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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. After recuperating from leg surgery, Brown supported the album with several concert appearances.

Production

Fine and Mellow is an album of Brown's favorite songs. Produced by Ralph Jungheim, it was recorded with session bands in New York City and in Hollywood. The songs were arranged by Frank Owens. Rodney Jones played guitar; Herman Riley contributed on saxophone. The title track was written by Billie Holiday. "Salty Papa Blues" is a version of the song made famous by Dinah Washington. "It's Just a Matter of Time" is a cover of the Brook Benton song. "Knock Me a Kiss" is a cover of the song made famous by Louis Jordan.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD
North County Times
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Virgin Encyclopedia of R&B and Soul

Newsday wrote that Brown's "brash style never adapts to songs synonymous with other singers, but adopts them as her own." 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." The Vancouver Sun deemed Fine and Mellow "the blues in all its raunchy glory." 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."

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." 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." The North County Times labeled it a "mini-history of Black American music."

AllMusic called the album a "nice contemporary effort with a strongly swinging R&B flavor running throughout."

Track listing

References

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. ^ Anderson, John (5 Jan 1992). "A Pair of Bluesy Tributes". Fanfare. Newsday. p. 19.
7. ^ "Fine and Mellow by Ruth Brown". Stereo Review. Vol. 57, no. 7. Jul 1992. p. 67.
8. ^ Hadley, Frank-John (1993). The Grove Press Guide to the Blues on CD. Grove Press. p. 31.
9. ^ Rutter, Frank (21 Mar 1992). "Ruth Brown Fine and Mellow". The Vancouver Sun. p. D23.
10. ^ Stark, Karl (30 Jan 1992). "Ruth Brown Fine and Mellow". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C8.
11. ^ "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. ^ 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.

• Ruth Brown albums
• 1991 albums
• Fantasy Records albums