Have a Good Time (Ruth Brown album)

Have a Good Time
Live album by
Ruth Brown
Released1988
VenueCinegrill
GenreR&B
ProducerRalph Jungheim
Ruth Brown chronology
Sweet Baby of Mine
(1987) 		Have a Good Time
(1988) 		Blues on Broadway
(1989)

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

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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 has been replaced by someone who knows everything worth knowing about phrasing, rhythm and life its ownself."[13] The Philadelphia Inquirer called Have a Good Time "a great album: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

No.TitleLength
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

  • 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

  1. ^ Deffaa, Chip (October 25, 1996). Blue Rhythms: Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues. University of Illinois Press.
  2. ^ Heim, Chris (18 Dec 1988). "R&B Revival: Ruth Brown's Comeback Is a Dream Come True". Arts. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
  3. ^ Harrington, Richard (5 Oct 1988). "On the Beat". The Washington Post. p. C7.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b Moon, Tom (2 Oct 1988). "From Ruth Brown, Soul Laced with Might". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. D8.
  6. ^ Stewart, Zan (21 June 1989). "Jazz Notes". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 7.
  7. ^ Wharton, David (2 Oct 1988). "Rediscoveries: Alan Eichler Is Bringing Vintage Cabaret Stars Back to Limelight". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 90.
  8. ^ Smith, Will (December 11, 1988). "Mel Torme's Reunion Showcases '50s". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald. p. 17.
  9. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 89–90.
  10. ^ a b "Have a Good Time". AllMusic.
  11. ^ Hadley, Frank-John (1994). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 30.
  12. ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 83.
  13. ^ Jones, Malcolm (23 Apr 1989). "Two first ladies of soul". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2F.