Rock 'n' Roll - Ruth Brown

johnaalex
Sep 13
3 min read

Released 10^th February 2025. Available on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/3E9oi3tXUmxusYC0Qd4gEb

Record Label- Little Starlight Records

Reviewed by Terry Mead. 08/09/2025

Rock & Roll, released in 1957, was Ruths first album but encapsulated seven years of quality recordings for Atlantic which, along with The Clovers, had effectively shifted the New York company Atlantic from its uncertain beginnings as a jazz label to being one of the most highly regarded purveyors of R&B and pop-oriented rock’n’roll. The earliest track, So Long, was also one of the first Brown did for the company, recorded in May 1949. Boss Ahmet Ertegun had signed her in 1948 because he’d been desperate to find a young artist who sounded like Dinah Washington. However, a serious car accident had sidelined Ruth for several months.

Musicians on album include:

Ruth Brown-Vocals

Dick Cary – alto horn

Bobby Hackett, Taft Jordan, Ed "Tiger" Lewis – trumpet

Will Bradley, Richard Harris – trombone

Peanuts Hucko – clarinet, tenor saxophone

Arnett Cobb, Willis Jackson, Sam Taylor – tenor saxophone

Ernie Caceres, Haywood Henry, Sylvester Thomas, Paul Williams – baritone saxophone

Joe Bushkin, Ernie Hayes, John Lewis, Bu Pleasant, Harry Van Walls – piano

Rector Bailey, Mickey Baker, John Collins, Eddie Condon – guitar

George Duvivier, Jack Lesberg, Benny Moten, Lloyd Trotman – bass

Sidney Catlett, Connie Kay, Joe Marshall, Noruddin Zafer – drums

The Delta Rhythm Boys, The Rhythmakers – backing vocals

Album Review:

There are some of Ruth's biggest hits on this album namely “Lucky Lips, As Long As I’m Moving, Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean” etc buts lets talk about some of the not so well-known tracks.

“Wild Wild Young Men” recorded in 1953 and written by Ahmet Ertegun was a superb jiver with a characteristic R&B beat which was changed by Johnny Carroll three years later into a Rockabilly number giving the title “Wild Wild Woman”.

“Daddy Daddy” recorded in 1952 is a more subdued affair with a raunchy sax giving Ruth her sixth top ten in the Billboard Magazine.

“Hello Little Boy” was the flip side to “If I Had Any Sense” written by Ruth and recorded in 1954.It sung and played at a crazy pace one for the Lindy Hoppers.

The 1955 recording of “Its Love Baby (24 Hours A Day)” gives Ruth a tune that in this day and age would suit the strollers. It’s a neat laid-back piece with a pleasant sax break.

Sentimental Journey released in 1950 is a cover of Les Brown & His Orchestra’s 1944 recording which features Doris Day on the chorus vocals. Ruth is backed here by The Delta Rhythm Boys which add a real depth to the track.

“Old Man River” the flip side to “I Want To Do More” in 1955 was another cover of Oscar Hammerstein’s 1925 show tune for the 1927 production of “Show Boat”. Ruth jazz’s it up to a mid-tempo beat with some backdrop harmonising.

“So Long” was Ruth’s first recording for Atlantic in 1949 again a cover from 1940 by Russ Morgan & His Orchestra, this time its kept to its original format with Ruth emphasizing her strong voice on the high notes.

Ending the album with “Oh What A Dream” a Doo Wop number with a gospel hint is a 1954 blues song written by Chuck Willis and originally performed by Ruth Brown backed by members of The Drifters (only credited as her Rhythmakers). The single was Brown's fourth number one on the U.S. R&B chart.

So, how cool to have all these tracks refreshed again from the Queen of R&B Recommend hell yes.

https://youtube.com/shorts/nw5ZFMTwntY?si=KwXSTYMAHYdiI7Co

Track List:

01 – Lucky Lips

02 – As Long as I’m Moving

03 – Wild Wild Young Men

04 – Daddy Daddy

05 – Mambo Baby

06 – Teardrops from My Eyes

07 – Hello Little Boy

08 – Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean

09 – 5 -10 -15 Hours