American R&B singer Ruth Brown, released in 1988.[1][2] Her first album for Fantasy Records, it was a factor in Brown's late 1980s career resurgence.[3][4]
Production[edit]
Produced by Ralph Jungheim, the album was recorded at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Cinegrill.[5][6][7] Charles Williams, Red Holloway, and Bobby Forrester were members of Ruth's backing band.[8] "5-10-15 Hours", "Have a Good Time", "Teardrops from My Eyes", and "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" are remakes of four of Brown's Atlantic hits.[9]
Critical reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD | [11] |
| MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide | [12] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [9] |
The St. Petersburg Times thought that "the sheer giddiness that drove '5-10-15 Hours' or '(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean' in the originals (almost 40 years old!) has been replaced by someone who knows everything worth knowing about phrasing, rhythm and life its ownself."[13] The Philadelphia Inquirer called Have a Good Time "a great album: history without the history books," writing that Brown "tailors mighty vocal wails to the intimate environment of a jazz session, all the while playing off the charged, fiercely rhythmic accompaniment of organist Bobby Forrester."[5]
AllMusic wrote that "Brown is assisted by a fine quintet ... for fresh remakes of some of her hits, along with some newer material."[10]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You" | |
| 2. | "You Won't Let Me Go" | |
| 3. | "5-10-15 Hours" | |
| 4. | "Have a Good Time" | |
| 5. | "Teardrops from My Eyes" | |
| 6. | "Always on My Mind" | |
| 7. | "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" | |
| 8. | "When I Fall in Love" | |
| 9. | "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" | |
| 10. | "What a Wonderful World" |
Personnel[edit]
- Ruth Brown – vocals
- Charles Williams – alto sax
- Red Holloway – tenor sax
- Bobby Forrester – organ
- Bill Williams – guitar
- Clarence Bean – drums
- Ralph Jungheim – producer
- John Eargle – engineer
References[edit]
- ^ Deffaa, Chip (October 25, 1996). Blue Rhythms: Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues. University of Illinois Press.
- ^ Heim, Chris (18 Dec 1988). "R&B Revival: Ruth Brown's Comeback Is a Dream Come True". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (5 Oct 1988). "On the Beat". The Washington Post. p. C7.
- ^ Zailian, Marian (September 9, 1990). "Ruth Brown Rebuilt Her Own House – R&B queen back recording, in clubs, theater and film". Sunday Datebook. San Francisco Chronicle. p. 20.
- ^ a b Moon, Tom (2 Oct 1988). "From Ruth Brown, Soul Laced with Might". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D8.
- ^ Stewart, Zan (21 June 1989). "Jazz Notes". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 7.
- ^ Wharton, David (2 Oct 1988). "Rediscoveries: Alan Eichler Is Bringing Vintage Cabaret Stars Back to Limelight". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 90.
- ^ Smith, Will (December 11, 1988). "Mel Torme's Reunion Showcases '50s". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald. p. 17.
- ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 89–90.
- ^ a b "Have a Good Time". AllMusic.
- ^ Hadley, Frank-John (1994). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 30.
- ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 83.
- ^ Jones, Malcolm (23 Apr 1989). "Two first ladies of soul". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2F.
